Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
Apr 5, 2009 10:11 AM
Joined: Feb 8, 2009
Points: 18
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?
  •  Do I need to add more latex? 
  •  Do I need to order a cuddlebed from Costco?
  •  Will a slatted foundation neccessarily make the mattress any softer?  I have been thinking of getting the Versiflex foundation from online.
I think I won't need the foundation anymore once I purchase my platform bed. (It's expensive and I'm still saving for it), but if it will help I'll have to order it. I don't have a lot of money, so I don't want to sink money into the wrong thing.  Suggestions greatly appreciated, as to I have no clue where to begin.
Re: Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
Reply #8 Apr 7, 2009 9:39 PM
Joined: Jan 19, 2009
Points: 64
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.
Reply #9 Apr 8, 2009 8:54 AM
Location: Vancouver, WA
Joined: Feb 9, 2009
Points: 21
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.
Reply #10 Apr 9, 2009 11:53 PM
Location: Vancouver, WA
Joined: Feb 9, 2009
Points: 21
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.
Reply #11 Apr 10, 2009 5:52 PM
Joined: Feb 8, 2009
Points: 18
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.
Reply #12 Apr 10, 2009 7:11 PM
Location: Vancouver, WA
Joined: Feb 9, 2009
Points: 21
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.
Reply #13 Apr 11, 2009 2:51 AM
Location: Vancouver, WA
Joined: Feb 9, 2009
Points: 21
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
Re: Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
Reply #14 Apr 11, 2009 4:10 PM
Joined: Dec 8, 2008
Points: 11
Sorry you are still having pain......I hope you find a combo that works for you.

FYI on slatted foundations: we ordered the slatted foundation from Michigan Discount Mattress, size queen. Hubby put it together only to discover that it won't fit in our queen bed with rails. It is too wide at the headboard, where there is an extra amount of wood. We had to disassemble it and return it at our expense. So, if anyone else is considering ordering one, beware. Our standard queen spring box foundation fits in the frame fine, maybe b/c of the flexibility of it.

Off to try the DIY one in thread or buy a box foundation locally.
Re: Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
Reply #15 Apr 16, 2009 2:05 PM
Joined: Feb 8, 2009
Points: 18
Well, went to see the guy who makes the coil box spring.  He stated he's been making mattresses for over 50 years and was vehemently against placing a latex mattress on a coiled box spring.  He had me to try several mattresses, some latex, some not.  When we finally found the mattress with the softness I desired.  He suggested he build a slatted foundation for $100 bucks, and I should add a 2"-3" layer of medium latex between the firm core and soft topper. He suggested I may be sinking in the soft topper and reaching the firm core.  He advised that it would be more expensive for me to purchase latex layer from him, b/c his price is much higher than FBM.  I am so frustrated, and just want a good nights sleep.  I just can't keep spending money with no results. Does anyone have experience or suggestions, will the medium layer really make a difference?
Re: Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
Reply #16 Apr 16, 2009 3:05 PM
Joined: May 3, 2008
Points: 827
Did the mattress maker say WHY not put the latex on the box spring? Too heavy? I can see just putting 2-3" latex on a regular mattress, but probably not more than that. I also think you are sinking into the firm layer. What is the ILD of the soft? 22? Not sure what your weight is, so can't not sure what you need. But unfortunately it is trial and error. What is the firm ILD? Maybe memory foam would help. Not sure. Good luck and let us know what finally works. I had a cuddlebed, it didn't help me, I removed it. Everyone is different though.
Re: Latex Mattress has arrived, suggestions needed.
Reply #17 Apr 16, 2009 4:45 PM
Joined: Feb 8, 2009
Points: 18
He stated the latex needed to breathe and should be put on slatted foundation.  (Shaun at SleepEz advised it was ok to use coil box spring).  The 6" core is firm, (not sure of ILD, maybe 40), the 2" topper is 20ILD.  I am a large person.
This message was modified Apr 16, 2009 by gracie14