$1,200 to spend; please don't laugh
Mar 21, 2011 8:51 PM
Joined: Mar 20, 2011
Points: 71
Hello to all. I'm new to the forum and I hope I can get the info I need to purchase a soft and comfortable sleeping mattress that will last for at least 10yrs. I don't have a lot cash right now, but I need a new mattress now. I toss and turn for about 6hrs (no kidding) and sleep only 2hrs. I have a beat up old innersping that gives me terrible back pains. I have tried mattresses in stores and it seems the softer the better for me. Is it possible to get a very soft latex king bed for 1,200? If not, what are my alternatives? BTW,  I'm in Shreveport, La no luck locally, so I'm looking for internet stores if at all possible.

 

 

Thanks.

This message was modified Mar 21, 2011 by need2sleep636
Re: $1,200 to spend; please don't laugh
Reply #3 Mar 21, 2011 10:23 PM
Joined: Mar 14, 2011
Points: 15
One option would be a "DIY" option, do it yourself. foambymail and foamdistributingcompany (same owners, but different products on the two websites) could build you a low cost latex mattress.

You could either go with a 6" latex base for $717 and put a 3" latex topper for $332 on top all from foambymail, or go the even cheaper route and get a 6" polyurethane base ($250 foamdistributing company) and then a couple latex toppers for $450 or so. I can't vouch for the quality of these companies as I don't have a mattress by them. There have been other people on this forum that have had success with these companies, and some that have not had successs.

Another option would be to get a 6" polyurethane base from Foam distributing company and then 4" of higher quality latex from sleeplikeabear or sleepez or another reputable company. The latex at these reputable companies will be much more expensive then the foambymail latex, but the quality assurance is also going to be much better.

 

I almost went with a do it yourself mattress, and if I did, I was going to go with a 6" latex base from foambymail and then 4" of latex for middle/top from sleeplikeabear. I thought about the polyurethane base though.

Re: $1,200 to spend; please don't laugh
Reply #4 Mar 21, 2011 11:45 PM
Joined: Mar 20, 2011
Points: 71
Slappo86 wrote:

One option would be a "DIY" option, do it yourself. foambymail and foamdistributingcompany (same owners, but different products on the two websites) could build you a low cost latex mattress.

 

You could either go with a 6" latex base for $717 and put a 3" latex topper for $332 on top all from foambymail, or go the even cheaper route and get a 6" polyurethane base ($250 foamdistributing company) and then a couple latex toppers for $450 or so. I can't vouch for the quality of these companies as I don't have a mattress by them. There have been other people on this forum that have had success with these companies, and some that have not had successs.

Another option would be to get a 6" polyurethane base from Foam distributing company and then 4" of higher quality latex from sleeplikeabear or sleepez or another reputable company. The latex at these reputable companies will be much more expensive then the foambymail latex, but the quality assurance is also going to be much better.

 

I almost went with a do it yourself mattress, and if I did, I was going to go with a 6" latex base from foambymail and then 4" of latex for middle/top from sleeplikeabear. I thought about the polyurethane base though.

This is very interesting; I didn't know that could be done. Tomorrow, I will most definately look into diy. This forum is great and full of helpful info. I must say, I just knew I was gonna get blasting for the $1200 dollar budget, but I was wrong; you guys are great!!!!!

 

Re: $1,200 to spend; please don't laugh
Reply #5 Mar 22, 2011 12:33 AM
Joined: Mar 14, 2011
Points: 15
Everyone has a budget, and even those with a smaller mattress budget want good sleep!
Re: $1,200 to spend; please don't laugh
Reply #6 Mar 22, 2011 4:28 PM
Joined: Mar 22, 2011
Points: 16
I recently had to replace my mattress as well and decided to go with memory foam instead of latex or spring.

I bought mine from www.novosbed.com for $879+HST (I live in New Brunswick). It is a Queen size and shipping was included in the price. I'm pretty sure they also do free shipping to the US, so you may be in luck.

If you want a good mattress and you're on a budget, I suggest checking out Novosbed.

Re: $1,200 to spend; please don't laugh
Reply #7 Mar 22, 2011 7:27 PM
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Points: 116
need2sleep636 wrote:

 

This is very interesting; I didn't know that could be done. Tomorrow, I will most definately look into diy. This forum is great and full of helpful info. I must say, I just knew I was gonna get blasting for the $1200 dollar budget, but I was wrong; you guys are great!!!!!

 

Hey that's what the internet mattress guys are here for.  To steer you toward their website.  Good luck.

Re: $1,200 to spend; please don't laugh
Reply #8 Mar 22, 2011 8:23 PM
Joined: Aug 5, 2010
Points: 227
Good_Sleep wrote:

Hey that's what the internet mattress guys are here for.  To steer you toward their website.  Good luck.


Yes, be careful what you read on the internet, even these forums have sales folks showing up frequently.  Don't blindly follow recommendations.

Re: $1,200 to spend; please don't laugh
Reply #9 Mar 22, 2011 8:45 PM
Joined: Aug 5, 2010
Points: 34
On the DIY route, I followed BillB's setup here: http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/my-foambymail-8-latex-mattress-actual-setup-pictures/9029-0-1.html

I wanted an all-natural mattress without any chemicals so I skipped on the cuddlebed and threw a St. Geneve wool mattress protector over the latex for better airflow/comfort.

It really took some getting used to at first but now I notice my previous lower back problems are gone. It gives tons of support but the latex doesn't provide the sink-in feeling that memory foam has. I miss that but the lack of back pain is worth it.

Re: $1,200 to spend; please don't laugh
Reply #10 Mar 22, 2011 9:13 PM
Joined: Mar 20, 2011
Points: 71
My wife and I really love Slapp86's diy suggestion. BTW, I'm 6'2" 255lb and my wife is 5'5" 125lb. Every mattress that I tried and loved she also loved. I've read that for back and stomach sleepers firm is the way to go and soft is for side sleepers. Every firm bed that I tried did not fee comfortable to my back (laying on both stomach and back). Now the softer the bed was, the better. Being that my wife loves spooning, we generally sleep on our side.

 

 

   Can I go wrong with a polyurethane base? $250 for the base fits my budget nicely. I've read in places that foam is to be chosen by density and not ILD; is this correct? How long can I reasonbly expect a High resiliency poly foam base to last? Do they smell? I've read that foam mattresses smell, but I seem not to smell anything on the foam mattresses at the stores, what do they do to?

 

I was thinking about three layers, but first things first; the base. I was thinking a 76" x 80" 6" Thick - Lux High Quality Foam from FoamDistributing.com for $244. They state the density of this mattress is 2.8 pcf. Does anyone know how reliable their specs are? Or a  5" Thick x 76" x 80"
King Firm Mattress
From Foambymail.com for $150. Which one of these companies has the better quality and more reliable specs? Nevermind; same company different product.

This message was modified Mar 22, 2011 by need2sleep636
Re: $1,200 to spend; please don't laugh
Reply #11 Mar 22, 2011 10:54 PM
Joined: Mar 2, 2011
Points: 14
I just spent this exact amount on an excellent mattress:

 

Foam by mail 6" talaly base for $571--Radium--beautiful piece, no seams--ILD 36.

Second 3" talaly layer was Foam by mail, talalay, $273--Radium--no seams, one small tear from my fingetips getting it out of the box--ILD 29.

Third layer ,3" talalay,  ebay, mattresses/24/7--latex international, she had a soft 3" piece  $285--very good as well--one seam and one small tear.

Plus, $56 for a velour cover off of ebay.

Total price $$1185

 

Foam by mail uses two ILD's of tallay.  They have a 6" base with an ILD of 36--they cut these down and call the smaller cuts softer with ILD's of about 32.  The other 6" base they sell has an ILD of 29 and the cuts they make off of these they call IFD 20.  This info is per my phone calls to them.

The ILD on the 6" cores compare very close in feel to the Latex Internaltional I have samples of.  I am extremely pleased with their quality. 

This message was modified Mar 23, 2011 by jeff8407
Re: $1,200 to spend; please don't laugh
Reply #12 Mar 22, 2011 11:03 PM
Joined: Aug 31, 2007
Points: 793
Jeff, it sounds like you were able to put together a latex bed at a good price. Please let us know how the comfort is after a week. I hope you are happy. It sounds like the quality is there.  If you want firm or softer, what is the exchange policy?  What are you using as a base?