Mattress Forum

Sall wrote:

Sall, what configuration did you use for zoning? (I looked around and didn't see a post about it; if I missed it, feel free to just point me in the right direction.) My limited attempts have been abysmal so far, so of course I'm curious about what is working for other folks.

Thanks!

I actually tried to mimic the Custom Sleep Design model that they sent me with what I had on hand.  I needed soft near my shoulders and used a 14 ILD (2 inches) for my upper body, and used 2 inches of 22 for my hips on down.  Under that 2 inches, I had 2 more inches of 22-24 ILD, and then a 32 ILD latex mattress from Original Mattress Factory (too hard for my shoulders).  It worked pretty well but when FloBeds had a half price sale on V-zones I bought one of those for myself and gave mine to my wife (we're working with TXL here).  The Vzone is pretty good but i think the Custom Sleep Design model is better and more customized but much more expensive than the half price model I got from Flobeds.  Custom Sleep Design's prices skyrocketed recently since I first checked (about $1300) and for some reason I was quoted $3300 for a Twin XL recently vs Flobeds seconds (for about $900).  Even Flobed's full price is "only" about $1800. 

My main problem is finding latex soft enough for the shoulder area (and maybe for an overall top comfort layer).   The softest FBM has is 20ILD, and I'm pretty convinced it's not really that soft; SLAB sent me some Talatech samples, and although the FBM 20ILD is softer than the SLAB 32 ILD, it is considerably firmer than the SLAB 19ILD.     So I'm wondering where I can find something that is significantly softer than the FBM 20 ILD without paying roughly $200 per 1" queen-size layer (SLAB's price).   Any ideas ?

Well, that makes sense. Thanks for the info.

Sure wish I'd known about that CSD tool months ago. Although even now that I know about it and have used it -- twice -- I'm a tad lost. The zoning I'd need for back sleeping is different from the zoning I'd need for side sleeping, and lately I've been sleeping on my back a lot more.

Both designs start with 2" of 14 ILD under the shoulders -- and I have 14ILD (in a full-size piece) and don't actually like it. Thought I did, at first, but would prefer 19 or so now.

Where did you get the 22ILD latex? (mattresses.net?) I know that SleepEZ has 22-24 ILD available.

And yeah, CSD's prices are really up there. Are you satisfied with the Flobeds VZone or are you going to tweak it more?

RustyShackleford wrote:

That is really useful information. If I toss more $ at this and try zoning again, I might try using an inch of FBM 20ILD as a medium layer for the hips --> feet.

Keep an eye on SLAB's "miscellaneous foam scraps" page; in addition to the scraps of various sizes, sometimes there are entire toppers. Still not cheap (and not returnable), but I'm sure they'd be in decent shape. I bought a 1" 32ILD scrap that was flawless.

Other than that... I dunno. Any independent bedding manufacturers in your area? Might also be worth calling SleepEZ, Flobeds, and mattresses.net just to see if they have what you want and it just isn't listed on their websites.

I have a 2" full-size 14ILD topper that I'm not using. It killed my back.

I think I bought the 2 inch 22-24 ILD from Sleepez and the one inch 14 ILD from SLAB along with the other soft one inch (22 ILD?) from SLAB.  I also purchased a 6 inch 28 ILD and a 3 inch 22 ILD from mattresses.net (Arizona Premium Mattress) for our spare bedroom beds (those were high quality as well and their prices were excellent.)  mattresses.net also had things that weren't on their web site in case you are interested in something else.....so worth checking.  I found mattresses.net prices to be the best if they have what you are looking for.  You do have to pay shipping though.

For the zoning, I used the 1 inch of 14 ILD folded over (rather than cut) for the upper part of my body (shoulders) and the 1 inch of 22 for the lower part on the same level.

I am happy with the Flobed but I may tweak it a tad because the 1 inch wool cover mutes the feel of the latex and the vzone layer is covered by the wool cover and the 2 inches of convoluted latex.  Besides changing the layers around, I've even considered taking the top cover off and/or covering it with a thin stretchy zipper cover....not sure I want to do that but I do like the feel of just sleeping on a sheet or something thin on top of the latex.  I tried that with the 6 inch slab of 28 ILD and it was great for my shoulders and I slept really well.  I think my lower back didn't like it though....  Sometimes it's hard to separate the medical issues from the bed comfort issues in making these decisions (maybe it was the lack of my wife's snoring that allowed me to sleep better in the other room?).  I probably would have stuck with my original configuration but couldn't pass up the Flobeds 1/2 price deal since it almost cost more to buy all those pieces separately than the $900 for the whole vzone mattress.

I hope this helps anyone who is considering a DIY job in the future.

Sall wrote:

I've been pleased with the terry-cloth zippered cover from FBM. Didn't think it would fit when I first unpacked it, but it did expand and fit just fine. Very stretchy.

Rusty, another possible source for latex (or other foam):

http://www.foamonline.com/ -- click "Custom" in the navigation menu, click the shape you want, enter dimensions, and select latex from the drop-down list. Then you can select Very Soft (10 ILD), Soft (18 ILD), Medium Soft (28 ILD), and so on. (The actual ILD numbers don't show up until you add the item to your cart. You can click Delete to delete the order if you're just looking to see what they have and what it will cost.)

The site does not provide any more information (that I have found) about the latex -- don't know if it's Talalay or Dunlop processed, blended or natural; don't know the source.

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OK, well, I looked again; there is a little info partway down their Descriptions page, but it still doesn't tell you much. You'd have to call to get specifics, I guess.

I've never thought of zoning with memory foam but it is another option if it works for you.  The 14 ILD latex is very soft like memory foam but I think it gives a little more support but you may not need it for the shoulders.