|
Everyone is posting about how their foam-on-top-of-coil mattresses crap out with permanent depressions after anywhere from a few months to a year. I'm wondering what people's experience is with the longevity of the latex mattresses? I'm about to spring for a 10" latex mattress set (yes, all latex) but it's about $2.5k, and I'm worried I'm going to end up with the same problem. That's a lot of money to lay out to end up with back-wrenching body depressions. For the record, I am going with the Custom Comfort Mattress Company (local company in Orange County, CA) latex mattress, they use LI blended Talalay latex (Talatech), there will be a six inch firmer core with 2" softer latex on the top and on the bottom (because their mattresses are two sided). Has anyone here had a latex mattress for a significant length of time (say 3-5 years) and have experience with whether the latex holds up? |
|
KimberlyH wrote: Everyone is posting about how their foam-on-top-of-coil mattresses crap out with permanent depressions after anywhere from a few months to a year. I'm wondering what people's experience is with the longevity of the latex mattresses? I'm about to spring for a 10" latex mattress set (yes, all latex) but it's about $2.5k, and I'm worried I'm going to end up with the same problem. That's a lot of money to lay out to end up with back-wrenching body depressions. For the record, I am going with the Custom Comfort Mattress Company (local company in Orange County, CA) latex mattress, they use LI blended Talalay latex (Talatech), there will be a six inch firmer core with 2" softer latex on the top and on the bottom (because their mattresses are two sided). Has anyone here had a latex mattress for a significant length of time (say 3-5 years) and have experience with whether the latex holds up? Kimberly: The whole business with latex is confusing when it shouldn't be. Human beings, for ever and a day, tend to not get their terms correct. The term latex is a perfect example of this. This term is being used for many different substances that are not the same. Even within the proper terminology for latex you have two different processes for manufacturing it, which add to the confusion. If everybody would agree that the term latex only applied to natural 100% latex taken from the rubber tree, it would go a long way towards clarification. But unfortunately this is not the case. The term latex is used to mean petroleum-based synthetic latex, a blend of synthetic and natural latex, and on and on into the dark night. Most of the breaking down in foam beds, that is referred to as latex, is not latex at all, as I use the term. But rather is synthetic foam of many different types. If someone with a big enough stick were to step in and require that the mattress industry could only use the term latex when applied to 100% natural organic rubber, then we might have some chance of proper communication. Until that is done however, you’re going to have to learn to read between the lines and the fine print. To further confuse the situation, according to many, (and I cannot dispute them because I do not have the experience to dispute them), they claimed that some blends of synthetic latex and organic latex actually prove to be a better type of core. I will end this by making the following statement. I just ordered a custom-made 100% natural organic latex mattress. It is expensive. But it is my belief, after reading this forum for several weeks and everything else I can get my eyes on, on the Internet, that my 100% natural organic latex will outlast all of the synthetic latex, whether it is blended or not. So I’m putting my money where my mouth is. Kim: For what it is worth, it sounds as if you have a all natural latex mattress. The only word you used I would question was the word "Blend". LI makes both 100% natural Talalay, also a blend of 100% natural and synthetic. I hope you enjoy your new bed. This message was modified Sep 16, 2009 by eagle2
|
|
Well I said in my post that they use Talatech latex from LI - talatech is a blend of natural and synthetic latex. I agree with you about the confusion over latex - both the processing method and the type of latex used - natural, synthetic or blend. There is actually no hard data about one form of latex being more durable than another. Everything every website says is pure assertion. After reading, and reading, and reading, I've actually come to a different conclusion than you and feel that I have a better chance at a more durable product if I use blended Talalay latex - the idea being that the blend is a more uniform product than "100% natural organic." I think all anyone can do is read up on the manufacturing processes, the pros and cons of 100% natural latex vs. 100% synthetic latex vs a blended latex and make your own decision about what is right for you. What I'm interested in is who has had a latex mattress for a number of years (leaving aside the questions of what kind it is) and how well it's held up. |
|
Your are right about the confusion. The usage seems to be pretty clear. Any where from a min. of 10 years to more like 15 to 30 years. I have not read in any of my many weeks of reading anyone not getting at least 10 years, and most much longer. |
| Latex International warrants their blended talalay for a longer period of time then their 100% natural talalay. At least they used to. I own both, and I prefer the blended talalay. |
|
MequonJim wrote: Latex International warrants their blended talalay for a longer period of time then their 100% natural talalay. At least they used to. I own both, and I prefer the blended talalay. Jim: I appreciate your post. What is it about the blended Talalay that you like more, compared to the 100% natural Talalay? I am quite curious because this is not the normal reaction that I have read on the Internet. I'm also quite interested because I just ordered today a 100% all natural organic Talalay mattress from FlowBeds. FlowBeds uses all LI Talalay both blended and 100% natural. And by the way Jim, what percentage blend do you have? 60% synthetic/40% natural, etc. This message was modified Sep 16, 2009 by eagle2
|
|
I like the consistency of the blended talalay better. Both are Latex International products. I'm not sure what ratio the blend is. Both are high quality products, but I like the blended a bit more. I also own some foam by mail latex, which is very low quality. Not comparable to LI latex in any meaningful way. |
|
MequonJim wrote: I like the consistency of the blended talalay better. Both are Latex International products. I'm not sure what ratio the blend is. Both are high quality products, but I like the blended a bit more. I also own some foam by mail latex, which is very low quality. Not comparable to LI latex in any meaningful way. Jim: I believe I read someplace that Latex Internationals blended product was a 65% synthetic 35% natural Talalay. But I'm sure they could make it any blend that a customer wanted, as long as that customer was buying sufficient volume. The other thing that I have heard about a blended product is that you can purchase it in a stiffer configuration. This might prove useful as a bottom layer in a mattress. The latex by mail that you referenced, could be almost anything, but my guess would be that it is some form of cheap synthetic. If this works out like I am hoping then I may never find out what blended products are like. My bed is going to be made up of 100% natural organic Talalay latex produced by Latex International. At this point in time that is all that FlowBeds uses. At least that is my understanding.Dave Turner of Flowbeds has been in the business for 30 years and feels like the Latex International product is the best for him, as he has a great deal of experience in this area as he used to buy Dunlop from Sir Lanka. This message was modified Sep 17, 2009 by eagle2
|
|
I have both the blended and the natural Latex Internal Latex and I find them both very high quality with a preference for the natural in my pillows next to my face (psychological just knowing it is natural) but no preference for the latex cores since I find my allergies are not bothered by the blended latex and it is just as nice as the natural. I had bought a synthetic latex pillow NOT from Latex International and had allergic reactions to it and had to give it away. I never had or have any problems with Talalay Latex so their cleaning process must be very good. I love my Talaly latex bed from FloBeds and I love my Talalay latex 1" soft topper from Brylane Homes. I returned the 2" convoluted latex topper from FloBeds and I put the 1" topper I bought from Brylane Homes under the zippered cover. I like that my topper has no glued seams and is so soft and just the perfect thickness for me since I am petite. |
|
Hi Jim! Was it you who had posted pix comparing the two - LI vs fbm's latex? I had tried to find that thread again a couple weeks ago, but couldn't find it... Would you mind pointing me to it, please? I've been waffling over spending the extra $$$ on LI... Budget's a little tight. In your personal opinion, would FBM's latex still be ok for a bottom layer? Also, I forget - do you tend to like a firmer or softer feel? I like firm mattresses (prefer sleeping on my stomach, but due to my current old mattress killing my lower back when I do that, have been sleeping on my side, but I cannot fall into a deep sleep on my back!). So, I had been thinking of a couple options: Option 1: All LI latex (probably from sleeplikeabear or sleepez (think sleepez's latex might be from one of 4 places though, rather than definitely all LI, according to what I read on their site)) 3" 100% natural - Dunlop process for firm base 3" medium 30-32 ILD Blended Talalay for top layer Option 2: 6" of FBM's firm (33-38 ILD) Talalay (they don't offer the firm in a 3" that I can see - maybe their Medium (32 ILD) would be firm enough? But they say it's Talalay, not Dunlop, and I've been reading Dunlop feels firmer...) for base 3" medium 30-32 ILD Blended Talalay made by LI for top layer (same as option 1) I did buy the Natura Washable Wool Fitted Mattress Pad from dreamsoftbedware.com to use as a topper (description: Natura's Washable Wool Fitted Mattress pad has a 3/4 inch layer of pure wool fill quilted inside a 100% cotton sateen cover.) Picked this one because I didn't think it would be too thick and leave me feeling like I had to crawl out of my mattress, and it's washable! Do you, or any of the other most excellent contributors to this forum, have any thoughts/opinions on this set up? I'm 5'4", 140lbs, and "curvy" (read: big hips and butt, but small waist) Thanks! |
And some kind soul (forget who - sorry!) had let the forum know about a 30% off code for Labor Day!
if that helps with the advice... I appreciate your all's time!! Hope I'm not committing any faux pas's by tagging my request for opinions/advice onto your thread, Kimberly?? Please excuse if so!!|
Here's the link to MequonJim's post: http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/foam-mail-latex-latex-international-latex-comparison/5397-0-1.html |
|
mattressnewbie wrote: Hi Jim! Was it you who had posted pix comparing the two - LI vs fbm's latex? I had tried to find that thread again a couple weeks ago, but couldn't find it... Would you mind pointing me to it, please? I've been waffling over spending the extra $$$ on LI... Budget's a little tight. In your personal opinion, would FBM's latex still be ok for a bottom layer? Also, I forget - do you tend to like a firmer or softer feel? I like firm mattresses (prefer sleeping on my stomach, but due to my current old mattress killing my lower back when I do that, have been sleeping on my side, but I cannot fall into a deep sleep on my back!). So, I had been thinking of a couple options: Option 1: All LI latex (probably from sleeplikeabear or sleepez (think sleepez's latex might be from one of 4 places though, rather than definitely all LI, according to what I read on their site)) 3" 100% natural - Dunlop process for firm base 3" medium 30-32 ILD Blended Talalay for top layer Option 2: 6" of FBM's firm (33-38 ILD) Talalay (they don't offer the firm in a 3" that I can see - maybe their Medium (32 ILD) would be firm enough? But they say it's Talalay, not Dunlop, and I've been reading Dunlop feels firmer...) for base 3" medium 30-32 ILD Blended Talalay made by LI for top layer (same as option 1) I did buy the Natura Washable Wool Fitted Mattress Pad from dreamsoftbedware.com to use as a topper (description: Natura's Washable Wool Fitted Mattress pad has a 3/4 inch layer of pure wool fill quilted inside a 100% cotton sateen cover.) Picked this one because I didn't think it would be too thick and leave me feeling like I had to crawl out of my mattress, and it's washable! Do you, or any of the other most excellent contributors to this forum, have any thoughts/opinions on this set up? I'm 5'4", 140lbs, and "curvy" (read: big hips and butt, but small waist) Thanks! Hi Mary, Yes, it was me that posted those pictures. Someone else linked the thread above. In my opinion, it is not worth the risk in buying FBM for a bottom layer. Especially for a stomach sleeper. In my experience with the company (2 purchases of 3 total items) their ILDs are all over the place. Even within my 6" firm core, I can flip it over and get vastly different firmness. I think one side may be firm enough for stomach sleeping, but there is no guarantee that a core you get would have a firm enough side. The other side of my 6" firm core is not even close to being firm enough for stomach sleeping. It would destroy your body in short time. That experience, plus their return policy [worst in the industry that I am aware of], are not worth the potential savings, in my opinion. You are better off going with a source that can provide quality latex and paying accordingly. This is an investment that will last a long time, and something you spend 1/3 of your life in direct contact with. A poor mattress can do serious damage to your health. Is it possible that you can go somewhere and try out some of these mattress layer ideas? Or anything similar? Otherwise, with stomach sleeping you definitely want a very firm base and just enough cush that you will not toss and turn. Best of luck to you! |
|
Thanks for posting the link, Jimsocal!! MequonJim, Thanks for the quick reply and for the advice!! Yeah - I tried looking for someplace that carried latex mattresses but only really came up with IKEA, so I tried theirs. The one that I liked the best was the Erfjord because it was nice and firm - I believe someone said it was made with Dunlop processed latex? That's why I was thinking of going with a Dunlop-processed latex for my base/bottom layer with a firm ILD (sleepez has them with 38-40 ILD). Do you think this would be a good idea? Would 3" be enough for my "bottom layer"? Or do you think I'd need 6" of that? I was going to put 3" of Talalay-processed blended latex with a medium (30-32) ILD on top of it (was thinking "blended" because folks were saying it had "spring" so I was thinking that sounded like I wouldn't get that "sinking" feeling, but might provide some cushion...) Do you think this set up would provide enough firmness for a belly sleeper? Would it be TOO firm? Guess I could always add an inch of something if that were the case... I welcome anyone's opinions who care to respond!! Thanks to everyone for all the input and advice!!! Really appreciate it!!! Mary |
|
I would think 6" total thickness would be a minimum. It may work out for you with that configuration, I'm not absolutely sure. I guess you could always add another layer if need be. I don't have your curves, but I suppose they would be more significant if you were a side sleeper. It is always a tough call with this do it yourself stuff. So if you can, buy from a place with a reasonable return/exchange policy, that might be your best bet. I hope you find what you are looking for. |
|
MequonJim, Thanks again for the reply and your opinions!! I apologize if you've already posted this in another thread, but for reference, could you please let me know what kind of foundation you have your bed on? I was reading in some of the other posts, that this can really make a difference in how firm a bed feels! Thanks!!! |
| I have a platform bed that is very sturdy and the slat spacing is 1.5" I would consider it very firm with no flex. |