Mattress Forum

2. How firm as far as ILD? You should try to find a bedding store locally who sells latex mattresses, Pure Latex Bliss is a popular one that you could find and try for yourself. Then you can find the ILDs for said mattress and you have actual numbers of what you prefer. You can go to the latex bliss website, put in your zip code and find a retailer near you.

3. If you are willing to spend extra to get good quality and longer durability, spend the extra coin and go with SleepEZ. Foambymail is a company I do business with and have been pleased, but I understand that the quality of their material is not up to par with SleepEZ. SleepEZ uses latex from Latex International which is highly reviewed and should be perfectly safe. I have samples of their latex versus FBM and you can really tell a quality difference between the two.

4. Covers are fine, SleepEZ has a nice case/cover, the FBM case is nice and can also be had on Amazon for about $50. You put sheets on top of the cover and I would not be worried about anything you like on top of your mattress.

5. The Nomad bed on Amazon seems to be a popular choice for latex mattresses when a budget is concerned. Highly reviewed and can be stained to match your decor if you like.

6. Latex isn't known to be warm, but if you find it to be too warm for your liking, you can always add a pad to take care of that. I would start with just the latex and see how you like it.

7. I would reasonably expect 10 years out of a SleepEZ latex mattress with a much longer service life. The warranty would not cover wear and tear, but most defects in the workmanship and the breakdown. You would have to consult SleepEZ for exactly what their warranty covers. Latex will break down over time, but nothing comparable to what you would expect with a foam mattress.

The nice thing about SleepEZ versus FBM is that you and your fiance can each have your own personal preference since SleepEZ will let you do a split configuration. I was going to go with FBM and build my own mattress, but when I started researching safety and the price to use safety certified foam and latex I was already at the price of a SleepEZ mattress without the benefit of being able to return the bed and switch out layers. Since your fiance doesn't care what she sleeps on, I would find what works for you and then configure her side one or two steps softer throughout.

2.  Any other options than Pure Latex Bliss?  The nearest retailer to me is about an hour and a half away.  If I must, we could maybe hit it up, but if another vendor has a similiar option that would be prefered. 

3.  Are sleepez and FBM pretty much the only reasonable online options? Are there other online vendors that are comparable?

4.  The covers at either place, are they universal?  Will they fit regardless of the depth of the latex we go with?  Outside of a wool cover, do we need any other kind of matress protection/protector?

5.  So if I went with the nomad bed, like $200 on amazon, I wouldn't need the orthopedic foundation seen here correct?  http://www.sleepez.com/foundations.htm  I didn't really like how that wasn't raised up anyhow.  The nomad is spaced appropriately for latex, and wouldn't negatively affect it?  I can just put the latext mattress directly on that?

6.  Sounds good!

7.  The latex breaking down and sagging would definitely be my biggest concern.  I will drop them a line and get some details on that.

Ill consider a custom side thing, but it almost seems like more work than may be necessary.  But maybe she and I, being on crappy beds all our lives, dont really "get" those minimal differences.  Hopefully testing something in person will help her get a vibe for what she may like and if she needs something specific. 

I appreciate the advice, you have been a great help.

2. I am sure there are, but that is the one brand that is anywhere close to me, also about 1.5 hours, so that is why I mentioned it. Feel free to search and there actually may be an independent mattress manufacturer in your area who could help you, but you would have to search.

3. SleepEZ to me is a good option because their beds use Latex International latex which is high quality and safety tested. Their prices are along the lines of what it would cost to build your own mattress using Latex International latex and buying a cover. They also allow you to swap out layers or even return the bed for a $99 flat rate. To me all this adds up to the best online value for a latex mattress. FBM latex and foams have been known to be different than what was ordered, so I sometimes worry about the safety of them. Also having FBM latex and Latex International latex in hand, the quality of LI latex is quite noticeable. I am sure there are other online retailers, but none that I have found that are much cheaper than SleepEZ and you can't beat the customer service from them.

4. You need whatever you feel you need. A cover will keep your latex together and a proper cover will protect the mattress from light and other things that can deteriorate latex. The covers come in different depths, so however thick your mattress is you will need to order a cover for that depth. FBM has 3" and 8" "velour" covers and the Amazon ones come in 3" increments, I believe 6", 9" and 12". SleepEZ 4 way stretch comes in 7", 9", 10" and 13". I have always put a waterproof breathable mattress protector on my mattresses just in case the dog or kid throws up or spills something on the bed. To me it is cheap insurance.

5. Correct, people have used the Nomad bed with latex mattresses alone with no ill effects. Latex should be on a slatted base with closely spaced slats, so the Nomad is perfect and requires nothing else.

The custom side thing will depend on which route you take. If you go FBM then it is more work, if you go SleepEZ then it's no difference than getting a regular mattress. I suggest you guys find the closest place with latex beds and really give them a try and see what you like. Another reason I mentioned Pure Latex Bliss mattresses is because it is easy to find the breakdown and ILDs of the specific models online. For such a large investment the 1.5 hour drive is worth it.

I recently started having problems waking up sore. I am 31 and have a Sealy Posturepedic that is only a few years old. I did a lot of research and thought the DIY method was for me. I wanted to build a memory foam mattress, but I could only afford the topper, so I bought that and put it on my mattress and it works great for now. I want to add some PU foam support layers and ditch the Sealy altogether. If that gets me buy I am going to hold off on a latex setup. But in look at latex setups I again wanted to go DIY to save cash. I started looking and even 9" of latex from FBM is going to run you around $900 (for a queen). I figure if I am spending that kind of money I may as well go all out and go with the SleepEZ setup where I know the latex is safe and I have that ability to swap out layers if something ends up not being what I like.

Another option is the Ultimate Dreams mattress sold on Amazon. It is only I believe 2.5-3" of latex over foam but it has gotten great reviews and is very budget friendly. I decided against it because I would like to have a full latex mattress.

I figure Talalay is a quality choice from a US manufacturer for a typical build.  Dunlop can be more dense, so an experienced builder with sources might choose a Dunlop core suitable for your build.  But then you will probably need a different side for the other much lighter sleeper.  It can get complicated.  The DIY should probably stick with Talalay and split cores for each side.  You might also want to figure it out but then hire a mattress shop to help you make it happen... suggest the final build and source quality components.

3.  Ill check those etailers as well, see how competitive they are on price.

4.  You mention pad, what exactly are you referring to here?  A matress pad on top of the latex?  I just assumed I should go latex, wool cover and then sheet.  No?  What about a spill/stain proof cover?  Unnecessary? 

5.  I am not handy enought o build my own, so the Nomad recommended by Joel seems like a good solution unless the fiance becomes picky about the bed set down the road.  We can sell it and adapt at that time I guess.

6.  Definitely will.  The wool cover seems almost universally recommended by everyone. 

7.  20 years sounds pretty nice vs what I have dealt with bed-wise in the past. 

The Latex layers are contained in a zippered mattress cover... woven with Bamboo and quilted with wool for strength, ventilation and moisture management.

A traditional mattress might get another thin zippered 'dust' cover/protector with a micro weave to keep the creepy crawlies in or out, but another sack would further interfere with the Latex contouring and may not be necessary since Latex is suppose to be less susceptible to mites, etc. and such allergens.  So I would skip this protection... it would be a real struggle to slip onto a 150lb. Latex mattress.

Then most folks put a pad on under the fitted sheet to protect the more permanent/unwashable mattress cover, to catch minor 'spills', and to add more quilted ventilation and moisture management for comfort (natural fiber fill like Wool works better than synthetic fibers, but costs more and may not be worth it vs. a cheaper/more available synthetic fiber-filled pad... assuming there is already quilted wool in the mattress cover).  Some folks want to make this pad completely waterproof to 'protect the mattress'.  I suppose if you need waterproof, get it, but such a membrane barrier may further impede contouring, ventilation and moisture management.

>>6.  Definitely will.  The wool cover seems almost universally recommended by everyone.

Wool is an amazing fiber.  Laying on it feels cooler and less damp than laying on synthetic fill.

The sleepez guys recommended a Extra firm/Firm/Medium for my side and a Firm/Medium/Soft for her side. 

I will probably go with the Nomad frame and the wool cover from sleepez.  Just trying to decide on a good choice when it comes to a pad, probably something synthetic and washable, reasonably price, that isn't too thick to where it will take away from the latex experience.  So if there are recomendations there, let me know please.

Ill keep you guys posted when we order and when it shows up, probably do some pictures too.

Forgive me if I'm hijacking your thread, but I need your help.

My wife and I inherited a Leggett and Platt Prodigy adjustable split-king bed and I want to buy a 4-layer SleepEZ Talalay blended split Cal-King mattress to go with the bed.

We sampled Talalay blended layers at a local retailer but decided to purchase from SleepEZ after learning the retailer's price was much higher (and they wouldn't budge on the price). 

I'm 5'9", 160 lbs. (slim), a back & side sleeper and sometimes wake with lower back pain (an issue I think is due to our current hybrid latex/foam Costco mattress). I prefer a medium mattress and dream of the perfect ILD mix that will provide the idea support for my height and weight. I was ok with 3" ILD layers of 40, 36, 32 and 28, but I could go with a tad softer top layer.

My wife is 5'8", 188 lbs., a back & side sleeper and has no back/sleep issues.  She prefers a medium-soft mattress, but doesn't want to sink into it. She was ok with 3" ILD layers of 36, 32, 32, 28, but she could go with a tad softer top layer.  

@ JSK23:

Can you give an update on your SleepEZ mattress purchase?  Did it meet your expectations? Did you pick a specific ILD (44, 40, 38, 36, 32, etc.) or did you choose between the four listed on their site: Ex-Firm (44 ILD?), Firm (40 ILD?), Medium (30 ILD?) and Soft (20 ILD?)?

I plan on calling SleepEZ to learn if they supply Talalay blended latex in all the normal ILD ratings, but if you know the answer, please share.

@ GKDesigns:

Can you please answer the following questions?

1. Is it safe to use a 4-layered latex mattress on an adjustable bed?  I'm worried the latex will tear or wear faster than normal. 

2. A dealer stated I should place each layer in its own "sock cover" before placing them in the mattress cover.  Is this necessary (either with an adjustable bed or flat foundation)?

3. Based on my description above, what ILD ratings (per layer) would you suggest we start with (my side and my wife's side)?  Suppose SleepEZ only does the Ex-Firm, Firm, Medium and Soft as typed above? What would you suggest then?

4. We're not sure about the seam down the middle of the two mattresses.  We may ask SleepEZ to make a separate, single "cover" from the mattress fabric and lay it over both mattresses in an attempt to mask the seam. Have you heard of this? Do you think the extra layer on top might be bad for ventilation, etc.?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

1.  I have no experience with adjustable beds.  I folded a 3" Queen 40/44 ILD Talalay to double it up and it did tear/separate significantly at the fold under stress.  I repaired it with 3M FoamFast 74 spray adheasive.  Conclusion:  The firmer the Latex, the more likely it will burst apart under such folding stress.  An adjustable bed may not push it to such extremes, but sitting/moving on a significant bend may increase wear and tear.

2.  No individual layer cover is required for use with a flat foundation.  Might change the Latex behavior and/or introduce undesired slip.  Perhaps such slip covers would help manage layer-on-layer stress in an adjustable bed application, particulalry with severe adjustments, or maybe it would be counter productive by permitting the layers to separate and not behave as one.  Also, 12" of Latex may be too much for an adjustable application.

3.  At this point, I would recommend using the 36 and 40/44 to build the 6" core for support.  Then add the comfort layers... not too deep and not too soft or else it will sag.  With a 12" mattress and a 6" core, the top 6" cannot be all comfort without risking sink and sag.  Your current layers 40-36-32-28 are likely firm for you... the 28 feels soft to one hand but it's firm on the body/face and it reaches down to more firmness.  That 32 layer helps extend the core and avoid too much comfort depth.  But you are missing softness on top.

You might be ok pushing the 28 down and using 24 or less on top.  Using just 3" layers can present its own difficulty when trying to craft the comfort layers, not too soft, not too deep.

I hesitate to mess with your wife's core 36-32-32-28, although the core layers seem to trend less firm.  I'd be tempted to make it at least 36-36.  Her comfort layers probably present the same lack of softness as your formula due to the 28 on top.  Like your side, an adjustment on top is required, but I hesitate to guess what that should be.  If you make that adjustment in a 3" increment, her softer core layers below may become less supportive.

Given a 4-layer build, going xf-f-m-s seems reasonable, particularly xf on bottom and s on top.  But I hesitate to give unqualified advice.  I'm still discovering this subject.

4.  Seems to me that a split adjustable bed is destined to have two separate mattresses on it.  Else, one mattress and equal adjustments.  Given a CA King at 72x84", buying bedding could be more difficult if fully split, or just a more expensive nuisance at CA King size.

Consider whether or not you have inherited something worth keeping.  The 84" is not critical for your heights; the 72" is less generous than the 76" of a King; and if you do not use the adjustable function...  Being the devil's advocate here.

GK

1.  The bed movement and bends are not extreme so I think we'll be ok. Hopefully the 40 ILD base will be ok.

2.  Since SleepEZ doesn't offer socks and you don't detect a big concern, we'll go sockless. The Prodigy is rated to lift 600 lbs per side (in addition to the mattress weight) so, as long as the 4-layered mattress is able to bend correctly (I think it will), we should be fine.

3.  I appreciate your advise on the ILD ratings.  We'll start off with your base suggestions and 24 on the top layer.  We have 30 days to exchange any layer and I think starting off with 24 on top will be fine.

4. Our current mattress/bed/frame setup, as well as the bedding, is Cal King so we're stuck with it (especially the bed head/foot and side rails, which is an expensive Cal-King designer set).  The two Prodigy base units can be programmed to move in tandum or independant of each other, so we can purchase a single Cal-King mattress or two XL singles.  My wife likes to cuddle and doesn't want to feel the seam, so I'll cave in and go with a single mattress cover w/split cores inside.

Actually, we expect to use the adjustable bed daily.  We have a 60" Plasma in the bedroom that we watch and we read and use our laptops & tablets in bed.  We'll use the adjustable bed a lot!

Thanks again for your insight. We're about to pull the trigger!

Dawgneck.