FoamByMail Latex Mattress Help Desperately Needed!
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I wake up in pain daily from my current spring mattress and I am thinking of taking the plunge and DIY my own latex mattress. I am in need of suggestions on how properly to configure one. I am side sleeper and am a large person. While mattress shopping locally, (innerspring & coil) I tend to almost always prefer the plush lines. There aren't any all latex mattress to try out locally. Only the three Big S brands, and in each of those I still preferred the plush version of their latex mattresses. They are also far to $$$ for my budget. My current mattress is an innerspring double sided pillowtop (biggest mistake ever) which has about a 2" indention in center from left to right. I have been reading several threads and I know it differs from person to person, but I don't even know where to start. I am wondering if I need to order the 6" core in firm-although I don't like a firm mattress but should because of my size, versus medium firm which would be softer?. Will the topper soften it up very much? Since I prefer the plush to Ultra plush feel, should I order a 2" or 3" latex topper? Does a 3" topper feel softer in general, regardless of the core? I was thinking of ordering: 1 Queen 6" Medium ILD Latex core - $473.99 1 Queen 2" Soft ILD Latex topper - $150.99 1 Queen terry cloth mattress cover from Foambymail - $20 upcharge Grand total for 8" Queen sized latex, - $644.98 or 1 Queen 6" firm ILD Latex core - $483.99 1 Queen 3" Soft ILD Latex topper - $219.99 1 Queen terry cloth mattress cover from Foambymail - $20 upcharge Grand total for 9" Queen sized latex - $723.98 Any suggestions would be greatly apprecia This message was modified Apr 5, 2009 by gracie14
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Re: FoamByMail Latex Mattress Help Desperately Needed!
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There are mattresses specifically engineered for those of us that are large. One online site is www.absolutecomfortonsale.com and there are others. This site has foam mattresses they say are specially designed for those weighing 250 to 300 lbs and the next models are for 300 to 400 lbs. I found this site with a simple Google search for "mattresses for obese" (no offense meant by the search words). Our research seems to show that foam is a better choice for heavier individuals but have to ask (bit off topic, sorry) have you ever tried a hardside waterbed mattress? They never permanently indent and always keep their shape and the new ones have options for complete wavelessness and firmness. One super feature is waterbed mattresses are firmness adjustable. We combined our most recent one with a 3 inch semi-firm memory foam topper from Cloud9 (bought on sale at Amazon.com) and we have found it more comfortable than all of the spring and foam mattresses we tested and we had to tweak the firmness several times before we got it just perfect for us - what a shame most beds are not firmness adjustable.. Best of Luck with you Sleep Comfort quest! This message was modified Mar 8, 2009 by imjay
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Re: FoamByMail Latex Mattress Help Desperately Needed!
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I think your second configuration would work out better for you. The firmer core would give you more support and the 3" soft topper would give you the right amount of plushness in your comfort layer. As a large person you probably would bottom out on the 2" topper and the medium core would not provide enough support leading to back pain. Please let us know what you settle on and what you think of it. |
Re: FoamByMail Latex Mattress Help Desperately Needed!
Well, I called SleepEz and spoke w/Shaun who advised that I would need a soft/medium/firm if I were to order the SleepEZ 10,000. (which I would love to if I could afford it). After I gave him my height and weight, those are the configurations he provided. So, now I wonder if that translates to the medium firm core? I was thinking somewhat the same as Cloud9, I don't want the latex to bottom out, but I don't want it to be too firm either. What do I do, I would like to place my order this week. I'm confused and don't know what to do. |
Re: FoamByMail Latex Mattress Help Desperately Needed!
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I would start with the 6" firm core and the 3" soft topper... This way you can always add another soft/med layer as needed. My 3" soft latex topper just arrived today from FBM. I'm going to be placing it over the Costco Ara mattress (memory foam) that is a little to firm for me (280lbs, side sleeper). So far it feels much softer and adds some "spring" to the bed that was missing before. We are reaching the limit on our sheets! We're at 18" with everything (foam + latex + cuddle bed) on the bed. My one suggestion, due to the weight issue, is to make sure you have a STRONG foundation. We have slats on our bed which I re-enforced with sheets of thick hardwood. Lowes or home depot will cut them down to size for you. This message was modified Mar 10, 2009 by dkcs
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Re: FoamByMail Latex Mattress Help Desperately Needed!
Thanks, dkcs, can you let me know how the 3" topper feels after a nights sleep? I want to make sure it does not give that 'sinking' feeling. I read somewhere on this forum that 3' might have that 'sinking' feeling. I don't mind extra plushiness, though. Shaun also suggested a piece of plywood in addition to the slatted foundation (about 1/2" thick). So I will definitely follow that suggestion as well. This message was modified Mar 10, 2009 by gracie14
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Re: FoamByMail Latex Mattress Help Desperately Needed!
| Please gracie14, keep us posted as to how this works out for you. I have been wanting to do the very same thing, but just wasn't sure what to choose. I hope you say you love it and I can make a decision I have been waffling about for nearly a year! |
Re: FoamByMail Latex Mattress Help Desperately Needed!
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So far pretty good! We don't crater in quite as much now and it is easier to get out of the bed. With the 3" latex topper we are sleeping far from the memory foam, so it defeats the idea of your body warming up the memory foam and letting you sink in. I do find the latex a little "bouncy" (like a regular spring mattress) but that is what we were looking for. One option you could try is to purchase the 3" latex topper and throw it over your current mattress to see how it feels. You could even throw the plywood on top of your current mattress and put the latex topper over that, although I suspect that you will sink through and hit the wood. Really, this is a challenge of trial and error to see what works best for you and your body. When you purchase the plywood make sure you are getting hardwood (the soft pine boards are usually warped or will will warp easily). We spent about $75 for the two hardwood sheets needed. Remember that it always easier to soften up a bed then to firm it up later... Start with the firm core, and if cratering is a concern, you can go with a 2" soft topper and add another 2" soft/med topper later. You can keep adding latex until your sheets give up! Darren This message was modified Mar 10, 2009 by dkcs
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Re: FoamByMail Latex Mattress Help Desperately Needed!
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I decided to start by ordering a 2" topper first, try it on my current mattress and see how it feels. Well, it arrived today. I must say it does have quite a few imperfections, but that shouldn't affect how it feels, I guess. The only thing that seemed weird and I might just be expecting something different. When I opened the box it looked as if it was already 2", no need to expand. Does the topper come compressed and need to expand to it's full height? I measured it after placing it on the bed (about 1-2 minutes), it was already a full 2 inches. I've placed it on my mattress to test. I will also place on foundation to see if it soft enough, since I'm thinking of ordering a firm core. Well, I let you guys know how it goes tonight. |
Re: FoamByMail Latex Mattress Help Desperately Needed!
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Okay, so first night was pretty good. Actually, the next day I kind of lounged around in bed a little longer than usual. It was very comfortable. Well, now that the latex has softened a bit, I am having some back pain. Granted, it's atop my current mattress which is worse for wear at this point, but I'm considering going with a firm core. Hopefully, this will even out the mattress, not to soft and not too firm. If it is still too firm, then I guess I can always order another topper. What do you guys think? This message was modified Mar 24, 2009 by gracie14
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Re: FoamByMail Latex Mattress Help Desperately Needed!
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Gracie, if you have a pillowtop mattress with an indentation on it, putting additional foam on the top will only give you more to hammock into. Latex has no body of its own. It will conform to whatever is underneath it. Seems like you are already beginning to get a backache from this arrangement. Since you are already thinking of getting a firm core, why not just replace the entire mattress and make your own bed from a firmer, thicker core and your current soft topper? Another idea would be to remove the pillow top from your mattress. Just cut it off. Several of us (including myself) have already performed mattress surgery and you can read our accounts of how to go about it on the forum. Look for posts by JimSocal and TheQuest. You may find the rest of the mattress is in pretty good shape under the sagging pillowtop. Please keep us posted on your progress. |