Building my own latex mattress - need your expert opinions please!

[pianoman]

Leo,
Very helpful... thanks! You are close in size to my wife (she's 5'10", 163 lbs.), and she also has hip pain. Are you a side sleeper like she is?
I'm still trying decide whether to go with 2" or 3" on my top layer. And if I go for 3", I may opt for it in one 3" topper rather than a 2" and a 1", based upon what you've said.

 

[pianoman]

Leo — Forgot to add that we are early middle aged with noticeably more aches and pains the past several years. That's why I'm agonizing over exactly which components to use in this DIY mattress. Been reading on this site pretty voraciously for several weeks now and it's helped immensely.
jimsocal — You're right, LI definitely pours it on with the marketing, don't they? They claim superiority to the European and Asian imports, with "very stringent durability testing to compare its latex to competitive materials". Hmmmm.
Budgy — Why do you believe all-natural Talalay to be superior to blended Talalay (like LI's Talatech)?

 

[Leo3]

Yes, I am a side sleeper. I have had bursitis in my one hip for many years (ski accident), and so I slept mostly on one side over the years; so I am really sensitive. So much that when I change sheets and they are tighter than the last time I feel that change on my hip, that is how finicky I am. I was surprised I could sleep on my bad side and didn't have pain with this current setup. Crossing my fingers that it will last.
I went with 2" thinking I would not use the 1 1/2" under it, but it turned out I liked the 3 1/2" of 24ILD. If I end up having back pain, I will remove the 1 1/2" layer.
Take into consideration what you are covering the mattress with, it will make it firmer depending on what you use, as well as your base for the foam. It really is a hard choice to make and unfortunately it is trial and error (boy is it). There are so many variables to consider.
When I bought medium foam at a local upholstery shop that was 2" I loved it. Then I went back and got 3" for a different chair, and I hated it, it was so firm I couldn't use it. I made sure it was the exact density too, so it really is tough to get it right the first time. Also shows you if you buy the exact density of foam at 2" and 3" they are not the same at all.
If you and your wife are finicky like me, maybe you need to try once piece of latex at a time and see what you think. Have you asked for samples of latex to give you an idea of what you think of it?
Good luck and keep us posted on how it all goes for you.

 

[budgy]

pianoman;
same reasons I believe natural dunlop is superior to blended.
1. natural rubber is more elastic
2. natural rubber contains proteins that are responsible for its hypoallergenic properties.
3. natural rubber is not made from petro chemical byproducts like synthetic latex.

 

[Leo3]

pianoman wrote:

Mostly I was thinking of buying 2" and 1" 24 ILD toppers plus 2" and 1" 32 ILD toppers from SleepEZ, opening only the two 2" toppers and leaving the 1" toppers in their unopened, vacuum-packed "compressed" state. If after a week I find I'd like more softness, then I could open one or both of the others and add them. If I'm happy with just the two-inch layers, it would make it much easier to return the 1" layers. Yes, I'd be out the shipping charges for returning them, but it wouldn't be too bad, since they're only 1" and they'd be still "compressed" (i.e., smaller than if they had been opened and then repackaged).
Regarding their return policy, SleepEZ has a 30 day money back guarantee on their toppers: http://www.sleepez.com/mattresscomponents.htm.
Good luck with getting it right the first time in a week, LOL, it took me over 2 months to finally decide the wool on top mattress pad was causing me hip pain after I added 2" of 24ILD and still had hip pain. So it sometimes takes longer to figure it out. But you could be one of the lucky ones and get it right the first time. Maybe the 1" incremements will work for you, just not for me, just note it PROBABLY will be softer than the 2" and if you get 3" of the same it will PROBABLY be firmer. All in my own humble opinion, for what it is worth.
P.S. It is time for me to find a new hobby, this mattress making deal for two years is enough already! Hope you find your solution faster than I did.

 

[pianoman]

budgy wrote:
pianoman;
same reasons I believe natural dunlop is superior to blended.
1. natural rubber is more elastic
2. natural rubber contains proteins that are responsible for its hypoallergenic properties.
3. natural rubber is not made from petro chemical byproducts like synthetic latex.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[pianoman]

Leo3 wrote:
Have you asked for samples of latex to give you an idea of what you think of it?
No, haven't done that. Not sure I could really tell much from samples.

 

[cynicaljones]

pianoman wrote:
No, haven't done that. Not sure I could really tell much from samples.


Hi pianoman. You might be able to at least tell the difference between the density, weight and "feel" of the different types of latex. I could tell.

 

[jimsocal]

pianoman wrote:

Free shipping on toppers at SleepEZ if your order is $275 or more.
If SleepEZ now has 30 day return privilege on toppers, then they've changed their policy. That's good.
However, rockymountainmattress has free shipping on any topper so their prices are better UNLESS you plan to buy $275+ at Sleepez. And I do not know if rmm has a return/refund policy. I think not unless it's defective or something. But don't go by me, check to see. I will check if I have time and edit this if I'm wrong or if someone points out that I am wrong on that.

 

[pianoman]

FYI — Rocky Mountain Mattress toppers are non-refundable, according to the fine print on their website):
30 Night Satisfaction Guarantee **
**The 30 Night Satisfaction Guarantee is not available on adjustable frames, pillows, accessories, and mattress toppers. These items are non-refundable.

 

[pianoman]

Hey, finally pulled the trigger. Check out the new thread to see what I ordered...