PU/Latex/Memory Foam Mattress
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Has anyone put together a mattress with PU base, latex in the middle, and memory foam on top? I was laying on a Simmons ComforPedic the other day with this configuration. It felt like Temperpedic support laying in it, but it didn’t have that hard feel when you roll over or sit on it – it actually had a little spring to it. When I was looking at it in a showroom, I was able to see some of the specs on the sheet the sales person was holding: Top layer: 4.5” 5.5lb memory foam – ILD unknown, but possibly 2 different foam ILDs (springs back faster than Temperpedic) Middle layer: 2" 24 ILD latex (said it was to dissipate heat) Bottom: 7" 30 ILD foam (I'm assuming it's PU, but I'm not sure???) From what I've been reading about foam lately, I thought a combination like this would be too soft, but it was really supportive. After laying in it for awhile, it did seem a lot cooler and more comfortable than a Temperpedic. The price for the above configuration was $4200. Any ideas on putting one together for a lot cheaper? |
Re: PU/Latex/Memory Foam Mattress
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Good Lord...I changed my mind again. I'm going with 4" of LUX HQ, 3" of HD36 HQ, 3" Sensus...that's my final answer! This will give me 2" to play around with in a 12" cover. I'm not sure that the LUX will really come into play with when I get 8" of foam above it. I'm going to order it tonight before I have a chance to change my mind. Does anyone think a 2” layer of latex or eggcrate foam really helps to dissipate heat underneath the memory foam? Thanks again for your help and opinions. |
Re: PU/Latex/Memory Foam Mattress
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Steve2u, that sounds perfectly reasonable. 4" may be an inch more than you need for the bottom layer, but if you are targeting a 12" finished height, adding an inch of "filler" there makes sense. I have no idea whether the samples I have are representative or typical, but the ILD 34 "Firm" I have is pretty firm. Subjectively considerably more so than my ILD 38 (as tested) latex. I have a block of 3.0 lb ILD 26 labeled "medium firm" and I would not be afraid of using that in the middle of a mattress. The ILD 44 "Ex Firm" is bottom layer only stuff. My samples are large blocks about 8"x6"x4". If I place my palms in the two sides of the 44 and press them together with all my strength, I can compress the foam only about one inch. However, if you have left youself 2" to play with, going too firm on the support layers should not be a fatal decision. I have a 5.6" ILD 38 (as measured at the factory) talalay latex core, 1" of 32, and 1" of 20. This is very firm and plenty supportive for my 240 lbs. I am adding 2" of memory foam in place of one of the 1" layers of latex to try to soften things up a bit on top. My 3.0 lb foam is from FoamOnline. I also have small samples of V34, V44, V90 from FoamOrder. |
Re: PU/Latex/Memory Foam Mattress
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haysdb, which memo foam are you trying? I thought I'd throw out some foam mattress ideas I've had. how about: 2" Isoform 2" FBM 20 ILD latex 3" FBM 36 HQ PU 3" FBM LUX HQ PU or 2" FBM "5.5lb" (really 4lb) memo foam 1"FBM 20 ILD latex 1"FBM 32 ILD latex 4" FBM 36 HQ PU 2" FBM LUX HQ PU This message was modified Nov 13, 2007 by donw
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Re: PU/Latex/Memory Foam Mattress
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donw wrote: haysdb, which memo foam are you trying? I thought I'd throw out some foam mattress ideas I've had. how about: 2" Isoform 2" FBM 20 ILD latex 3" FBM 36 HQ PU 3" FBM LUX HQ PU or 2" FBM "5.5lb" (really 4lb) memo foam 1"FBM 20 ILD latex 1"FBM 32 ILD latex 4" FBM 36 HQ PU 2" FBM LUX HQ PU I'm considering the Isoform memory foam, but I am concerned at how firm it gets when the temperature drops. Because I will not be laying directly on the memory foam, I need a foam that is not temperature sensitive. Isoform becomes a brick after 10 minutes in the refrigerator. None of the other foams I have get that stiff when left in the FREEZER overnight. OTOH, the coolest my bedroom will ever get is about 64 degrees. I have been conditioned to believe that one measure of the "quality" of a memory foam is a fine and consistent cell structure. This is a characteristic of all of Foamex' foams, and their VPF (vacuum chamber) foams in particular. The other sample I have with a coarse cell structure is garbage. Turns out that's not fair as the Isoform has numerous large cells giving it a rather coarse texture, but it has a soft "hand" and a "luxurious" feel. Something I like about this foam is that you can crush the crap put of it, compress it into a little crushed wad, and it recovers fully within a few seconds without a mark. In fact it's like Foamex Venus in that regard. Other foams will show dents and creases for awhile before they fully recover their original state. I honestly don't know what this means or how important it is, but I think it tells me the Isoform is consistent and resilient. Caveat: This all presumes the samples I have are representative. There is no way for me to know what kind of batch to batch variations there are. This message was modified Nov 14, 2007 by haysdb
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Re: PU/Latex/Memory Foam Mattress
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haysdb - I noticed you have a review on the Easy Fit Wood Foundation. How has it been holding up? A king would cost me about $200 from the manufacturer. I questioned the manufacturer on it being one piece and that I would be concerned about flex - here's what he said: The foundation is one piece but with our design it makes it stronger than a conventional one piece static foundation. I know I could build one, but for this price it probably wouldn't be worth the time. This message was modified Nov 14, 2007 by steve2u
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Re: PU/Latex/Memory Foam Mattress
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I replaced mine with a flexible slat foundation. The BSA foundation is now a bundle of wood in my living room. I'm trying to figure out what to do with it. It's a Cal King. For a rigid foundation, the Easy Fit was a screaming bargain. I added some additional slats to reduce the distance between them. It's not a thing of elegant beauty, but it absolutely will do the job. The king comes as three "beams" running head to foot connecting to end beams. The whole thing goes together with 6 carriage bolts. The slats then cover the entire width and a cover stretches tightly over all of it. You might have to dissemble it to move it, but that's not hard is it takes only a wrench to assemble or disassemble and a perfectly adequate one comes in the parts bag. The issue I had with the rigid foundation is I wasn't getting the hip support I needed from my latex mattress. Rather than try a firmer latex or even zoned latex, I decided to try the Euro slat foundation, which worked out well BTW. My personal preference is for a two-piece foundation. That's one of the things I did not like about the BSA foundation. They are chintzy on the slats, requiring a trip to the lumberyard for additional slats and new webbing. But it's also very inexpensive, so there are going to be some sacrifices. This message was modified Nov 15, 2007 by haysdb
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Re: PU/Latex/Memory Foam Mattress
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haysdb - Do you think the slats would be adequate for supporting my firm bottom layer of 50 ILD LUX - it sounds like the foam is pretty hard? I guess is wouldn't be a big deal for me to add more slats if needed. Also, would you recommend going with two Twin XL's? I asked them if it would fit and they replied: A Twin XL would cost $104.08 each and shipping would be $73. In total it will cost $281.16 compared to $197.21 for the one piece unit. I'm sure I want a ridged foundation instead of Euro and I'm thinking this price would be tough to beat. If I were to build my own, it would probably be stronger (and a lot heavier), take more wood (estimating $150+ for material) and an entire afternoon. Did the cover on it look okay? I have to say, Drew Wagar at BSA http://www.boxsa.com/boxspring.html was really good about answering questions and getting me prices fast. Also, do you realize you have 530 posts? I may have the same by the time I'm done building my bed. |
Re: PU/Latex/Memory Foam Mattress
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steve2u wrote: haysdb - Do you think the slats would be adequate for supporting my firm bottom layer of 50 ILD LUX - it sounds like the foam is pretty hard? I guess is wouldn't be a big deal for me to add more slats if needed. Also, would you recommend going with two Twin XL's? I asked them if it would fit and they replied: A Twin XL would cost $104.08 each and shipping would be $73. In total it will cost $281.16 compared to $197.21 for the one piece unit. I'm sure I want a ridged foundation instead of Euro and I'm thinking this price would be tough to beat. If I were to build my own, it would probably be stronger (and a lot heavier), take more wood (estimating $150+ for material) and an entire afternoon. Did the cover on it look okay? I have to say, Drew Wagar at BSA http://www.boxsa.com/boxspring.html was really good about answering questions and getting me prices fast. Also, do you realize you have 530 posts? I may have the same by the time I'm done building my bed. The BSA comes with "corrugated material" (aka cardboard) intended to lay over the top of the slats before the cover is stretched over everything. This is actually perfectly adequate. Unfortunately the cardboard is cleverly used as part of the box and mine got pretty mangled in transport. I would probably have chosen not to use it anyway (it just didn't seem right somehow), but it would have served in lieu of the extra slats. I think even without the extra slats OR the cardboard, you would be fine, but I'm not speaking from experience because I did not try it. The cover looked fine. It looks pretty cheesy right out of the box, but once it's stretched over the wood frame (the fit is snug), it looks like a very typical foundation with quilted sides. I am a fan of split support layers and full size comfort layers. It makes the foam pieces vastly easier to manage and allows for different configurations left and right. If the foam pieces are placed inside a zippered cover, the pieces will be held sightly together and you will never know it's not one solid piece when laying on it so long as the top 3" or so is a full-size piece. 530 posts? I would have guessed it was more! |
Re: PU/Latex/Memory Foam Mattress
| Do you think the 2 Twin XL's slat foundations would be worth the extra $80? It seems the slats would have more support in the center and be altogether stronger and more manageable. |
Re: PU/Latex/Memory Foam Mattress
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steve2u wrote: Do you think the 2 Twin XL's slat foundations would be worth the extra $80? It seems the slats would have more support in the center and be altogether stronger and more manageable. I'm sorry, I glossed right over that question, didn't I. The extra center support would only be a factor if your frame does not have a center beam, but only two steel rails running side to side. Even then I don't think it would be anything to be concerned about. But if you'd feel more confident in having the twin center support, I see no downside to it other than the extra cost. As far as the convenience factor goes, I'd say it depends on how often you think you might move. If I'd had the option, I would have bought twin foundations. Twin foundations could be moved easily without having to disassemble anything. |