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Hi all, Been doing my reading and caught the DIY bug. FBM seems like the best deal around. Here's what I had in mind for our new queen mattress.
Any advice would be much appreciated. I'm shooting for a relatively firm mattress that would be suitable for my gf and I (185lbs and 115lbs) and would last a few years. Thanks |
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Phoenix wrote: I believe that this is an improvement on your previous layering even though it has saved you some money. In general a 3" comfort layer is the beginning point from which you either go up or down depending on weight and sleeping patterns and other factors. This has 4" which I believe is better than 5".
In terms of comfort, 1" soft over 3" of what could be called "medium on the border of firm" is bordering on a firm overall comfort layer but it is in thinner layers which makes it "act" softer. This may be OK more for you than your GF. In general lighter people (like your girlfriend) prefer and need thinner and softer comfort layers because they don't sink in as far and heavier people need a little thicker and maybe a bit firmer because their definition and perception of "firm" is often firmer than someone who is lighter. Sometimes there is a problem with side sleeping that the shoulders don't sink in enough to a firmer layering and end up being "raised" in relation to the hips which can cause alignment issues or not sinking in enough which can lead to pressure issues. Men are "more likely" to have broader shoulders and have more "issues" there and women in general have broader hips and have more "issues" there. The shoulders come "into play" more in side sleeping and the hips/pelvis comes into play in all positions since in both men and women the hips and pelvis can sink in too far and causing "hammocking" which also puts the spine out of alignment in all 3 positions. You like a firm mattress so your overall construction seems pretty good to me ... assuming you actually get what you order. If I was to change anything ... and bearing in mind that I have no actual feedback to go by so am relying on "averages" the only change I may make would be to make the 1" talalay 32 ILD a little softer (24-28) but they don't seem to have that available on any of their websites esxcept as a thicker layer inside their mattresses. May be worth a call to see. Other than that ... it's nice to see how well thought out your mattress is and how carefully you are making choices that lead to the "best for the least". I really like that kind of thinking as I share it :) Phoenix. If I go wit this setup and she's not comfortable and needs something softer, do you think something like the cuddlebed would work?
Unrelated, but would it be okay to have the latex+2 foams (8") in an encasement, and the base on my slats? foambymail does a max of 8" for a case. |
Phoenix, I hope you agree with everything above as I pulled the trigger!  |
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The "cuddlebed" may make it "feel" softer but it probably won't help with pressure relief ... especially as it compresses so it depends on whether she would need something that "felt soft" or something that was "pressure relieving". With latex it is very important to have a case around it as ultraviolet light and ozone can cause it to degrade and breakdown much faster. Poly not so much but I would probably tend to use a case that fit around all of it. I would also tend to use a case that was as "elastic" as possible as it will help with the feel and performance of the latex and a "less elastic" case may not work as well with a "firmer" comfort layer. If you want to sleep on wool or something else rather than directly on the latex, you could always add it as a mattress pad. If foambymail can't make their terry "upgrade" cover in a 10" version (ask them when you talk to them), then I would consider getting one either at http://www.foamorder.com or at http://sleepez.com/mattresscomponents.htm. They may cost you a bit more but I believe would be worth it. In the end though if I had to leave a layer out for the sake of having a lower cost cover ... it would be a poly layer. Phoenix |
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I see we were posting at the same time :) Given what I posted in the last (simultaneous) post, everything makes sense to me. Congratulations ... and I really hope you will post here to let us know how things work out. You are clearly anxious to "get sleeping" (laughing) Phoenix |
| You bet I'm anxious! I'm excited, but nervous too. The gf is very skeptical, if it was up to her we would be going with a cheap S brand! Ill definitely be back to share the results of my setup. I'm hoping I have good news to report, but I accept the possibility that adjustments might be needed. I'm thinking the likely complaint will be "its too firm!". Ill cross that bridge when I get to it. Thanks for helping me get started, phoenix. See you soon.. |
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Some people here that have used their soft latex find it firmer than the 20 ILD rating. Possibly because their process is different than Latex International and possibly because the rating is innacurate. I think others in the past have thought that there was little difference in firmness between the soft and medium. So, a bit of a crap shoot in trying to determine what it will really feel like. My guess is that this setup will be on the firmer side. It seems like that may be what you want. If end up wanting it softer at the very top comfort layer, you may want to add a little memory foam or Latex International talalay. |
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sandman wrote: Some people here that have used their soft latex find it firmer than the 20 ILD rating. Possibly because their process is different than Latex International and possibly because the rating is innacurate.
I think others in the past have thought that there was little difference in firmness between the soft and medium. So, a bit of a crap shoot in trying to determine what it will really feel like. My guess is that this setup will be on the firmer side. It seems like that may be what you want. If end up wanting it softer at the very top comfort layer, you may want to add a little memory foam or Latex International talalay. Just so I'm prepared, would I be looking at 1" of soft LI talalay on top if it's too firm? Obviously there are many variables, but I'd be curious if you'd think thats enough based on the setup. Thanks |
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Assuming that what you get is really what you ordered ... my "backup" plan would be to replace the 1" 32 ILD with 1" of softer Talalay. The reason I wouldn't add it is because it could make the comfort layers too thick for best alignment (4" is already "on the thick side"). I suspect that this may be enough for your GF if it was too firm for her (again assuming that the layers you get really are the correct ILD) and could also be good for you as well (4" to sink into on your side). The 32 ILD Talalay would act as the top of her "support layer" and would likely also be soft enough to accomodate your side sleeping with the firmer poly underneath acting as your support layer. As Sandman mentioned ... using memory foam in the comfort layering and what you put on top will also make a difference and can be part of any "final adjustments". Of course YMMV. Sandman in particular has a lot of personal experience with "thin layering" using different materials. Phoenix This message was modified Dec 30, 2010 by Phoenix
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I ended up with a number of 1" pieces not by plan, but by a series a guesses over time as to what I thought I would work. Ideally I would have 1-2 thicker pieces, but the way I have it seems to work okay for me. In part I have been fearful of spending more for a 2+" pieces only to find that it is too much of a certain firmness. As everyone on this forum knows, it is difficult to be able to try out different combinations (especially to sleep on) to really narrow down what will work best. Phoenix is one of the few to put the time and effort into doing that. Anyway, you will probably find that one of you will be happy with the setup and one will think it is too soft or firm! People that buy from Sleepez, flobeds, etc. often end up having 1/2 of the mattress setup different from the other half. For a full size that is a bit harder to do, but you will have the option of cutting pieces down the middle to potentially customize each side. That might work if you have the pieces in a cover tight enough to hold them together. I am not totally crazy about the idea, because it can make the mattress softer in the middle. With a king size that is not as much of an issue. So hopefully you will be able to come up with something that is okay for both of you.
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I agree with others that this is likely going to be too hard/firm. You will likely need at least another 1 inch of 20 ILD... just my guess, unless you are both back sleepers (requires less shape accommodation by your mattress, so firm works better for back sleepers). Even the 20 ILD latex is pretty supportive. I would personally rate 32ILD and up ... all nine inches below your one inch... quite firm to "rock". I have bought 20 ILD in both 1 inch and 2 inch from FBM, and found the 2 inch significantly denser and firmer than the one inch. My current configuration: 1 inch 4 lb memory foam from overstock.com (find details and links by searching shovel99 and mattress surgery), 2 x one inch 20 ILD latex from FBM, 1 inch "super soft" poly foam from foamdistributing.com sister site to FBM (this is about 20 ILD.) These 4 inches are on the springs of a Serta Perfect Sleeper, Auburn Firm, replacing the 2 one inch layers of very similar foam to the super soft (indistinguishable from it , actually) and one inch very similar to 1 inch of HD 36... and a fairly firm 3/4 inch top layer on the original mattress. Though my stack is similar with exception of 1 firm layer, the feel is worlds apart. My 170 lb (6 foot) does not sink into the 2 inches of 20 ILD + supersoft ( equivalent of 3 inches of 20 ILD) much at all. For boney me, it takes the semi soft inch of memory foam to relieve pressure points. I have lower back pain, and have learned that I need as firm as I can stand, but also sleep both on back and side, and that combination is very tricky. I am working my way toward maximum 3-4 inches of soft on top of the firm springs.
Good luck and check back with your thoughts and lots of good folks here can help guide you.
Search shovel99 and mattress surgery and you can read some of my detailed observations. I am 170 lb male, |