Calling Flobeds experts
|
I've read through a TON of threads about Flobeds and Latex mattresses in general and am pretty much certain that we will end up purchasing a Flobed. But I have a few specific questions about firmess and foundations that I would love some input on. First, the stats: Hubby - 6'-1" and 300+lbs Me - 5'-7" and 230lbs We both prefer a firmer feel, but not hard. Hubby has a bad back, which is what has triggered our research and eventual purchase of a new bed. We are obviously not small people, and I am concerned about how the mattress wear in the long term under our weight. My research indicates that we should be sure to order high ILDs and opt for more or thicker layers in order to have sufficient support. My question is whether the all natural talalay is dense enough for us. I would prefer to order an all natural set, but have heard that the blended talalay is firmer and available in higher ILDs than the natural. Any other larger people out there have input on what worked for them? I've also heard that the blended product is not as allergy-free as the natural. Can anyone verify that info? We co-sleep with our infant son, which means I am sometimes in the "middle" of the bed rather than "on my side". Do those of you with different configurations on each side of the bed notice a ridge or seam in the middle? Finally, we would like to buy a new slat system but might not be able to afford it after the cost of the mattress (we are buying a CalKing). We have an standard set of box springs that are in pretty good shape. Has anyone used their existing box springs with a new Flobed? How did it work out? Or is a slat or platform essential? Thanks for your help! |
Re: Calling Flobeds experts
|
Thanks to both of you for your input. I think we will probably try it out with the existing box springs first. I figure we can always upgrade to a slat foundation later. And I appreciate your input on the firmness factor. We'll definitely be going for XF all around to start out. Does anyone have any comment on whether there is a ridge or other noticeable seam when sleeping in the middle of the bed if each side had different firmness? Thanks again! |
Re: Calling Flobeds experts
|
Pryncesslia, We have a "split" bed and I don't think you would enjoy a bed with 'different configurations on each side' if you intend to spend a great deal of time trying to sleep in the middle. I would bet, however, that there would be no visible ridge because the flobed top layer is not split. |
Re: Calling Flobeds experts
|
I agree with Philip that you probably won't feel a ridge because the top convoluted 2" layer will cover the entire mattress. While I have xf/xf/xf, my husband currently has f/xf/xf, and we don't feel a ridge at all. This message was modified Jan 12, 2010 by KimberlyH
|
Re: Calling Flobeds experts
| I had a split mattress (which I had to return for unrelated reasons) and felt no ridge in the center due to the taut mattress cover as others have mentioned, but did get bad back problems from the different configurations when I laid with part of my body on each side. I.e., having part of my body on a F layer and the other part of my body on M led to my body contorting overnight and major back pain. |
Re: Calling Flobeds experts
| My two sides of the bed are slightly different but I feel no ridge from my split FloBed latex layers since I have a natural latex topper over this that is not split. |
Re: Calling Flobeds experts
|
Unlike some here I did notice a ridge developed down the middle of my California King after sleeping on it for several weeks. I particularly noticed it when I had a medium piece on one side and a firm peace on the other. Once I changed both top pieces to firm I noticed it happening less, but it still occurred. I found the solution to be to just lay on the middle of the bed for a couple of hours. This fixed it up just fine. It has been several nights now and the ridge has not reappeared. If it does, I will just lay in the middle for a bit and fix it. No problem! I do not believe, from my own experience, and from what others have posted, that it is something to worry about. This message was modified Jan 14, 2010 by eagle2
|
Re: Calling Flobeds experts
| Maybe Queen and Full latex split beds do not feel the ridge but King Size does? |
Re: Calling Flobeds experts
|
I have not noticed what I would call a ridge, but I have noticed that it can feel a little softer near the center. I think this was mainly when I had it configured so one side was softer than the other. Also, you have to make sure that the pieces of latex are pushed tighly against the other half. If a gap develops between the 2 sides, then it will feel softer in the middle. Having a 1 piece convoluted layer seems to help mitigate this problem. |
Re: Calling Flobeds experts
|
What was causing my Ridge in my California king mattress was when I would roll back and forth from side to side testing out different comfort layers. When I had a top layer of medium on one side and a top layer of firm on the other, the different ILD's would respond differently and since latex has such a strong propensity to "cling" to other pieces of latex, one 3 inch piece would hang up on the other 3 inch piece causing a ridge down the middle. For a while when I changed my sheets I would unzip the top cover and straighten this ridge out. I got tired of doing this and tryed just laying on the middle of the bed for a while. This would flatten out this ridge. Once I changed my two top layers to the same ILD, namely, firm, I had this occur much less often. It is not a problem for me at this point in time. This message was modified Jan 16, 2010 by eagle2
|
Re: Calling Flobeds experts
| Thanks for all the additional info. Since this is such an important (an potentially expensive) purchase , I am exploring ALL my options before making a final decision. I found a private party (not a mattress shop) selling an unused Englander Nature's Finest latex mattress and box spring for $800. Needless to say, the price tempts me. The Englander website says they use 100% natural Dunlop latex. I've sent them an email asking for more details about the thickness and ILDs, but in the meantime, does anyone have any experience with the Englander latex mattresses? |