Help! 44 ILD Talalay, or 36 ILD Dunlop latex for core?
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Please help me fix a problem. Can anyone tell me comparisons between 6" of 44 ILD Talalay latex foam and 6" of 36 ILD Dunlop foam? Would the 44ILD be necessarily more firm than the 36 ILD, or would the Dunlop be more firm than the Talalay? One of these will be used as core underneath 2-4 inches of softer layers of Talalay latex in a frankenbed. I had been under the assumption that ILD measures firmness, so specifically 6" of 32 ILD Dunlop as a core would feel the same as 6" of 32 ILD Talalay. With that assumption, I ordered several Talalay latex foam layers online to duplicate a very spendy mattress at a store we tried for five minutes. The result was waaaay too plush. I still have time to order something else and try out different combinations before the 30 day return period of my original order expires, but I can't mess up this time. For the record, we're going from an innerspring mattress that was labeled "Extra Firm." My husband sometimes sleeps on his stomach so he needs firm, but sometimes on his side or back, and I am a back/side sleeper. We're of average height and weight. I can order 6" (two 3" layers) of 44 ILD Talalay or, for some more money, a split 6" core of 36 ILD Dunlop. I'm more concerned with getting the right comfort than with saving the cost difference, but I don't want to incur the cost of ordering both knowing I'll have to return one. Thanks! |
Re: Help! 44 ILD Talalay, or 36 ILD Dunlop latex for core?
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Leo3 wrote: Does you both sleep good on the latex otherwise? No pressure points or pain? We both sleep well on the latex. We don't have major complaints (no fibromyalgia, back disc problems, etc) in general; we were simply looking to replace an aged innerspring that had outlived its useful life and we were both waking up with general back pain and aches, like we could use good massages. I'm a side and back sleeper, and both positions are more comfortable for me. When I sleep on my side I keep a pillow between my knees to keep my spine aligned, and that helps. I've started putting the same pillow under my feet when I sleep on my back, so it's not just in the way, and that works for me. I'm using a cheap memory foam pillow I bought at a discount store and it's too hard for my head; it bends my neck up too much. Now with the latex mattress I'm certainly sleeping better; I think my husband is still adjusting too it. As the gentleman at SleepEZ told me, any time anyone gets a new mattress they'll need about two to three weeks to adjust to it. I think that's why some stores force people to wait a certain amount of time before they can return or exchange a mattress. I am even considering getting a shredded latex pillow now; I tried a shredded memory foam pillow at the furniture store and it felt really good, and pillowflex.com has good prices on a shredded latex pillow. My usual pillows stop having the cloud-like feeling after about a year. I think after all is said and done, building your own latex foam mattress using toppers and a futon cover can save you money over one of those stores where they'll sell you the package deal, but you risk getting the wrong layers and losing your savings after paying return shipping. If I'd known then what I know now, I would have bought one of those packaged solutions and had a "real" mattress cover at the same time (some mattress covers have the wool in them too), just to save time and aggravation. It's hard to get through the day when you haven't slept well. But if you want to save some bucks, I think the futon cover is not a bad way to go, with eight or nine inches of foam in it if you want a plush feel, or 10 if you want a firm feel. For the record, here's what we have: - Our old boxspring foundation with a sheet of plywood because it was dipped in the middle. We might replace it. - 3" of 44 ILD Talalay - 3" of 40 ILD Talalay - 3" of 24 ILD Talalay - 1" of 19 ILD Talalay 3/4" fleece wool topper (above the cover) The 24 ILD is actually 2" and 1". We tried the 44, 40, and 2" of 24 ILD, for 8" of foam. My husband felt like he was "bottoming out" when sitting up. Next night we added the 19 ILD. The next night we put the last inch of 24 under the 19. Even though the cover was tighter, the result was a bit squishier. We like it. |
Re: Help! 44 ILD Talalay, or 36 ILD Dunlop latex for core?
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Well good and congratulations on sleeping more comfortably! Lynn has a mattress set from Flo-bed, and she raves about her mattress cover, she probably would suggest asking if they would sell you just the cover. Not sure how much that costs though, or if the thickness of the covers. Just a thought. I think it has wool in it, so you probably don't need that. I also think that wool pad you have helps with the jiggling problem some people (me included) experience when sleeping directly on latex. Maybe the different ILDs getting just right help too. It is a fine art, and congratulations for getting there. I tried a shredded latex pillow for 5 minutes, it felt great. I have 3 different latex pillows (different thicknesses). I ended up using the one from Sears that is Latex International pillow. I like it, it is higher than the other pillows. I use to have a memory foam pillow too, same thing too, it wore out. |
Re: Help! 44 ILD Talalay, or 36 ILD Dunlop latex for core?
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Leo3 wrote: I also think that wool pad you have helps with the jiggling problem some people (me included) experience when sleeping directly on latex. Maybe the different ILDs getting just right help too. It is a fine art, and congratulations for getting there. Thanks for the input. As it so happens, we received our original latex layers before we received the wool topper or a cover, so our first nights were spent directly on the latex protected by extra flat sheets draped over them. We received the wool topper next. You are right, the wool topper definitely reduces the jiggling and made it feel more like a "real" mattress. Enclosing the foam in a zippered cover helped even more. Good luck to you in finding your right solution! |
Re: Help! 44 ILD Talalay, or 36 ILD Dunlop latex for core?
| Where did you find a coupon for the wool topper? It doesn't seem to be on sale anymore. This may be my next attempt, as I have tried so many combinations with what I have. I just am not sure if the wool topper backing will block the 3 lb. memory foam from being soft. I like the idea there are no seam lines or lumps, bumps, or anything on a wool topper. Now I find I am sinking in too much, yet my shoulders can't sink in. |