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I'm sure I should be diligent and read every post on here, but after a week of doing my research I'm starting to get frustrated. I love forums and this seems to be one of the best for mattresses. With this topic post I am hoping to get a summary of the mattress types and brands that have been spoken of most highly on this forum. I know this topic is like politics, everyone feels strongly about one thing vs another without an overall concensus and I know the typw of mattress depends on the person, but I feel like someone familiar with these forums could maybe narrow down my search and provide some advice. Basically I'm 28, living with my fiancee and thinking about consciously purchasing a mattress for the first time. We have a Sealy Posture Premier (somewhat entry level model) from 2003ish. I have never slept soundly and dream of getting consistent good nights of sleep. I have sporadic neck/shoulder and lower back discomfort but it's usually better after sleeping so I don't think the mattress is necessarily the culprit. After going to a few stores I am leaning towards a slightly firmer mattress and my fiancee towards a softer one (she is very small and light if that makes a difference) but generally I think we both just want comfort. I sleep on my back, her on her side and we both toss and turn. I am a naturally hotter person and can't sleep if I'm hot. If I do turn on my side my shoulder feels jacked up within minutes although the postition feels comfortable. I want to get moving on a new bed but I feel stuck..Everything in the store feels reasonably comfortable, web reviews contradict each other..I just need a starting point, a roadmap. I'm even into an evolutionary approach where I start with something and add on as I go.....I just want a new bed badly and I'm fearful of throwing my money away. Once again, I apologize for asking such a flat out newbie question. I've read the buying guide here and reviews all over the web and I feel less confident than when I started.
Thanks in advance!! -JT |
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Thanks everyone. Definitely not looking for concensus, more of a summary of the most popular mattress options on this forum, which I got thank you. Sorry if my initial thread was demanding. I'd like to keep my budget within ~$1500, which likely eliminates tempurpedic (worried about heat anyways) and a high end innerspring like Royal Pedic. Mattress surgery sounds like something I'd consider and then bring up to my fiancee who would then flip out.......not ready to go that route yet. So I think either a latex mattress or a decent basic innerspring that we can experiment with using toppers.
We both like the idea of being able to customize our respective sides of the bed, as TC2334 said we are likely opposites (sleep-wise): Seems like sleepez allows for his/her customization plus the ability to exchange layers if we find we don't have the right combination. 8500 is within price range. Can I use current boxspring? Order foundation from sleepez? Put slats across my bedframe? Could also try Ikea latex mattress and add toppers if necessary, but not a lot of reviews about their latex beds. If we go innerspring route, can we use different toppers on each half of bed? Seems like that would be easier with king-size mattress (buy 2 twin size toppers) but we want to stick with queen. What innerspring is popular here for use as a base to add toppers to? (Sorry that may be another complicated question) Forums are awesome! Thanks so much guys, I certainly appreciate folks spending their time to help me. |
| Oooh, looks like Gardner is nearby. I live in central Mass, is this the Gardner Sandman spoke of? http://www.gardnermattress.com/products.asp |
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jtpoulin wrote: Oooh, looks like Gardner is nearby. I live in central Mass, is this the Gardner Sandman spoke of? http://www.gardnermattress.com/products.asp |
| Yes, but Gardner Mattress is not located in Gardner, MA...haha. It's named after the original owner I believe. If you deal with them, go to the main store in Salem, MA! That's where the owner is and they have better prices there also. I got my latex mattress there but they also have several other quality innerspring models. (hint...the owner will negotiate sometimes). Ask for Gardner Sisk. |
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From here: http://www.gardnermattress.com/process.asp seems like all the processes do involve poly foam (except the latex). Maybe it's something you have to specify that you don't want? |
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jtpoulin wrote:
From here: http://www.gardnermattress.com/process.asp
seems like all the processes do involve poly foam (except the latex). Maybe it's something you have to specify that you don't want? The pocketed coil does not use PU, just has polyester pad over the springs (I think that is okay). Not sure if you want pocketed coils, but that one sounds pretty comfortable with the latex on top of the coils. p.s. there are different qualities of PU foam as well. Some are denser and longer lasting than others. So, 3/4" of high quality would not necessarilly be a deal breaker for me. I bought some HD PU foam for sofa cushions, and it seems to be holding up okay. This message was modified Sep 6, 2010 by sandman
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It says they use 3/4" of 1835 foam in one of their mattresses. The 18 means 1.8 density, from what I can tell. That is standard grade, not a premium or HD grade. I view that as a negative. The only good thing is that they only use 3/4" (at least the one I was looking at). Ideally, I would not use any of this type of foam.
Example: The foam type is 1835. The 18 means a cubic foot of this foam weighs 1.8 pounds. The heavier a piece of foam, the longer it will maintain its shape. The 35 means it takes 35 pounds of pressure to compress a piece of this foam to 25% of its original height. The higher this number means the firmer the piece of foam.
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Thanks Sandman. I may call them and express my concern about the poly foam, see what options I have with that and then maybe go check the beds out. As far as customizing each side of the bed independently for me and my fiancee, can this be done with toppers over a standard innerspring?
Seeing as I'm really new to this game, I'm sure even after research I'll still need to feel this one out for myself (ourselves). I want each of us to be able to change things around as we see fit. The latex beds online seem to make that possible (with the layer exchanges), and I can see it being a possibility with toppers but I just wonder how messy it would get trying to customize each side independently.......
by the way, we are both on the slender side.... she is 5'5" and I am 5'8".......if it makes a difference. This message was modified Sep 6, 2010 by jtpoulin
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You could customize with toppers, but you would probably have to be cutting them down to the right size. If you really want to customize both sides, then you are better off getting latex from one of the places mentioned above. The main question would be do you like latex. So, ideally you would try some all latex beds to get a sense. Most people like them, but a few do not. |
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Thanks Sandman. My fiancee really like the idea of the online latex mattress with their return policies and layer exchanges. We like the ones we've tried in stores....but have never spent a night on one. I wonder if it's worth the hassle of finding a hotel with a latex mattress...... If the return policies are as good as they seem at sleepez and flobeds we could try them out at home and still get our money back (sans shipping) if we decide latex is not for us. If that is the case then the question is, Is our ~$1500 budget enough. Seems like we may have to go with sleepez....and the 8500. If that is not reccomended I'll have to think about it...... |