Question about latex and ILD
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Hi everyone :-) I'm in dire need of a new mattress and, thanks to this forum, I've decided that latex is probably the best way to go. I'm planning to purchase a mattress/topper combo from foambymail.com, but I have a question regarding the ILD of the latex. I've seen it mentioned in a couple of different threads that the 6" firm mattress cut in half is equivalent to two 3" medium toppers. So if I were to extrapolate using that information, you can essentially create a firmer sleeping surface by adding more layers of the same ILD. Does this sound correct? I'm currently sleeping on an Aerus Natural memory foam mattress that is comprised of 3" of 4 lb. memory foam over a polyurethane core, and it is like sleeping on a mushy slab of granite -- pressure points galore! I want to avoid making the same mistake of having a squishy comfort layer over a too-firm core, and so I was thinking of purchasing the medium density matress (26-32 ILD) and a 3" soft topper (20 ILD). From what I've gathered, foambymail's ILDs actually run a little higher than specified. If I'm a side sleeper who prefers a plushy, pillowy feel to her mattress, do you think this set up will best suit my needs? I've deduced that I can add another layer of medium density latex foam to create a firmer core, if needed. Hoping for confirmation of that theory! Thanks in advance for any input! |
Re: Question about latex and ILD
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That theory of 2 mediums becoming harder... where did you get that? I am skeptical... Can anyone here confirm that? I thought it you put 2 x 3" latex medium ILD's together you would get 6" of medium ILD... No? It will feel firmer, maybe, yes, but it will still be medium ILD, no? |
Re: Question about latex and ILD
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<BR> jimsocal wrote: That theory of 2 mediums becoming harder... where did you get that? I am skeptical...<BR>Can anyone here confirm that? I thought it you put 2 x 3&quot; latex medium ILD's together you would get 6&quot; of medium ILD... No?<BR>It will feel firmer, maybe, yes, but it will still be medium ILD, no?<BR> <BR>Apparently the customer service rep at foambymail.com said that they get their 3" medium density toppers by cutting the firm density mattresses in half. So I naturally assumed that throwing layers of the same ILD on top of one another would create a firmer sleeping surface...or at least I'm hoping that's the case, because I really don't want to order the firm mattress and end up with the same type of problematic mattress situation I have now (soft comfort layer over hard core). Do you have any experience layering latex toppers for a firmer/softer feel? From reading through the archives, I see that one person couldn't soften a firm latex mattress no matter what configurations she tried, yet another person swore that the firm mattress wasn't supportive enough and he was unable to create a firmer sleeping surface. I have pelvic issues and can't bear sleeping on too-firm surfaces, so comfortable, cushy support is imperative for me. The assessments of the ILDs seem to vary drastically from person to person on this forum...I'm just trying to figure out what arrangement would work best for my particular needs. If you can offer any further insight, I'd really appreciate it :-)<BR>This message was modified May 22, 2009 by Zzzzzzzspleaze
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Re: Question about latex and ILD
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Maybe McDll or someone can answer this. I'm no latex expert but my experience with HR foam seems to indicate that 2 x 1" foams of medium ILD on top of each other still creates a medium ILD. They do say that a thicker block of foam provides more support, so maybe there is something to what you are saying. I'm not sure. I am hoping someone else who knows, will respond to this. I feel that your best bet is to buy two pieces of different ILD then you can get varying ILD by putting one on top of the other, then if that's too hard/soft, switch them around. For example if I were going to buy 3" of latex for toppers, I"d rather buy 1½ of 24ILD and 1½ of 28ILD to make up the 3". Then I could put the soft one on top, try that and if it's too soft I could then put the firm one on top and try that. Problem is, you may not be able to get 1½ inches thick toppers. But maybe you could get a 1" one and a 2" one and do the same thing... This message was modified May 22, 2009 by jimsocal
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Re: Question about latex and ILD
| Cutting &/or layering foam does not change ILD. |
Re: Question about latex and ILD
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<BR> jimsocal wrote: I feel that your best bet is to buy two pieces of different ILD then you can get varying ILD by putting one on top of the other, then if that's too hard/soft, switch them around. <BR>Ah, now I'm confused. If I could, I would purchase a Flobed and have unlimited options for customizing the firmness, but my budget won't accomodate it, so I'm trying to accurately gauge which ILDs would best suit my needs, then get an inexpensive core and topper. The core/topper combo seems to have worked out well for the majority of those who've posted to this forum, but I'm still nervous about plunking down the cash for such a major purchase without being to try out the combination in advance. Not to mention, FBM's sketchy business practices don't exactly instill confidence. At this point, I'm thinking of purchasing a topper and giving it a fair trial before investing in the mattress.<BR><BR>There's just too much to take into consideration and my poor brain is about to implode...sleepless nights on an uncomfortable mattress aren't helping matters! Thanks for the reply :-)<BR>This message was modified May 23, 2009 by Zzzzzzzspleaze
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Re: Question about latex and ILD
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MequonJim wrote: Cutting &/or layering foam does not change ILD. That seems like the logical answer to me! I have no idea what the deal is with slicing a firm mattress in half and getting two medium toppers. I guess someone at FBM doesn't know what the hell they're talking about, or they're doing some terribly misguided things to their latex. I have no idea. I so desperately wanted a latex mattress because of my allergies and chemical sensitivities, but FBM is the only company with a product that fits within my price range. It's heart-breaking, exploring your options and discovering that virtually every product on the market is ridiculously overpriced, ergo, beyond your budget. Latex International has effectively monopolized the U.S. latex bedding market, you know. Maybe I'll just stick with innerspring. Bah. |
Re: Question about latex and ILD
| Maybe innerspring with a latex topper would work well for your budget and still help the allergies. |
Re: Question about latex and ILD
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Hi everyone :-) I'm in dire need of a new mattress and, thanks to this forum, I've decided that latex is probably the best way to go. I'm planning to purchase a mattress/topper combo from foambymail.com, but I have a question regarding the ILD of the latex. I've seen it mentioned in a couple of different threads that the 6" firm mattress cut in half is equivalent to two 3" medium toppers. So if I were to extrapolate using that information, you can essentially create a firmer sleeping surface by adding more layers of the same ILD. Does this sound correct? I'm currently sleeping on an Aerus Natural memory foam mattress that is comprised of 3" of 4 lb. memory foam over a polyurethane core, and it is like sleeping on a mushy slab of granite -- pressure points galore! I want to avoid making the same mistake of having a squishy comfort layer over a too-firm core, and so I was thinking of purchasing the medium density matress (26-32 ILD) and a 3" soft topper (20 ILD). From what I've gathered, foambymail's ILDs actually run a little higher than specified. If I'm a side sleeper who prefers a plushy, pillowy feel to her mattress, do you think this set up will best suit my needs? I've deduced that I can add another layer of medium density latex foam to create a firmer core, if needed. |
Re: Question about latex and ILD
| I'm the person who posted the original info from FBM about a 6" firm cut in half becoming two 3" mediums. I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now. Fortunately, my purchase from FBM turned out to be a success. But I wish they were more forthcoming about the the merchandise they sell. |
Re: Question about latex and ILD
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Thanks for the replies, everyone :-) I'm getting closer to making a definitive decision here thanks to all the great feedback (and the archives were extremely helpful). I think I'm going to start a new thread to address questions about Dunlop latex (which I'm now leaning towards). Beanie wrote: I'm the person who posted the original info from FBM about a 6" firm cut in half becoming two 3" mediums. I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now. Fortunately, my purchase from FBM turned out to be a success. But I wish they were more forthcoming about the the merchandise they sell. Your raves were instrumental in leading me to the FBM site to check out their cores and toppers...I'm glad your mattress set-up is still working for you! I sent FBM an email inquiring into the origin of their latex products, and mentioned that I'd love to share that information with other prospective customers on a mattress forum, so hopefully they'll decide that now is a good time to divulge some information. I would've already placed an order with them if it weren't for their cageyness. My poor mother nearly had a heart attack when I told her I was thinking of purchasing latex from an unknown source: "What if it's from CHINA?! MELAMINE!!!" I think that's a little on the dramatic, overly alarmist side, but I do have multiple chemical sensitivities and would like to know that my latex has been cleansed of all the nasty stuff. If I weren't sensitive to VOCs, it wouldn't matter to me. |
Re: Question about latex and ILD
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I would recommend that you go out and do your best to find some real latex (not the S-brand's mattresses) to lay on and get a feel for in your local area. There is no substitute for that. You really put yourself at a disadvantage if you don't have that experience in your history while trying to figure this all out. There is a real danger of trying to analyze this stuff all in your head, without taking the feel into account from first-hand observation. Words and ads can play tricks on you and what might sound like the logically best thing to do turns out wrong... From what you said about yourself, that you're a side sleeper who prefers a softer mattress; the medium core and soft topper from FBM would probably work for you. I would be wary of too thick a top layer, although I do not like the idea of 1" layers myself, alot of people here have them. I like the 2" layers. Now, if you are a really hard to please person, the FBM product might not work for you. I have the product and its working well for me. You might look back at this post I made of my setup, there's serveral pictures of the actual product and for me, its working out fine. Again, try to find some real product to touch, feel and lay on if you can, before you make any orders... Bill |
Re: Question about latex and ILD
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BillB wrote: I would recommend that you go out and do your best to find some real latex (not the S-brand's mattresses) to lay on and get a feel for in your local area. There is no substitute for that. You really put yourself at a disadvantage if you don't have that experience in your history while trying to figure this all out. I agree, that would be the ideal scenario. Unfortunately, I live in Small Town, Nowhere, USA, and have no idea where I would start my search for a latex mattress in the closest Big City. I've kind of already mentally committed to switching to latex, anyway, since it's the only truly hypoallergenic material. If the sensation is at all disappointing, I'll just have to acclimate. Or keep throwing different ILDs on top of one another, or utilize other materials...whatever I have to do to make it work. Quote: There is a real danger of trying to analyze this stuff all in your head, without taking the feel into account from first-hand observation. Words and ads can play tricks on you and what might sound like the logically best thing to do turns out wrong... True, true, and the wildly varying accounts of different posters here! Cloud9 says that 16-18 ILD Dunlop should be soft, and someone else said (in a different thread) that it was too firm for him. I've got my eye on the toppers at sleepwarehouse.com, and they said they'd be happy to send free samples of their latex. Granted, it's not the same thing as lying on a much larger surface composed of the same material, but I think it will be a good starting point. Quote: From what you said about yourself, that you're a side sleeper who prefers a softer mattress; the medium core and soft topper from FBM would probably work for you. I would be wary of too thick a top layer, although I do not like the idea of 1" layers myself, alot of people here have them. I like the 2" layers. Now, if you are a really hard to please person, the FBM product might not work for you. I have the product and its working well for me. You might look back at this post I made of my setup, there's serveral pictures of the actual product and for me, its working out fine. Again, try to find some real product to touch, feel and lay on if you can, before you make any orders...</p><p>Bill That is exactly what I'd had in mind previously: the medium core and soft topper from FBM. I just can't get a straight answer out of those people and that makes me want to avoid their products, if only out of spite. They refused to confide the source of their latex, citing "competitive reasons", which is absolute first-rate BS. I have zero tolerance for anything less than 100% candor, so they've lost my business. Which is sad, because I really liked the look and description of your set-up. |
Re: Question about latex and ILD
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Zzzzzzzspleaze wrote: Hi everyone :-) I'm in dire need of a new mattress and, thanks to this forum, I've decided that latex is probably the best way to go. I'm planning to purchase a mattress/topper combo from foambymail.com, but I have a question regarding the ILD of the latex. I've seen it mentioned in a couple of different threads that the 6" firm mattress cut in half is equivalent to two 3" medium toppers. So if I were to extrapolate using that information, you can essentially create a firmer sleeping surface by adding more layers of the same ILD. Does this sound correct? I'm currently sleeping on an Aerus Natural memory foam mattress that is comprised of 3" of 4 lb. memory foam over a polyurethane core, and it is like sleeping on a mushy slab of granite -- pressure points galore! I want to avoid making the same mistake of having a squishy comfort layer over a too-firm core, and so I was thinking of purchasing the medium density matress (26-32 ILD) and a 3" soft topper (20 ILD). From what I've gathered, foambymail's ILDs actually run a little higher than specified. If I'm a side sleeper who prefers a plushy, pillowy feel to her mattress, do you think this set up will best suit my needs? I've deduced that I can add another layer of medium density latex foam to create a firmer core, if needed. Hoping for confirmation of that theory! Thanks in advance for any input! Zzzz, I don't know where you live but if you are near a big city see if you can find a foam distributor, not a retail store. I get mine from a distributor and it's about half price. They usually don't have latex but they can get stuff for me sometimes. It might be worth a try to find a distributor near you if you want to save some money on latex. If you are on a budget, I would not rule out trying to find a medium-firm HR foam instead of latex and then use just a couple of latex toppers. Sometimes you can find really good prices on latex toppers and if you put 2 not too soft toppers together it might serve as a good next-to-top layer, then use 1" or 2" of a softer topper such as memory foam (Sensus or Venus) for a bit of softness on top. I also would not rule out ordering the BASIC FIRM mattress from overnightmattress.com - it's M-grade foam - and although it softened up a bit too much for me causing me to return it (also I made the mistake of buying the 5" of M-Grade with 2" of memory foam instead of getting the 7" of M-Grade only), I think it would work well for the average person. (I am VERY hard to please with mattresses due to my now-3 car accidents, all impacting my shoulders and neck.) I would consider buying the 7" base from from overnightmattress.com, then buying a Sensus foam 1" topper and that way you can layer them into 2" or just use 1" on top of the M-Grade foam base. And here's the great thing: If you decide you don't like the MGrade from from overnight (and you have FOUR MONTHS to try it!) you can return it for a full refund including shipping cost back to them! |