Can I make my own "Flobed"?
Dec 30, 2008 8:46 AM
Joined: Dec 19, 2008
Points: 8
As I posted in another thread, I'm very interested in buying/creating a latex bed.

It seems that the general premise of Flobeds (and some others) is several 3" layers of varying firmness latex that can be rearranged to come up with the users ideal firmness/softness.  Soft over firm, medium over soft, etc.

Would this be the same as ordering 3 or 4 4-inch latex toppers of different densities from Foambymail and arranging them in a similar way?
Re: Can I make my own "Flobed"?
Reply #1 Dec 30, 2008 2:26 PM
Joined: Dec 8, 2008
Points: 11
This is what I'm going to try to do. We bought a medium 2 inch topper from Foambymail and have that on top of our spring mattress right now. Plan is to order the 6 in firm latex mattress core from foambymail. I think, if you look, the FBM toppers only come in soft and medium, so you can't get the same configuration as Flobeds b/c there's no firm option-that's why I'm getting the 6 in core and layering from there.
When I looked other places that sell the firmer toppers, I wasn't going to save much by not just buying it from Flobeds by the time I added up the components.

If you figure it out though, let me know b/c I'd like the flexibility of the 2, 3 in layers, rather than a 6 in core, but hubby wants to spend as little as possible and I know, esp after a medium topper, I need a firmer base.
This message was modified Dec 30, 2008 by pressurepoints
Re: Can I make my own "Flobed"?
Reply #2 Dec 30, 2008 3:49 PM
Joined: Oct 24, 2008
Points: 9
I calculated it all out, and after purchasing all the materials I needed to make a comparable "flobed-like" bed, I would have saved around $400-$500 or so, not counting the mattress cover (you can get relatively inexpensive ones, but they are no where near the quality of something like flobeds' mattress cover).  Doing this, I would have had warranty-returns only (no firmness exchanges, no returns simply because "I didn't like it", etc).  You save money, sacrificing convenience.

I think buying several 3 or 4 inch latex toppers would be comparable, but I would be wary of making it too soft (toppers are meant as just that - for the top of the bed).  As someone else said, you can also get the 6 inch cores, which cost a little less and are available in firm.  The only drawback I can see to doing this is you aren't sure where the latex came from... and only if imported latex is an issue to you.  Otherwise, the setups would be very similar.

If you do go the foambymail route, be sure to buy something that protects the latex well (surrounding it completely)... my understanding is that sunlight and human/animal sweat/oils/protiens are the leading cause of latex breakdown.  A cotton, or better yet wool, mattress pad is also recommended. 

Oh, and don't forget a foundation... box springs, unless covered by a flat board, don't make good latex foundations. 

I was about to do something similar before I made my purchase... let us know what you end up with!
Re: Can I make my own "Flobed"?
Reply #3 Dec 31, 2008 12:11 AM
Joined: Aug 16, 2008
Points: 16
Don't  forget SleepEZ.  They have different configurations of mattresses for a little lower price than FloBeds, and they offer free shipping.