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I've had my latex mattress for 6 years now. I have a 5.5" 32 ILD core that is Talatech latex from LI, and a 3" 20 ILD topper from FBM. Had I known then everything I know now, I might have gotten something that was more firm- live and learn. We ended up putting the 3" topper as the bottom layer maybe a year or two after having the mattress. It's been working out just fine since then, and I have had no complaints. Until recently. I've dealt with various neck and shoulder issues over the last 2 years due to my desk job, and over the last couple months my bed has felt different...and less comfy. It seems to be "sagging" in the middle. We have our bed on a box spring, which has plywood over the top. It's hard for me to tell if the base is sagging, but I ordered a new slatted base just in case, as we are long overdue for a new bed frame anyway. What I'd like to know is how others have found their latex to be wearing over the years??? When I ordered it I was just thinking it wouldn't break down for a long, long time. Now I'm worried it is breaking down after only 6 years. I confess my DH ends up wandering off to the spare room in the middle of the night, and I inevitably roll into the very middle of our queen size bed (which is, of course, exactly where I feel it is sagging!). When i get the new base, I will probably try some different configurations (maybe remove that soft layer altogether). So, if you have experience with Talatech latex, and FBM latex, please share your thoughts on the longevity of each! I really hope it is just the softer 3" piece that is breaking down, and not the more expensive talatech core. |
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I am new to Latex, but have some thoughts for you... Core plus topper is the prescribed design... allows tuning the topper for pressure relief (and replacing it after wear since softer wears sooner), provided the core is the correct firmness to begin with. Your LI blended Talatech 32 core should last well, but it would not be firm enough for me and it was not firm enough for you, so that's problem 1... you may need a firmer core... like 36, or 3" 36 on 3" 40-44. The 20 topper from FBM may have issues: o Good toppers are Talalay since Talaly has the best Latex response for contouring for pressure relief... probably why you tolerated the 32 Talalay core on top. o If of questionable Latex process and/or blend, it may wear sooner; softer wears sooner; you buried it on the bottom where it is crushed by everything and doing little for the overall system other than being a shallow shock absorber. o 20 is on the down-side of soft and it could be softer in spots due to the variation in Latex, which varies even more with Dunlop and all natural Latex. The plywood platform could be sagging unless it's thick enough, considering what is under it. The new platform should address any issues here. So, your good 32 core may not be firm enough and the only way to fix that is to replace it. If it were two 3" layers, you might reuse one. Your unknown 20 topper may be too soft for both pressure relief and firmness, and may now be worn out. You could try a 28/medium Talatech 3" topper on the 32 core, hoping for the firmness you want and knowing you can add a softer topper. Or, start over with a firmer core. Starting out firm enough to begin with is key... the core on platform must hold the body weight without sagging. Your current pain could be from the 32 not being soft enough to provide contoured pressure relief. The top layer needs to meld your body to the core layer, being not too firm and not too shallow so that it can contour to your shape. The above is not to answer the magic question, but to demonstrate an analysis of your situation that may guide you to a solution. GK |
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I would test it on the floor, without the topper underneath. You should be able to better judge the condition of the core that way and it may feel a bit firmer. (May be easier said than done - given the size & weight!) It could in fact be the board which is sagging along with the box spring. I'll be interested to hear what other long time users have to say. Mine is not old and doesnt sag, but it does feel very slightly softer in the center.... maybe because its in a case which would keep the edges firmer...?. If there is a dent, I wonder if it would work to add some thin layers of firm foam underneath, cut in the shape of the dent, to raise and firm up the center again? I believe in making do where ever possible! Good luck. |
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I should clarify, I would have gotten something more firm mostly because I feel it would have allowed for more change-up with the top layers. The setup I have actually felt good to me (firmness-wise) and still does, but my issue is the sagging. That's what makes it feel funny. However even with the sagging I'm not waking up with any pain or anything. The very middle of the bed also feels a little softer than the edges, like you mentioned, Kashkakat. My new platform bed was supposedly dropped off at my house today, so after work I might try to muster the energy to do some rearranging with the bed. Possibly for now I'll just pull out the old frame/box spring, and see about trying it on the floor for a night or two, minus the 3" FBM piece. |
| Hi.. I had a Springfree Sealy latex.. top of the line.. lasted 2 years and bowed across the middle.. it was defective.. caused me much pain.. not to mention how heavy these things are..I hate latex.. it caused so much hip and back pain and pretty much beat me up all night long.. just took me too long to realize it was the bed doing all these things to me.. I also feel if a Bed is a good one there should be NO need to use all these toppers that so many people talk about.. Why not make your own bed.. I am a firm believer that these latex beds are not all they are cracked up to be.. just my opinion..good luck |
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Latex is suppose to last more than six years. Once you take your bed apart, you should be able to tell what is sagging. Also, I find the perimeter to be softer than in the middle as there is less surrounding material to resist depression, so perhaps there is material failure in the middle of your bed. GK This message was modified Mar 22, 2012 by GKDesigns
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hello!!! I cannot remember how long I've had my England Mattress company Latex Mattress. I do know it's been longer than six years. I think ten years. I do know it's Talalay latex. I have since discovered that at it's core it's Urethane... this thing is HUGE, 13 inches thick. The latex is 4 inches thick on top of the urethane core. As if I could EVER flip this thing.... to do so, I need two very strong men. I also will tell you it was TOO FIRM right from the start. I tried to return it but the store talked me into keeping it!!! With their oh it will soften, you will adjust blah blah blah. I ADORE a soft bed. We have an old sofa that has an old urethane bench cushion that is the best spot in the house to sleep! LOL I wanted that comfort in my bed, too. But not much luck. I put on a two inch thick soft memory foam pad on it and lived with it.. or slept with it..... It was from this forum or some other sleep/mattress forum that I read some other folks thought what I did- gosh foam should be softer.... and the PAD on top of the foam mattress seemed stiff to me- and stuffed with cotton batting, didn't feel nice and soft like the foam cushion sofa!! or the pad topper. This couple took OFF the top of the mattress and said they were happier. Well......after MUCH trepidation... I cut off a corner of my pad- to see what the foam was like... I though there is no going back anyway after all these years I have nothing to lose. I cut off the pad. It was stiff and not as soft as the real foam. Okay. I still put my memory foam topper back on and I HAVE been quite happy right now. this mattress has NOT sagged or broken down yet. I am WiSHING it will soften up quicker. But I do like it now, since I took off the pad. Strange. I love foam. I still think I could have been happy with a much cheaper foam "mattress"... by ordering direct from Foam companies- a urethane pad like the sofa cushion has! I could have just covered it and put it on a platform bed and been happy. I paid a lot of money for this latex mattress, and I do like it now- but it's a kick in my pants I had to put a softer topper on it AND take off their cover! "ruin" it. It's a heavy thing. It's here to stay, forever. I dread the thought of ever moving it. And I am eager for it to keep getting softer. |
| Just wanted to update this thread. I put the bed on the floor- WOW what a difference. I definitely was having issues because of the foundation. Even though I couldn't visibly notice the foundation was sinking when I removed the mattress, it just felt like a new bed when I put it straight on the wooden floor. This evening I got my new bed frame set up, and I think things will be just fine- everything feels great. What a relief! |