Mattress Forum

After thinking about it more, I definitely would not want to start out building this with the 1.5" eggcrate foam planned.  I am now thinking it might be nice to find some sort of thin (1-1.5") quilted wool layer to replicate just the very top of this mattress.  I know this is moving away from my original statement of putting as little as possible between me and the latex.  I might wait on this only if I find the initial setup a little firm, non-cushy feeling.  I just don't have any concept of how soft the 20 ILD Talalay layer is going to feel to me.

On the foundation, I've decided I definitely need to replace that as what I have is of pretty flimsy construction and there is a some sort of approx. 2" foam layer as the top part of the foundation.  I think that would be a weak link in the chain with all the quality latex on top of it, only to have the cheap foam giving and flexing underneath it.  Now the question is do I go with a solid platform or a slatted foundation?  Off to do more research here on that.

I talked with foambymail today, and they were very helpful.  They were definitely not upselling as he suggested I might go with just the 6" 36 ILD + 2" of 32 ILD, and add the soft layer only if needed.  I would rather set this up one time if I can, and since we are on a featherbed now, I really think we need that last soft layer. 

So, I've decided to go with the 6" 36 ILD, and I believe I will definitely get 2 more layers, one each of the 32 and 20 ILD Talalay.  My only question now is whether to get those both in 2" or if I should get the soft in a 3".  It maks about a $90 difference.  I'm not worried as much about the $90 as I am if 3" of the 20 ILD would be too much softness vs. getting that same thing in 2".  Any thoughts on this?

Option A :  6" 36 ILD + 2" 32 ILD + 2" 20 ILD or

Option B:  6" 36 ILD + 2" 32 ILD + 3" 20 ILD ? (All Talalay natural latex both options)

Thanks again!

My only concern for you would be to look at the life span of the foams if you use them with the talalay. The supersoft foam from FBM (aka Foam Factory) is only 2-5yrs:

http://www.thefoamfactory.com/tech/SuperSoftTech.html

Whereas the HD-36 foam is 12-18 yrs:

http://www.thefoamfactory.com/tech/HD36-HQTech.html

I started looking at this when I wanted to find out the life span of my "latex" mattress, which is made of various layers of foam topped with a 3" layer of 20 ILD dunlop. 

At 175lb 2" should work. I ordered 2" and I'm 265lb, but if that doesn't work for me, I'll just add another 2" layer. You'd be very fortunate to get it right the very first time without ever testing FBM's latex out. My order will be arriving Monday per FBM so if you haven't ordered before then I would let you know how the 2" layer feels to me

PS It seems the wool mattress pads are much more expensive than the cotton ones

N2S, I may not order until next week, so I'd love to know your impressions when you get yours in.  Particularly of the overall quality of the stuff from FBM.

I went over tonight and tried my friend's Habitatfurnishings Skybed (6" Dunlop 26 ILD + 3" Talalay 19 ILD) which he has on conventional box springs.  My first impressions were that the bed feels very cushy and comfortable, but I could tell right away it would be too soft for me.  When I laid on my stomach as I do to fall asleep, I could feel that I was sinking in too much in the mid-section causing my back to arch too much.  Since the knock on the FBM latex is that it is not as soft as advertised, I'm now thinking that this will suite my preferences just right.

This is all starting to come together for me, and I've decided (for now) to go with this setup from FBM:  6" 36 ILD + 2" 32 ILD + 2" 20 ILD

It seems like the St. Dormier mattress protector is the way to go, and I'm trying to find the best price on that now.

I've decided to replace my foundation, and it looks like the slat construction is the most recommended.  Trying to find the best bang for the buck here, but am considering just building my own and putting a mattress protector around it for aesthetics.  My friend's latex mattress on boxsprings made the bed pretty bouncy.  Compared to my current mattress setup with a static foundation, I didn't really like the feel of the extra bounce.  

So far, I like the feel of the S&F mostly latex mattress that I referenced in my earlier post the best out of everything that I've laid on.  In fact, it is the only mattress I've laid on that feels appreciably better to me than my current mattress.  Of course, it is loaded with inferior foams that will break down in 2 to 5 years, so there is no way I'm going to go with it.  I'm hoping that my DIY FBM bed can replicate this solid, yet comfortable feel with the durability of all latex.

-Cliff  

6" 36 ILD core + 2" 32 ILD mid-core + 2" 20 ILD topper (all 100% natural talalay), upgrade to 10" Terry cloth cover, at a cost of $1,216 total with free shipping.

I was going to order this foundation, but I'm now thinking of building my own.

Foundation (http://www.amazon.com/Thick-Foundation-memory-latex-mattresses/dp/B002RVCSRI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1305859732&sr=8-3): $229  or DIY. 

Mattress Pad/Protector:  St. Dormier from Flobeds $160 http://www.flobeds.com/product_details.htm?ID=2140EK  or one with more cushioning.  I'm going to test the bed first to see if I need more of a pillowtop feel or if I like the feel of sleeping just on the latex.  If so, I'll go with the St. Dormier.  If not, I'll go with something like this: http://www.cuddledown.com/product/mattress-pads-protectors/temp-regulating-pads-protectors/ultimate-comfort-bamboo-mattress-pad.

I'll post my results when I receive the order.

Thanks for all of the help here figuring out where to start.

-Cliff

First of all, I would not buy a Sealy or Stearns latex mattress unless it is MUCH cheaper than buidling your own, which I doubt it could be. If anyone DOES buy an S Co. latex mattress be sure to read the Law Tag on the mattress which will tell you exactly the % of latex in it. Some mattress sales people will lie or are ignorant as to the specs, and the tag will tell the truth. I know S&F makes one that is 97% latex. I have seen 4 S&F latex mattresses and they range in latex from 87% to 97% latex. Synthetic latex, though; made by Sealy.

Now, as to making your own latex mattress. If "plush" is what you want I'd avoid Dunlop altogether. Dunlop is like a hard rubber floormat. That said, I am sleeping on a 2 ½ inch Dunlop layer under 2" of Talalay and it has been good for awhile though now I'm having issues with it. I have it on top of a bowed-wood foundation that gives it a little "spring" which I have always needed; I can't sleep on just pure latex without springs or something like springs. I have experimented with various DIY mattresses using Sealy and Englander springs for the base but I think my problem was that I used only cheap springs, never good ones. My next project will involve pocket coils under latex. At first I hated the Dunlop, it was way too firm/hard; it's the opposite of "plush". But as a base layer now I'm okay with it. Though whether it is optimal or not, I don't know.

If money is no object, I'd go with a Flobeds or a similar returnable latex mattress. Why? Because not everyone can sleep on latex without springs. My wife and I hate any foam mattress without springs under it. We tried Flobeds and were happy to be able to return it without any problems - just some shipping costs. And while your wife may not want the hassle of changing layers etc. since the weight difference is so wide between you, I think it would behoove you to give her a softer side and you a firmer side. And IF she doesn't like it, then you at least have an option to change it.

In my opinion the feather bed is giving you back pain. Feather beds - like memory foam - feel great, but provide little or no support.

Latex should have slats under it, not a solid piece of wood. The opinions on this vary but the guy from flobeds said he highly recommends slats to avoid any breathability/mold problems. I also believe that slats should help counter the potential for the latex to sleep too hot. That said, I have used latex and other foams directly on the floor and never had a problem with it. But if you do go with a non-slatted foundation check it at least once a month for moisture and mold.

If money is an issue like it is for many of us, then by all means build your own. In that case, I recommend buying a couple king size layers - they're usually cheaper that way (as opposed to 2 Twin XL layers) and buy them in 2 ILD's, like for example a 36 ILD 2" piece and a 32 ILD 2" piece. That way you can mix and match, put the 32ILD on top for one feel and the 36ILD on top for the other feel. Then on top of that you can put a 24ILD 1" piece over a 38ILD 1" piece. These 4 combinations give you a lot of flexibility in creating different feels. You may want to use those 4 pieces over a core that could be HR foam or latex, something firmer such as 36 or 38ILD. But the problem with DIY layers is that you're stuck with them, you can't return them if you decide you hate latex or bought the wrong kind or wrong ILD's. We have a closet full of memory foam and HR foam that we acquired in this manner. I keep thinking I should throw them out...

This all depends on how finicky a sleeper you might be. If you're the type who can sleep on anything then just buy something easy like a CostCo latex mattress that can be returned if you don't like it and make it easy on yourself! However if you feel you will need to adjust your mattress to find just the right feel(s), then you will want to buy something like a returnable Flobed or buy layers as I mentioned and cut them into halves, for 2 twin long sides of your bed, one for you and one for your wife. Then you can also add an inch of super soft ILD latex in a Twin Long piece and one of you may like it and one of you may not. Then if both of you like it, buy a 2nd one... See my thread in the Sticky section for how to cut latex.

jimsocal, thanks so much for the in-depth info.  One thing that I wanted to point out is that FBM does have a "30 day 100% Guarantee." 

Here are the details of the Guarantee:

"Exclusively for Latex Mattresses & Toppers
Guarantee: The Guarantee starts from the ship date (or invoice date for pickups). If a return is made, there will be a 100% product refund, minus any shipping and handling charges. Guarantee not valid for in-store pickup and is subject to a 25% restocking fee. The product must be returned in a like new condition. The Guarantee will be void if the product is resized or reshaped."
 

I inquired with a CSR there, and she confirmed by e-mail that typically they waive the 25% restocking fee if the item is returned in good condition.  So, while I'll have some cost to return, I'm not stuck with these pieces if we don't like how it sleeps.  Granted, this return policy is no where near as robust as flobeds or others, but at less than half the cost, it is a more than fair trade-off IMO.