New DIY Latex/Foam Design
Feb 18, 2012 3:40 PM
Joined: Feb 18, 2012
Points: 6
Details:  Me 5'11" 295lbs... Her 5'7" 200lbs...

Reason: Our 8 year old traditional mattress is sagging in the middle even without anyone on it.  I have started sleeping on the couch since the bed causes me lower back pains (and being in the doghouse most of the time).

Based on the information I am learning on this forum, I am leaning towards doing a DIY setup from FBM.  When I did the designer from flobeds, I got this as the recommendation:

I don't plan on starting with the topper zoning, I will only go to that if I can't find a solution with both agree on with full sheets.  I do plan on using TwinXL beds to seperate her side from my side due to the weight differences.

I was thinking the following:

  • Topper:  My side (3" Latex Medium 32 ILD)  Her side (3" Latex Soft 20 ILD)
  • Mid:  My side (6" Latex Firm 36 ILD)  Her side (6" Latex Medium 29 ILD)
  • Base:  Full King 5LB 5" LUX-HQ (50ILD) Foam 

Thoughts?  Too soft for our weight to start out with?  I know most DIY's recommend starting firm and gradually adding for softness.

Only other question would be is how would tempature be sleeping on 2 layers of latex?  We live in Texas so it gets rather warm here in the summers.  We do plan on buying some really nice hotel quality sheets to go with this bed.

Thanks in advance for any advice you might be able to offer....

Re: New DIY Latex/Foam Design
Reply #5 Feb 22, 2012 8:16 PM
Joined: Dec 23, 2011
Points: 82
From what I've read here (no personal experience), FBM's 36 ILD 6" cores are the same as their 32 ILD toppers. For whatever reason, they've decided that the ILD changes when they cut the foam. The same is supposed to be true regarding their 29 ILD cores and their 20 ILD toppers. FBM only stocks two different grades of latex, if you can believe the posts here on WTBM.

Essentially your idea above would net you 9" of 36 ILD for your side, and 9" of 29 ILD for her side. Based on my experience with my current flobed, that would be a disaster for you two based on the weights you posted for side sleepers.

Her side would be way too soft, and not provide nearly enough support. Your side would likely also be too soft. I'm 6'2, 235lb, and have started with a three layer system of firm/x-frim/s-firm. My wife is the same height as yours but only 150lb, and is sleeping on med/firm/x-firm. Here side is perfect for her so far. She absolutely loves it.

Her side of 28/32/36, it is way too soft for me. My back would be in knots in no time. Your wifes setup would essentially be 29/29/29, and a certain recipe for disaster even if she weighed the same as my wife. My side 32/36/44 is a little too firm right now, but I'm giving it another week before I try swapping any layers. My gut instinct tells me that 32/36/36 is what I'm going to like the best, but I'll leave that testing for another week.

I also believe you won't need the 5" of poly foam if going with 9" of latex. 9" of latex is a lot. You could likely cut the poly layer down to 2 or 3".

This message was modified Feb 22, 2012 by megalops