The perfect latex/PU foam mattress for $766
Dec 1, 2007 1:40 PM
Joined: Sep 3, 2007
Points: 167
Okay, we like our 1" 20ILD FBM topper so much that I started working on a theoretical "perfect" latex and PU foam mattress. It is made of multiple 2" layers of very dense foams and a 1" soft latex top, for longevity and versatility. One can arrange the layers in a number of different orders to achieve the feel they are looking for, and not risk having to send a layer back. This some what limits the risk of buying on-line. Steve2U had good luck in getting FBM to ship the correct density HQ foam, so I do not think you'd have to worry about that. And PU foam in 2.5 to 2.9lb density should last 10-15 years. This is an 11" mattress, which leaves 1 additional inch you could add if you need to soften it up and maintain a 12" maximum thickness. If you need more support, just move one of the PU layers (36 or 50ILD) closer to the top. One could order all the layers in split sizes except for the 20ILD top (and maybe one of the 32ILD layers), which should be single piece. This would allow each partner to arrange his/her side independently.

1" FBM 20ILD talalay latex  $85 (or 1" BrylaneHome latex topper, pending reviews here) $65

2" FBM 32ILD talalay latex  $170

2" FBM 36ILD HQ foam (2.5 lb dense base foam) $111

2" FBM 32ILD talalay latex  $170

2" FBM LUX HQ foam (2.9 lb dense, approx 50ILD base foam) $115

2" FBM LUX HQ foam (2.9 lb dense, approx 50ILD base foam) $115

All prices are for king size, shipped. Again, one should weigh, individually, the HQ foam form FBM to assure that they sent the correct density. I haven't bothered with zoning, as all the cutting and gluing seems daunting. Feel free to recommend changes to the "perfect" foam mattress.

Re: The perfect latex/PU foam mattress for $766
Reply #4 Dec 3, 2007 12:22 PM
Joined: Sep 3, 2007
Points: 167
I've changed the "perfect latex/PU foam mattress" below. I deleted one 32ILD latex layer and changed one of the 50ILD PU layers to another 36ILD PU. I kept the 1" 20ILD top. One could always add another 1" if they needed it softer. Changing the 36 for one 50 is because this mattress is anticipated to be placed on a firm foundation, and 50 is very firm itself. One could move the 50 up higher if more firmness is desired. This is now a 9" mattress, which leaves 3" to play with. It now costs merely $487, shipped!

1" FBM 20ILD talalay latex  $85 (or 1" BrylaneHome latex topper, pending reviews here) $65

2" FBM 32ILD talalay latex  $170

2" Foamdistributing.com 36ILD HQ foam (2.5 lb dense base foam) $80

2" Foamdistributing.com 36ILD HQ foam (2.5 lb dense base foam) $80

2" Foamdistributing.com LUX HQ foam (2.9 lb dense, approx 50ILD base foam) $82

This message was modified Dec 3, 2007 by donw
Re: The perfect latex/PU foam mattress for $766
Reply #5 Dec 3, 2007 12:59 PM
Joined: Oct 28, 2007
Points: 69
foamdistributing.com (FBM site) has Twin and King foam for cheaper - other sizes state "Coming Soon!". I'll have something close to the set-up you listed:

1" Not sure yet - maybe soft poly

2" FBM 32ILD talalay latex $170

3" FBM 36ILD HQ foam (2.5 lb dense base foam) $119

4" FBM LUX HQ foam (2.9 lb dense, approx 50ILD base foam) $161

9" Homemade slat foundation $80 + more labor than I thought.

That puts me at $530 + about $50 in shipping fees that I'll have when I return my Sensus topper. If I like it this way, I'll likely order 2 more inches of LUX to add height. If I don't like it, I'm just going to quit sleeping...problem solved.
This message was modified Dec 3, 2007 by steve2u
Re: The perfect latex/PU foam mattress for $766
Reply #6 Dec 3, 2007 1:27 PM
Joined: Sep 3, 2007
Points: 167
Steve, that sounds good - I hope it works for you. Soft PU is usually 12ILD or so -- very soft. And it is never very dense -- 1.2lbs/ft^2 or so. It can add some softness, but usually, you feel whatever is beneath it. Since it's not very dense, you'll have to replace it more often. Of course it is really cheap. We really love our 1" 20ILD FBM latex and feel it is plenty soft. As you probably know, though, others have had different luck with FBM 20ILD latex (felt it was too firm). It must vary a lot. I checked out that FBM "wholesale" site, and the prices are great! Too bad they don't sell their latex there. I edited my last post with these new numbers.
Re: The perfect latex/PU foam mattress for $766
Reply #7 Dec 3, 2007 2:49 PM
Joined: Oct 28, 2007
Points: 69
I actually want my latex layer to be a little on the firm side to give my mattress a little more spring than the poly gives. I'll still have a lot of room to soften it up if needed. Maybe I'll look into 1" of 20ILD latex instead of soft poly.
Re: The perfect latex/PU foam mattress for $766
Reply #8 Dec 5, 2007 6:05 AM
Joined: Sep 7, 2007
Points: 476
I'd go with the 20 ILD latex over soft PU any day. Soft latex will last at least 15 years (provided you keep it covered and protected from UV light.) Soft PU foam will last maybe 3 years if you're lucky, and will probably compress long before it starts to degrade.
This message was modified Dec 5, 2007 by cloud9
Re: The perfect latex/PU foam mattress for $766
Reply #9 Dec 8, 2007 8:23 AM
Joined: Nov 25, 2007
Points: 53
If I could do it again:

2" FBM 20ILD talalay latex $160

4" FBM 32ILD talalay latex  $340

2" FBM 36ILD HQ foam (2.5 lb dense base foam) $80

4" FBM LUX HQ foam (2.9 lb dense, approx 50ILD base foam) $161

Re: The perfect latex/PU foam mattress for $766
Reply #10 Dec 8, 2007 8:39 AM
Joined: Nov 15, 2007
Points: 157
To be honest, I find all this you guys are doing very confusing. Not sure how you figure out what you need for a built yourself foam bed?
Re: The perfect latex/PU foam mattress for $766
Reply #11 Dec 8, 2007 12:45 PM
Joined: Sep 3, 2007
Points: 167
Novahelp, my concept here is to order multiple thin (2" or less) layers of varying firmness, so that one could rearrange the order of them to achieve the balance of softness and support that works best for them. Latex for comfort layers and HQ PU foam for base layers. If it's still not soft enough, then one could order another latex comfort layer.
Re: The perfect latex/PU foam mattress for $766
Reply #12 Dec 8, 2007 2:15 PM
Joined: Nov 15, 2007
Points: 157
donw wrote:
Novahelp, my concept here is to order multiple thin (2" or less) layers of varying firmness, so that one could rearrange the order of them to achieve the balance of softness and support that works best for them. Latex for comfort layers and HQ PU foam for base layers. If it's still not soft enough, then one could order another latex comfort layer.

Seems like it is a bit of a gamble given the cost to ship foams back and forth right?
Re: The perfect latex/PU foam mattress for $766
Reply #13 Dec 8, 2007 4:48 PM
Joined: Nov 25, 2007
Points: 53
novahelp wrote:
Seems like it is a bit of a gamble given the cost to ship foams back and forth right?



Sure, but the upside is getting a mattress that will last far longer than the S brands for a reasonable price. 

Once I weighed my options, I chose the DIY approach, Flobeds and Sleepez were in the running, but they suffer fron the same shipping issue.