True, I wasn’t even thinking of the complications of zoning. More or less just something I was curious about. Most mattresses that give out it sounds like it’s due to body impressions and softening of the foam(s) that rotating can’t really solve since the forces are still being applied in the same direction. When it comes to pillowtop innersprings especially I keep reading that they’re prone to soften because of low quality foam cushioning that wears out coupled with the no-flip design. In my quest (it didn’t begin as a quest really) to replace my own aging pillowtop I started looking to see what else was available and found myself looking at foam mattresses. Trying to sort through user reviews for tons of brands available on walmart, overstock, amazon I’m seeing a lot of generally good reviews initially. Setting aside complaints of odor for offgassing and compressed items that don’t recover properly out of the box, it really doesn’t seem to matter the brand. The general consensus is “it got too soft”, “there’s a trough where I sleep”, “sags after a few months” etc. Just to myself I’m thinking ok - these are all the same complaints about no flip innersprings and the similarity is, these mattresses can’t be flipped either. Obviously the flood of cheaper mattresses out there aren’t using the best quality materials either. (low density foams). Besides the pros of mf’s ability to relieve pressure a lot of the advertising info says that in “general” foam beds are supposed to well outlast their innerspring counterparts but user reviews don’t seem to show this.
My own reasons for even considering the trials and tribulations of a diy mattress are to overcome the flaws that lead to a bed wearing out so fast. I know a lot of people are looking for custom comfort unavailable to them for chronic back issues and medical reasons, neither of which I have. I guess I’m just mulling things over and weighing out the options. Obviously just buying a ready to go mattress would be so much easier. The thought of grabbing any mattress thats comfy enough, whether traditional or mf just to have it soften, sag and end up in the same boat i’m in now irks me. Obviously $300-$500 isn’t going to buy me 20yrs worth of mattress that’s just unrealistic. I’d like to think it would provide at least a couple of years of service rather than just a year or less. There’s nothing wrong with a lot of the ready to go ones out there, I’m sure they’re better engineered than something I could put together with my limited know how - but if they’re cutting corners with 1.5lb density poly and 2.5 to 3lb density mf then my diy considerations were to essentially recreate something similar with better quality foams.
I’m not sure what ‘tape edge’ is, I’m guessing that’s the process of seaming together the top of an innerspring ticking to the side wall creating a defined ‘corner’ - so as to have a more solid piece to flip rather than multiple layers slip sliding around in a stretchy sock type cover. I just don’t want to be stuck with something like i am now. I’m not sure if my actual innersprings are done for although they can’t be in the best of shape after 10yrs. The pillowtop is done for and since it isn’t serviceable the entire mattress is toast. If I get a ready to go mf, everything will be laminated so even if the poly ‘base’ is ok and a top layer wears out I’m left tossing the whole thing and replacing it just for a worn out layer. Other than getting better ‘value’ doing diy being able to replace individual layers as they wear or getting higher density foams, I’m definitely not saving any money and factoring in the work of doing it myself.
There would likely be more benefit if I had special needs for custom zoning but that’s not the case for me.
Disregarding any potential quality issues from someplace like fbm (using them as an example since they have some of the lowest prices), building a 12" mf mattress - using a similar configuration to many retail models of 6" poly core, 2.5-3" convoluted transition and 3" mf on top, with thin zippered cover - I’m looking at roughly $400. That’s with the intention of going from what’s available retail (1.5-1.8 density poly, 3lbs mf) to 2.8 density poly and 4lbs mf. No zoning, nothing special just straightforward layering. Tons of retail compressed in a box mattresses can be had for $290-$350, so it’s not like doing my own would net me an $800 mattress for $250. If it’s too much hassle and the end result won’t net me a mattress that lasts a year or two longer - then for my situation I may as well just grab a mattress in a box and ride it out til it’s done for and replace it. But then I’m wondering other than the feel of a mf or latex layer what if any upside there is in my situation considering one of these vs just grabbing another innerspring. Just from looking at it realistically, seems from the reviews I’ve read that whether innerspring or mf, a low cost mattress is doomed to about a year or two of use.
Hopefully this doesn’t come across as disregarding foam style mattresses. For anyone reading, please keep in mind the options considered for my situation aren’t referring to mid to upper range quality like sleepEZ, SLAB, or any of the better quality typically mentioned here. I’m more or less referring to entry level stuff that’s within my limited budget; spa sensations, lucid, sleep innovations, dynasty etc.
As always, I appreciate everyone’s input. You folks have a ton of knowledge and hands on experience that’s really invaluable to those of us otherwise depending solely on input from other customers like “this bed’s terrible” and “the foam stinks”. I agree with dn, a lot depends on the end user’s willingness to actually perform any maintenance steps. Knowing what a sagging mess a bed can feel like I’d be happy to maintain my bed if it was an option. I’ve rotated my current no-flip plenty but further limited by 180 rotations (rather than 90 degree rotations) since it’s not a king size.
In your experiences, is it worth venturing into mf or latex hybrid given my budget of around $500, maybe $600 tops? Or is this likely to end up right in the same boat, sagging/wearing heavily within just a couple years same as a pillowtop innerspring like the simmons beautyrest recharge? I know it’s about personal preference, but in terms of lifespan. Not sure if at this price point it’s more of “it doesn’t matter” or more definitive like “$500 worth of foam mattress will easily outlast your innerspring options by a good couple of years generally”. Thanks.