Longevity of Latex Foam?
Sep 16, 2009 4:52 PM
Joined: Aug 21, 2009
Points: 486
Everyone is posting about how their foam-on-top-of-coil mattresses crap out with permanent depressions after anywhere from a few months to a year.  I'm wondering what people's experience is with the longevity of the latex mattresses?  I'm about to spring for a 10" latex mattress set (yes, all latex) but it's about $2.5k, and I'm worried I'm going to end up with the same problem.  That's a lot of money to lay out to end up with back-wrenching body depressions.

For the record, I am going with the Custom Comfort Mattress Company (local company in Orange County, CA) latex mattress, they use LI blended Talalay latex (Talatech), there will be a six inch firmer core with 2" softer latex on the top and on the bottom (because their mattresses are two sided).

Has anyone here had a latex mattress for a significant length of time (say 3-5 years) and have experience with whether the latex holds up?
Re: Longevity of Latex Foam?
Reply #10 Sep 18, 2009 2:16 AM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
Here's the link to MequonJim's post:
http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/foam-mail-latex-latex-international-latex-comparison/5397-0-1.html
Re: Longevity of Latex Foam?
Reply #11 Sep 18, 2009 9:35 AM
Location: Mequon, WI
Joined: Aug 30, 2007
Points: 363
mattressnewbie wrote:
Hi Jim!

Was it you who had posted pix comparing the two - LI vs fbm's latex?  I had tried to find that thread again a couple weeks ago, but couldn't find it...  Would you mind pointing me to it, please? 

I've been waffling over spending the extra $$$ on LI...  Budget's a little tight.  In your personal opinion, would FBM's latex still be ok for a bottom layer?  Also, I forget - do you tend to like a firmer or softer feel?  I like firm mattresses (prefer sleeping on my stomach, but due to my current old mattress killing my lower back when I do that, have been sleeping on my side, but I cannot fall into a deep sleep on my back!).  So, I had been thinking of a couple options:

Option 1:

All LI latex (probably from sleeplikeabear or sleepez (think sleepez's latex might be from one of 4 places though, rather than definitely all LI, according to what I read on their site))

3" 100% natural - Dunlop process for firm base

3" medium 30-32 ILD Blended Talalay for top layer

Option 2:

6" of FBM's firm (33-38 ILD) Talalay (they don't offer the firm in a 3" that I can see - maybe their Medium (32 ILD) would be firm enough?  But they say it's Talalay, not Dunlop, and I've been reading Dunlop feels firmer...) for base

3" medium 30-32 ILD Blended Talalay made by LI for top layer (same as option 1)

I did buy the Natura Washable Wool Fitted Mattress Pad from dreamsoftbedware.com to use as a topper (description: Natura's Washable Wool Fitted Mattress pad has a 3/4 inch layer of pure wool fill quilted inside a 100% cotton sateen cover.)  Picked this one because I didn't think it would be too thick and leave me feeling like I had to crawl out of my mattress, and it's washable!    And some kind soul (forget who - sorry!) had let the forum know about a 30% off code for Labor Day!

Do you, or any of the other most excellent contributors to this forum, have any thoughts/opinions on this set up?  I'm 5'4", 140lbs, and "curvy" (read: big hips and butt, but small waist)  if that helps with the advice...  I appreciate your all's time!!  Hope I'm not committing any faux pas's by tagging my request for opinions/advice onto your thread, Kimberly??  Please excuse if so!!

Thanks!
Mary


Hi Mary,

Yes, it was me that posted those pictures.  Someone else linked the thread above.  In my opinion, it is not worth the risk in buying FBM for a bottom layer.  Especially for a stomach sleeper.  In my experience with the company (2 purchases of 3 total items) their ILDs are all over the place.  Even within my 6" firm core, I can flip it over and get vastly different firmness.  I think one side may be firm enough for stomach sleeping, but there is no guarantee that a core you get would have a firm enough side.  The other side of my 6" firm core is not even close to being firm enough for stomach sleeping.  It would destroy your body in short time.  That experience, plus their return policy [worst in the industry that I am aware of], are not worth the potential savings, in my opinion.  You are better off going with a source that can provide quality latex and paying accordingly.  This is an investment that will last a long time, and something you spend 1/3 of your life in direct contact with.  A poor mattress can do serious damage to your health.

Is it possible that you can go somewhere and try out some of these mattress layer ideas?  Or anything similar?  Otherwise, with stomach sleeping you definitely want a very firm base and just enough cush that you will not toss and turn.

Best of luck to you!
Re: Longevity of Latex Foam?
Reply #12 Sep 18, 2009 3:30 PM
Joined: Sep 7, 2009
Points: 22
Thanks for posting the link, Jimsocal!!

MequonJim,

Thanks for the quick reply and for the advice!!  Yeah - I tried looking for someplace that carried latex mattresses but only really came up with IKEA, so I tried theirs.  The one that I liked the best was the Erfjord because it was nice and firm - I believe someone said it was made with Dunlop processed latex?  That's why I was thinking of going with a Dunlop-processed latex for my base/bottom layer with a firm ILD (sleepez has them with 38-40 ILD).  Do you think this would be a good idea?  Would 3" be enough for my "bottom layer"?  Or do you think I'd need 6" of that?  I was going to put 3" of Talalay-processed blended latex with a medium (30-32) ILD on top of it (was thinking "blended" because folks were saying it had "spring" so I was thinking that sounded like I wouldn't get that "sinking" feeling, but might provide some cushion...) 

Do you think this set up would provide enough firmness for a belly sleeper?  Would it be TOO firm?  Guess I could always add an inch of something if that were the case...  I welcome anyone's opinions who care to respond!!

Thanks to everyone for all the input and advice!!!  Really appreciate it!!! 

Mary

Re: Longevity of Latex Foam?
Reply #13 Sep 18, 2009 8:41 PM
Location: Mequon, WI
Joined: Aug 30, 2007
Points: 363
I would think 6" total thickness would be a minimum.  It may work out for you with that configuration, I'm not absolutely sure.  I guess you could always add another layer if need be.  I don't have your curves, but I suppose they would be more significant if you were a side sleeper.  It is always a tough call with this do it yourself stuff.  So if you can, buy from a place with a reasonable return/exchange policy, that might be your best bet.

I hope you find what you are looking for.
Re: Longevity of Latex Foam?
Reply #14 Sep 18, 2009 11:30 PM
Joined: Sep 7, 2009
Points: 22
MequonJim,

Thanks again for the reply and your opinions!!  I apologize if you've already posted this in another thread, but for reference, could you please let me know what kind of foundation you have your bed on?  I was reading in some of the other posts, that this can really make a difference in how firm a bed feels!  Thanks!!!

Re: Longevity of Latex Foam?
Reply #15 Sep 19, 2009 10:14 AM
Location: Mequon, WI
Joined: Aug 30, 2007
Points: 363
I have a platform bed that is very sturdy and the slat spacing is 1.5"  I would consider it very firm with no flex.

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