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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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. |
Re: FoamByMail Latex Mattress Help Desperately Needed!
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We started with the topper too (I got 2 in medium FBM) and when that felt good, we swapped out old mattress for 6 in firm core FBM. I think it's plenty soft and comfy. We put it on old boxspring with plywood over it, but I'm planning to get slatted base. We're "large" as well so I thought firm core would be better. It's still plenty comfy. I'm a side sleeper and my hip pain has disappeared since switch to latex. HTH |
Re: FoamByMail Latex Mattress Help Desperately Needed!
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Pressure Points, that great to hear since I ordered a firm core (with terry cloth cover) on Wednesday! So far it has not shipped out, maybe Monday I'm told. I was wondering how it would feel with 2" topper, I'm glad you are enjoying yours, and relieved that it is somewhat soft. I kind of have to have the same set up as you have. I currently have my topper, old mattress, plywood, box springs in that order. So I'll just switch out the mattress. It may be a while before I get the platform bed I want, which has slats 2" apart. Cloud9, thanks for the advice. I read your post on mattress surgery. I performed a little mattress surgery of my own. I removed the pillowtop and placed my topper atop and it feels so much better right now. I'll really know tonight when I sleep on it. This message was modified Mar 28, 2009 by gracie14
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Re: FoamByMail Latex Mattress Help Desperately Needed!
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Yeay, my 6" core has arrived. It actually took 8 days, don't know why. Well, I unzipped the cover to add my 2" soft topper and I was slightly disappointed. I know latex has some imperfections, but there are rows where the holes seem to be missing. And then there are some rows of holes,where there are holes so close together it looks like one large hole. Maybe what I expected wasn't realistic for latex . I did not expect a perfect piece, but I didn't expect so many inperfections. Oh, well if it does the job, which is a good night's rest, I guess it's okay. |