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I seem to remember a post some time ago which discussed how to decide how many layers to go with. But I can't find it! Anyone remember this? Or can help me out now? Me - 5'6", 160, side and stomach sleeper. Husband - 5'10", 170, stomach sleeper. I definitely like more cushion than my husband. I'm thinking to put these latex layers on top of our current box spring, whcih seems to be in good condition (and is attached nicely to our iron bed :) Also, I'm thinking either Firm or X Firm core - any advice here? Susan |
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Well typically it is recommended that you use latex on a platform bed or other solid foundation, rather than a traditional boxspring. That is of course up to you. :) Firm vs. X-Firm varies by company so you would need to know what the ILDs are. It might be tough to find a firmness in any mattress good for stomach and side sleeping simultaneously (as you said you do both). I've somewhat got this problem also as I almost always go to sleep on my side, but I often wake up on my stomach. Although it's hard to compare a latex mattress to an innerspring in any sense, I think a 44ILD (Talatex) latex would be the closest to a firm innerspring. I am 6'1", 170 lbs and I still sink a bit with our 36ILD natural Talalay. If you have looked at Flobeds, a 36 is an Xtra-Firm. Typically when I see 4 layers listed on a website it means 3 cores + a topper. I think 2 cores is enough so that you won't bottom out. Some people like myself opt for 3 cores to add height or perhaps just to get better customization if you are using cores of different firmnesses. |
| What exactly is a core? I feel dumb for having to ask, as I've done so many hours of research on this. I thought a core was 5.6", also referred to as a "mattress" (like foamorder.com does). But then I go to flobeds.com, and the Posture Select is 9" tall - that is 2 cores and 1 convoluted topper of 2". I guess that makes each of the "cores" 3.5". Does that sound right? |
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That 9" includes the finished height of the mattress with the quilting filler, (wool or dacron). The cores in most mattress kits are made by splitting the original core as it comes out of the mold in half. Typically the split cores measure about 2.8 inches. When you're talking mattress kit, cores are just the latex components inside the cover. When you order your mattress you can specify a split configuration. Each half of the bed can be built to different specifications-- softer for one partner, firmer for the other, etc. For stomach sleepers I would go firmer, although I think 44 ILD is way too firm for most people to sleep on directly, unless you like sleeping on squishy concrete. Side sleeping is where it gets tricky configuring latex. Talalay at the softer settings has a tendency to hammock at the hips--which can be very uncomfortable for side sleepers. If you are going to put the mattress on a box spring 2 layers may be enough. However, I don't really recommend latex on a box spring. Talalay is VERY bouncy all by itself and has little body to it, so the innersprings may not give the mattress enough support. It can even excentuate the hammocking effect. Also latex is very heavy and may actually damage an innerspring that is not designed to take the weight. You can try it if you don't mind risking the boxspring, and if it doesn't work I suggest buying a foundation from a local mattress store. It will be cheaper and you can get it delivered and installed on your bedframe. |
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Thanks for the info Cloud. I guess we'll try the boxspring and if there's issues, we can switch out then. Anyone else have any input on how to choose 2, 3, or 4 layers? This message was modified Oct 8, 2007 by suz312
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| Suz312, I chose three latex cores and a topper for the height of the mattress and for the ability to move more cores around to get the exact feel I wanted. I have been very happy with FloBeds 90 day exhange policy and customer support. I love my bed so much and I love the 10" legs over the slat box. I really feel latex needs a solid surfact to be on top of like I have now. Good luck in whatever decision you make. |
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For stomach sleeping I like: 2" 32 ILD top 3" 36 ILD middle 3" 44 ILD bottom I do not like that configuration for side sleeping. I can't imagine any configuration that would be firm enough for stomach sleeping and soft enough for side sleeping. That is a very difficult combination. I think you should focus on one or the other and build to that goal if possible. |
| This combination sounds like the SleepEZ medium, firm, extra firm configuration. That's pretty firm and a good place to start for someone who likes a firm bed. I found it completely avoided the hammocking issue softer Talalay configurations are prone to, but if you don't have much padding on your hips it can feel pretty hard for side sleeping,so you might want to add a 1.5 to 2" topper of softer latex. Try it without first. |
| Has anyone used only 1 layer? I have been planning to get 6" of 36 ILD latex over a flexible slat foundation, with the possibility of adding a 1" or 2" topper if the bed feels to firm. Is there anything wrong with just 1 core or should I be getting 2-6" cores? Cost is the only reason I am shying away from 2 cores, as that would cost...twice as much. |
| The Thickness of Latex Cores from FloBeds.com and SleepEZ.com are from 2.8" (for blended latex) to 3.0" (for natural latex) so a 6" core would be like you having two latex cores. I think that would be fine with a topper over a slat box or platform bed. I would not put latex on top of a box spring since latex needs a very firm solid foundation. |
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The flexible slat foundation definitely lets you get away with a thinner mattress. It almost totally eliminates any "bottoming out," even with only a single 5.6" latex core. In fact, the thicker the mattress, the less effect the flexible slat foundation will have, so you won't want to go over about 8". IMO. The trick with a solid core is getting the right firmness. The benefit of "half cores" is you can adjust simply by changing the order of the layers. I bought an ILD 40 core because I was afraid 44 would be too firm and 36 too soft. In fact, I would have been better served in buying two "half cores," one of 36 and one of 44. That would have given me two choices of firmness: 36/44 and 44/36. Technically a "core" is 5.6" or 6" thick. This term is also used by Flobeds to refer to what is essentially a quarter core since it's half as thick and half as wide as a full core. MequonJim and Cloud9, your comments reflect my experience as well. I am sleeping on 38, 38, 32 and it's pretty firm for side sleeping. It's tricky though. On a solid platform I felt like my hips were sinking while at the same time it was too firm for my shoulders. It's a balancing act to get both support AND pressure point relief simultaneously with a foam mattress. This message was modified Oct 17, 2007 by haysdb
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