Advice: constructing a latex/foam hybrid mattress

[phoenix]

Hi Matt ress,

Maybe I am going about this the wrong way. I fully understand that only I am able to make a decision about what’s right for me, and I do have a good idea of what that is. What I am trying to get a sense of is what NOT to do.

This is a very open ended question that would really be impossible to answer. In very general terns though … I wouldn’t use low quality materials that are likely to soften and break down too quickly, I wouldn’t choose a design that your testing and experience indicates isn’t likely to be suitable for you, and I wouldn’t use materials that your testing and experience indicates that you don’t prefer over the other alternatives that are available.

[quote]I think we can agree that there is a wrong way to build a mattress.
I also think that we can agree that there are ways to build a mattress, with certain components, that are better than others.
And I don’t think anyone would argue that a mattress constructed in a way that could be prone to problems (ie: middle layer bottoming out against the support core because it’s too thin) is not the best mattress choice for me or anyone else for that matter.[/quote]

If by “better” you mean more suitable for your specific needs and preferences in terms of PPP … then the only way to know this would be based on your own personal experience. Everyone is different and what works well for one may not be suitable at all for another. If by better you mean more durable materials then you can use the guidelines here or post # here which talks about all the variables that are involved in durability and the useful life of a mattress relative to each person. The mattresses section) of the site also talks about the different materials that are generally used in the comfort or support layers of a mattress and some of the generic concepts that are involved in mattress design and theory. Which material you choose is a preference issue not a “better/worse” issue.

What I am seeking here is advice from the experts on whether or not any components in the mattress could be adjusted to better reflect an optimal design, not whether or not this mattress is best for me. By providing information about myself I hoped that it might be easier for you to make a recommendation based on some narrowed down info about who’s sleeping on the mattress

There is no such thing as an optimal design … only a design that is the best “match” for a specific person based on their own personal experience and preferences. There is no formula or “theory at a distance” that can predict this on an individual level.

People that can speak-to what they’ve been trained to say about “x” product, but look at me with a blank stare when I ask their about whether the 2nd layer of 2.0 lb 26 IFD HD foam should be 2" or 3" thick.

This is a question that only you can answer based on your experience and the differences you notice when you compare both mattresses in side by side testing. If you lie on a mattress that has a 2nd layer that is 2" thick then someone that understands mattresses can tell you the theoretical effect of using a 3" layer of exactly the same material instead but you will still need to decide whether that effect is better or worse for you (or if you can even feel the difference) in terms of PPP.

Am I asking for trouble by choosing an 4" HD base at 32 IFD… Is this too “soft” to provide proper support in the base of my proposed design?

Again … only you can know this. It’s not inherently “too soft” but it may be too soft for you in combination with the other layers or components of your mattress. 32 ILD support layers are fairly “standard” but every layer of a mattress will affect the feel and performance of every other layer to some degree.

Would increasing the density to 38 IFD create a propensity for the top layers to bottom at this point?

IFD is a firmness measurement not a density measurement. Any density of polyfoam can be made in a wide range of firmness levels. Density is about quality/durability. IFD is one of several variables that affects firmness and softness.

The layers above a firmer support core won’t bottom out (if the mattress as a whole is thick enough) … they will just feel a little firmer although how much you would notice the additional firmness would depend on the other layers above the firmer support core. A firmer bottom layer will also result in the heavier parts of your body sinking down a little less so it can improve support and alignment if a softer support core doesn’t keep you in good alignment in all your sleeping positions.

If you are intent on designing your own mattress then I would make sure you also read post #15 here so that you have realistic expectations about the process and what is and isn’t possible for someone to know.

Many of the questions you are asking have answers that only you can tell someone else (whether they are an expert or not) rather than questions that someone else (expert or otherwise) can answer for you.

Phoenix