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I came across this forum about four years ago. I couldn't convince my wife to go Latex then, so we bought an expensive S-brand spring mattress and have been miserable for the last two years. Now that she's laid on a latex mattress and likes the feel, I've been trying to get back up to speed. I think I've convinced myself and her to go the DIY route so that if we don't like the feel of the mattress initially, we can change layers until we are happy. I refuse to pour thousands of dollars into a mattress (or mattress components) again that is inflexible and short lived. Questions: 1. I'm not keen on anything that will have a shortish life, so nothing but latex for the base/core. Is foam by mail the best (least expensive) option for a 6" or more firm base (E King)? I understand that all their latex is talalay... I think we'd even be happy with Dunlop for the base since we both want a pretty firm finished mattress. Other options/suggestions? 2. I'm certain that I'll order ~1" of extra soft Talatech from sleeplikeabear for the comfort layer on top. Is this enough to give that "pillowtop" feel without transforming a fairly firm bed into a soft one? We like a firm bed, but also like the luxurious feel of a Euro style pillowtop... so something that spans the two is the idea. Do you suggest more than 1"? Something else entirely? 3. Other top layers... I know it's a guessing game up front, but I'll have to do my best (with your guidance). I'm ~215lb and my wife is ~140lb. Between the ~6" base and top comfort layer, I'm trying to decide what and how much to put in between. At the moment I'm thinking either 3" medium from FBM, or 2" medium and 1" soft from FBM. The latter is more flexible I suppose. 4. Memory foam... we're undecided on this. We sort of like the ones we've laid on, but it's "too much." A 1" layer might work... but not on top. We want the talatech soft comfort right next to us. Has anyone ever tried memory foam UNDER a latex layer? I know the heat sensitive part might be thrown off a bit, but to be honest viscoelastic material responds pretty well to pressure only. Thoughts? 5. Case/cover... I think the 8" FBM terry cover will be too tight, especially if we add anything down the road. I see a variety of sizes at sleeplikeabear (out of stock?) and sleepEZ, any other places to look? I think we want to try bare terry first, and if it is too hot against the latex I'll look at just adding a loose wool layer between talatech and cover. For now, terry only?
Any other things that come to mind that a newbie should look out for, please feel free to share! I've been browsing the forum and reading old threads for several days trying to catch up on what has worked and not worked for others. Hopefully this works out... can't be worse than our current mattress. :) |
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osli wrote: Thanks again. We want a firm base, either the firmest talalay or a Dunlop. We're moving now, and I will pull the trigger once we're settled in... in another week or two. Please do update this thread with how your mattress feels, since I probably won't order until then. Will do! I hope your move goes well. By the way, I made a little Excel spreadsheet to calculate and compare the cost of different options for my DIY mattress. I took a few minutes to modify it for you (I put in four hypothetical all-latex mattresses, a 10" and a 12" using the FBM Talalay core and a 9½" and an 11½" inch using the APMC Dunlop core). If you would like it, PM me with your email address and I'll send it to you. This message was modified Jun 4, 2010 by pianoman
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osli wrote: Anyone have any other source options? I ran across Mattress.net today (I think that was the name). Offer Dunlop and Talalay, prices seem pretty good (better than FBM in many cases), with more options for base/core. Any experiences with them? Shady or reputable? Didn't notice your question earlier... it's actually mattresses.net that I believe you're referring to. Mattresses.net and latexmattresscompany.com are the same outfit... Arizona Premium Mattress Company. Whoa! I just checked mattresses.net to make sure I was giving you right info and discovered that they majorly upgraded their web site within the past two or three days. It's always been really basic and outdated looking. I'm positive I was on it briefly just a few days ago and it was as it always had been. Not any more! (I've always preferred the latexmattresscompany.com site because, at least until now, it was more appealing and easier to navigate.) I will say that I've read somewhere on this site or maybe from a Google search that APMC has an "F" rating with the BBB. Upon further research I found that that rating came as a result of just one unresolved complaint over many years of doing business, so I really wouldn't worry too much about that. I can also say that I called them to ask a question about their latex and they called me back promptly. That was the only interaction I had with them, though, since I ended up not purchasing their tri-zoned Dunlop core, so I can't really personally vouch for them. Finally, you should know that APMC does charge shipping on their orders, so factor that into your cost analysis. You can check the shipping charge... just place the item(s) you're interested in in your cart, start checkout, type in just your zip code (no need for name, address, etc.) and click "Apply". Hope all this helps. This message was modified Jun 4, 2010 by pianoman
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