Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
|
My FBM latex mattress has arrived. I have a 2" soft latex topper over a 6" firm core. I ordered firm due to my size, however, I prefer a plush feeling sleep system. I am still waking up sore in several places. My existing box spring was shot, so I discarded it. My mattress is currently on the floor. My question is where to start to go about making it more comfortable?
|
Re: Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
|
I'm not unhappy, it just took too long to find what I wanted (you have to be careful when judging using other peoples opinions, after reading here I thought latex would feel more luxurious). I had to make a spare bed anyway, and the 6" base, 2" soft latex, and 2" mem foam are fine for that. Its still a very nice bed that will be used a lot by us and others. Its just that having all these different layers gave me the option or really tweaking the master bed to a really great one. The best layers are going to the master bed (basically a slightly softer core and 3" of mem foam instead of 2". I meant that I assumed to much about how much I would like the all latex. We tried in stores first (for 10-15 min) before starting the DIY, but when we slep[t on it, we just found it lacked just what the mem foam gave. The combo is awesome. I don't need a cuddle bed, and so far all the layers I bought are going to good use. I haven't returned any. I still got 2 killer kingsized beds for under $2000. Maybe I would have been happy with a package bought mem foam bed from the start, but FBM's got iffy reviews for mem foam. Cloud 9 has them for under $700 (under $1000 for pillow top), with polyurethane bases, so I could have saved there. Most "nicer" online mem foam beds are way over $1000, so I still feel I did well price wise for 2 kings. I do wonder why no one uses latex bases for mem foam beds...maybe just cost, but the combo feels very good. |
Re: Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
| Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I actually think it's the foundation that's more of the problem. I placed the mattress atop my old coiled mattress, which is atop a piece of plywood, and now it's too soft. I guess you do truly feel whatever is underneath the latex. I am going to start by ordering the slatted foundation, I guess. And if it's still too firm, I will add maybe a mem foam topper? I spoke wtih FBM who advised that adding more latex would only make the bed firmer and suggested a convoluted topper or memory foam topper. |
Re: Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
| Now I'm really confused. I spoke w/Shaun at SleepEz, I explained my situation to him. Even though I told him I did not buy a mattress from him, he still took the time to answer my questions (He is one great guy). He suggested that I purchase a coil box spring. He explained that a slatted foundation will only help mattress maintain it's firmness. He advised that a coil box spring will have the give I need to soften mattress. He suggested I try Sam's Wholesale or Costco. I did not find one at Sam's Club. I wonder if I should get coil box spring and maybe another topper? |
Re: Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
|
Hi, Gracie! My set up in the works will be close to yours, -2 inches of latex. I have some FBM latex on the way now, few more days, they sent me a ups tracking number a couple days after ordering and a confirm order invoice right after ordering also. (not sure why some other posts were saying FBM didnt inform you of shipping or ordering information via e-mail) Plan on going for 12" and right now its at 8", Queen size. Weight 140lbs but 2 years ago did weigh just over 160. It depends on what and how much I eat. 3" 32 ILD Latex (FBM) 1" 32 ILD Latex (FBM) 1" 20 ILD Latex (FBM) 3" 14 ILD 5lb Density Cloud9 Memory Foam. Right now, I'm using the Memory Foam on top of a very old coil mattress. I plan to throw this mattress away after I find the correct firmness of HR+Latex base foam. I also plan to use the 1" 20 ILD over top the memory foam just to see how it feels. I will be buying some HR foam for under the latex, 43 ILD 2" and 36 ILD 2" as the mattress base, on top of hard wood frame. Some people said don't get that much memory foam (2"+) but I love it, it depends on your weight and the density of the foam. I can place my memory foam on the ground and it feels great, after it warms up there is a slight bottom out on the floor with 3". When I double up the memory foam on the floor to 6" and watch a movie (around 2 hours and the foam is warmed) I never bottom out. I could sleep on 6" of memory foam. I think most people under 160lbs can sleep on as much memory foam as they want with out bottoming out. IF the foam is higher density 5lb, 6lb or more. This message was modified Apr 7, 2009 by Phalse
|
Re: Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
|
WOW - After reading all of this thread and a few that are similar I have to ask if anyone that buys a latex core and then experiments with DIY bed design and engineering ever crosses the goal line and "scores" the perfect combo and regular good sleep??? Buying different toppers of different thickness and density and etc. sounds extremely expensive and time consuming and from what most posters share all that is frustrating and unsuccessful and, worse, at the end no one seems to get a consistently good night's sleep. Please know that I am not trying to sound negative or critical of this approach and I sincerely wish all you DIY bed engineeers/designers the very best of luck!! (and the more I read the happier I am that my bride and I didn't take this route.) Best Wishes to All and Good Sleeping! This message was modified Apr 7, 2009 by imjay
|
Re: Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
|
Almost bought a core, except it was just so heavy to move. That was the only reason I don't just have a 6" latex FBM 32ILD + 2"-3" memory foam. I was so close to buying the core but the freaking thing is gigantic! Also I wanted a 12" profile so If I did get the huge core 6" latex + 2"-3" memory foam, I would still need 3"-4" of either more latex or HR/HD foam. This way is the same price (because I want 12" with good base foam or a full base of latex) but I don't have a huge core and I get a 1" 20 ILD latex topper for on top of my memory foam. Even if I didnt go with a 12" and just went with 8"-9" , in this example your not spending any more money by getting layers vs the core. The cost is the same. Now if you mean, why don't we just buy a mattress, the reason is I don't want to carry that huge heavy 12" mattress around and its glued together so it must be replaced all at once if one layer fails (or spend money for a warrenty, ship it back, oh what fun) AND the reason those are cheaper to buy in the store is because they give you crap materials. (Unless you spend around $1000 or more on a mattress with all high quality components, then we are saving they money!) This message was modified Apr 8, 2009 by Phalse
|
Re: Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
|
The reason you see these cheap mattress prices online or in threads is because those people buy base foam from FBM/JC penny Foam/ or other cheap HD-Lux Foams. Then throw a FBM latex topper or memory foam on top. It's impossible to buy lower quality materials.....the cheapest you can get, THIS is what you get when you buy stuff from costco. Thats not for me, I would rather have all quality components. The lowest quality component I have in my mattress is FBM latex and judging by the pictures here its quality is decent compared to FBM Lux-foam/memory foam quality. Probably because you can't really screw up rubber/gum, it all comes imported from china/asia anyways, they just pour it into molds here in the USA. Actual HR foam from foamex that has a warrenty is not cheap. Thats how you save money and why you think we are spending a lot ordering FBM latex + memory foam + HR foam. Imagine the price on actual latex beds....that dont use FBM latex, jesus your talking $2000 for just the mattress with nothing else, no box sping, no nice hardwood base nothing, just the mattress. This message was modified Apr 9, 2009 by Phalse
|
Re: Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
|
Hi, Phalse Well, I found a mattress manufacturer locally who makes coiled box springs. The cost for a queen is $136 bucks. I may give that a try. |
Re: Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
|
Wow, thats a cheap price for a box spring. I think it worth a try! Good luck! This message was modified Apr 10, 2009 by Phalse
|
Re: Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
|
I just got my FBM latex in, just tonight and after laying on it, I would say "add" more latex. x2 1" FBM latex 20 ILD. Or 1" 32 ILD + 1" 20 ILD I'm making a thread right now on it so you can read my opinion on the latex. The rest of this post is about a nice box spring, which I also want to upgrade mine later to a tension slat frame. Now if he hand makes you the box spring, he could make the top of the box spring have more boards going across which would support your foam without it slipping between large cracks. I'm sure you have seen this thread but it has pictures of slatted foundation but you should upgrade the frame later and have him make you a hybrid box spring + slatted top So here is slatted foundation http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/diy-slat-foundation-pictures-included/4898-0-1.html It would be nice to have a custom box spring with a slatted top. Instead of a box spring, like I use with a flat thick oak board between it and the mattress. You can just lay the mattress right on your custom box spring. This would be a really nice custom job. If you decide to not get a box spring for foam mattress, you can get a slat foundation like the one in that thread OR they make one where the slats are longer than the frame, this adds tension to the slats as they bend upwards, they need to be very close together for a foam mattress though. They make these foundations for both spring and foam, the difference is how far the slats are apart. When you place the mattress on top, these slats push down from the weight, they also push upwards, just like a box spring would do. As you lay on the mattress the slats bend downwards, increasing upward tension even more, like a box spring. I think the best foundation is a custom made "close slat" top box spring OR a "close slat" tension frame. I have a ghetto middle road solution, box spring for coil mattress and since foam will slip between the frame slats (very wide apart) there is a board between. I'll upgrade my frame later. This message was modified Apr 11, 2009 by Phalse
|