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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 |
| 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, |
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I think that part of the problem with both FBM and Overstock is that you can never really know the ILD of what they send you and that can make it really hard to predict and even understand sometimes how it reacts. Some of your soft thin layers could easily be over 30 and you could never really know for sure with a layer that thin (except if it kept doing wierd things in different layerings). From the years of feedback I've read on the forum ... it seems more likely that their soft latex will be too firm than their firm latex will be too soft. Phoenix This message was modified Jan 1, 2011 by Phoenix
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Hey All,
So everything I ordered has been received and we've been sleeping on the setup for a few nights. First let me say that I'm very pleased with the quality of everything I received from FBM/FD. Granted, I'm not a latex mattress expert, but the components all seemed to be perfectly acceptable quality with few flaws. That aside, the bed is firm, no doubt about it. Surprisingly, the girlfriend is okay with it, but I think I need to sink in a bit more. Today I woke up with a lower back pain and knew I had to make an adjustment for the sake of comfort. In certain positions, i.e., on my back, I think my rear end is sinking well beyond the 1" soft layer and right into those medium layers. Probably the "best" solution would be to replace a 1" medium with something softer, but I'm already over budget with this project. I'm thinking of trying a mattress pad (cuddle bed, etc.) or egg crate. Any suggestions as to if those will help here?
Thanks! This message was modified Jan 16, 2011 by liquidskin
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A mattress that is too firm has poor support and can cause back issues just as much as a mattress that is too soft (just try sleeping on the floor lol). You actually "want" to go through the 1" layer and then you "want" to sink in enough to the layers under it so they can "fill in the gaps" in your profile enough (form a cradle) to support the recessed areas. The problem is that your shoulders also need to do this and they are lighter and (usually) wider in men. If the foam doesn't "fill in" the lumbar area on either your back or side enough ... there is only "air" supporting your lumbar. Someimes too, lighter bodies are not as likely to experience pressure issues ... expecially when they are younger or if they are more evenly "distributed" ... as their low weight and body distribution doesn't create enough pressure in the first place to cause discomfort which may be what is happening with your girlfriend even with the firmness of your mattress. I am going to assume that your 20 ILD latex layer is actually mid 20's to low 30's (probably safer than assuming it is actually soft) . This may mean that your whole comfort layer is too firm. When you are sleeping on your back and side ... have someone try to slide their hand under the gaps. This should not be possible (at least without real effort). Also have someone check to see if it looks like your spine is straight on your side and in it's natural "S" curve on your back. Check to make sure your shoulders are sinking in enough relative to your hips. A convoluted topper may help (or a non convoluted softer layer) but it would need to be thick enough to allow for a good cradle (in combination with your "unknown" 1" layer and possibly what is under it) and if it is thick enough to do this then the layers underneath could "turn into" part of your support layers and they may not be firm enough for this (even though they may be too firm for a comfort layer). If you do this you may need to remove some of the latex under it (either 1" or 2" depending on the topper) to get closer to the firmer foam for support and alignment. A cuddlebed will not help form a cradle even though it feels soft and as it compresses may actually make things worse in some cases. Overall I would be very careful what you do next without first validating what is happening. Phoenix This message was modified Jan 16, 2011 by Phoenix
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