I took a trip to San Diego Mattress Makers and ordered an all talalay latex mattress (shout out to Ken for the best customer experience ever!) and am trying to figure out the proper foundation for it. I was going to order the Rize adjustable base, but I really prefer no metal or electronics on or near my bed.. plus I may move in the near future and don’t want to have to lug that heavy foundation to the next place. If I find my low back is still dealing with uncomfortable pressure without the adjustable base (I have a herniated disc at L5/S1 and scoliosis) I will definitely order one from them in the future, but I want to try without first.
I am ordering a Thuma classic bed frame which has wood slats that are 2.5 inches thick and less than 3 inches apart. From my research that should be a suitable foundation for a latex mattress to go right on top, and Thuma customer service confirmed that as well (but they mentioned to talk with the mattress manufacture). Mattress Makers highly suggested a bunkie board so the latex would not dip between the slats, but isn’t a bunkie board the same thing essentially- wooden slats covered in fabric?
Can anyone give insight on the best way to go about this to ensure my new mattress will be properly supported without overkill of bunkie board on top of wooden slats if not necessary?
I have also looked at these bed rugs/coconut coir mats like these and wonder if they would be a good option to put over the slats and under the mattress? https://savvyrest.com/product/natural-bed-rug/
Great frame at a great price. According to this the slats are 3/4" thick not 2.5" thick. Is your frame a special order? Does this frame have a center leg for extra support?
We have 2 Ironwood frames that are latex matresses are on, both are upholstered, no legs, but they both sit on iron frames with center supports.
I would not use a bunkie board with your frame. It will impede circulation. Besides the mattress pads you linked to their are several mattress companies that sell frame covers.
Thanks for your reply Bob!
Sorry my wording was a bit confusing- I meant the slats are 2.5 inches thick as in lengthwise, but good to know the depth is 3/4 inches! I haven’t received the Thuma yet but it does appear to have a center beam for support.
I suppose the coconut mats might be the best way to go here. When you mentioned frame covers what exactly are you referring to? Thanks again!
Our Pure Talalay Bliss Nature queen mattress has an Ironwood KD wood foundation that has a frame cover that matches the mattress. PTB mattress and frame
Looking closer at the Thuma classic foundation the slats are recessed down below the frame edge and covered on the slat edges with felt so a frame cover probably would not fit it.
With the Thuma foundation I doubt that your latex mattress will dip between the slats.
Our PTB mattress is ~11 years old. The Iron wood foundation slats are 1/2" thick compared to the Thuma’s 3/4" thick slats. The spacing between the slats on the Ironwood foundation is the same as the Thuma. The Ironwood foundation cover has only a thin layer of fabric beween the mattress and the slats and our PTB mattress has not dipped between the slats. IMO, the Thuma classic foundation needs nothing else.
I also have a bad L5 disc. My neurosurgeon called it horrific, not herniated but arthritis, bone spurs, and spinal stenosis. She suggested a minimal evasive surgery, clean up the disc and open up the space around my spinal cord. I’m probably going to have the surgery.
I see many complaints on this forum about people with back problems and mattresses not working for them and causing pain. Our PTB mattress is rated a medium/firm. I have found that combo to be the best for my back, but let’s be realistic, no mattress is going to give you total pain relief if you have physical back problems.
Thanks again for your input Bob, super helpful. I agree with everything you said on the back issues, it makes it a lot harder to sleep comfortably with these types of disc injuries. I was supposed to get surgery on mine almost 20 years ago, but healed it naturally after a couple years of consistent, natural therapies. But then sadly, 15 years later it flared up again very badly. Did you ever try an adjustable frame? When I tried it at the store raising the legs up slightly really did seem to take pressure off my low back. But of course I don’t know how it would feel sleeping that way all night.
I used to always think I was a medium/firm mattress person, but this all talalay mattress I just bought is actually a medium soft and conforms to my body great, relieving pressure yet still being supportive. Let’s see how it goes once I sleep on it all night!
And again thank you for looking into the Thuma specs for me. Mattress Makers reached back out and said it should be totally fine without a bunkie board or cover after all. So you were right! I might get the coconut coir mat from Savvy rest anyway, since it’s on sale for president’s day and can only help with air flow circulation I assume. Any thoughts on that?
I am praying for healing of your back- I know the pain all too well.
I don’t see the need for the coconut pad. What’s the purpose of it? The spacing beween the slats provides more than enough airflow. I would think that over time it would compress. From Thuma’s FAQs: “How far into the Classic Bed does the mattress sit?
The Classic Bed has an edge measuring 3/4” which is designed specifically to hold the mattress firmly in place." The edges of the slats are covered with felt. Adding any thing like the coconut pad could possibly raise your mattress up beyond the frame’s edge.
My wife who weighs 110 lbs and has osteoporosis that caused 2 hair line disc fractures found our PTB mattress too firm. We purchased a 3 layer, 3" each, soft, medium, firm Dunlop latex mattress several months ago. It also has an Ironwood upholstered foundation that sits on a 9 leg iron frame.This has worked out well for her.
Here’s a good review of the Thuma foundation. Review
Here’s a pic of our Ironwood frames, mainly for others looking for a KD wood frame. The fabric covering the slats is thin.The Thuma frame looks great as is.
I would also like to add that at our age, 70’s, I doubt we are going to move so I went with Arizona Premium Mattress suggestion and screwed the Ironwood foundations slats’ edges down with 1 1/4" countersunk drywall screws. This prevents the slats from moving,
Wow thank you again for sharing your knowledge! Your wife is similar to my size, so that was very helpful. I guess the coconut pad would be more so to have a flatter surface instead of just placing directly on the slats, while still offering airflow… but like you said, it doesn’t seem necessary here. I think I will hold off on that for now! I just don’t want to do anything to the mattress that would void the warranty on it. But Thuma meets the requirements for latex mattress foundations so I just need to trust that…
In the past I always put 3/4-1" thick plywood under the mattress for extra support, but I’m changing my ways, haha. That really changed the feel to much firmer and also restricted airflow. Towards the end I started drilling holes in the plywood so the mattress could breathe, but that was a whole project that luckily won’t be necessary with a Thuma.
I am glad your mattress and foundation is working well for both of you! If you end up getting the surgery, I pray it gives you the relief you deserve.
I’ve been following this thread with interest, especially given your L5/S1 disc and scoliosis.
If the Thuma slats are under 3" apart and solid, you’re generally within spec for latex. The concern about dipping isn’t that it will immediately fail …it’s more about long-term consistency. Latex is heavy and flexible, so over time even small gaps can allow subtle settling.
You’re also correct that most bunkie boards are basically slats wrapped in fabric, so if your slat system is already sturdy and properly spaced, it can feel redundant.
One option worth looking at is a solid wood foundation like the Terra foundation (@mattressfoundations). It gives you a more uniform surface, keeps everything breathable, and avoids metal/electronics without adding a lot of complexity.
The coconut coir bed rugs are great for airflow and moisture control, but they won’t meaningfully change support.
Would love to hear how that Talalay build feels once you’ve had some time on it.
Thanks for your suggestions and for your interest in my thread, Nikki! I will definitely keep you posted on the talalay mattress after I receive it and have slept on it. I am going to put it right on top of the Thuma slats after all, although I had the thought of maybe putting my SOL firm 3" topper directly on the slats (it is a super firm topper) and then the 9" mattress on top of that. What do you think? That could offer the more solid support and prevent the mattress from dipping between the slats over time.. I don’t care if the topper dips long term, but the mattress I definitely want to protect. Not sure if that’s a terrible idea or not!
