I have a DIY 12” Dunlop latex K mattress ( 4 x 3” layers, various densities).
Need a new K foundation (split, 2 Twin XL). A mattress store guy, very experienced and lots of good reviews/ratings for him, said this foundation has worked for years for them on latex beds and not to worry about impressions, the slats/wires not being less than 3 inches apart etc. because wood slats are not as strong as steel and even closely spaced wood slats will allow mattres to bulge through gaps a bit. This has both vertical and horizontal supports. I’m feeling iffy despite his assurances. I came in asking about the Tempur Flat low profile solid board foundation, which is more expensive but would take a little longer to deliver and he could’ve sold me on that rather than telling me about this lower cost option, which has the added benefit of breathability versus the Tempur Flat covered in non breathable fabric, for which I would have to spend more $$ on a coir mat to prevent potential mold / mildew from humidity/moisture between mattress and foundation.
This is made by Southerland mattress and is a lower cost dupe he said for the Stearns and Foster steel flat foundation.
This was a picture they gave me of the construction, I can’t see it exposed, and there are no pictures online.
Description says steel wires but in this picture it’s hard to tell if they are flat strips or a series of wires bunched together, which seems most likely.
I just don’t want the bottom layer of my latex to get damaged from pressure points from the wires or sagging between them. Do you think this is suitable for latex?
Oof. I…don’t know about that. Latex mattresses need a fairly uniform surface to avoid stress or compression (or damage) over time. I suppose the fabric can help with preventing too much sinking.
It is a plus that it’s breathable, and I agree that the Tempur Flat foundation could potentially trap moisture in more humid environments unless you added something like coir. But if this Southerland build doesn’t offer enough surface coverage or leaves your latex vulnerable to sagging between supports, that breathability benefit might not be worth it.
Is your mattress a DIY? Or did you purchase from a particular brand?
KADMAR1,
The picture looks like a semiflex to me. That is what S&F would typically use. I think I mentioned in another post, the Terra Foundation, although I know it is about double the price compared to a typical KD. The Terra will last probably forever. Before the Terra came out, I purchased a KD from Ironwood It has worked great so far on my plank luxe mattress for over a year or so now. Not as good as the Terra, but I needed to reduce the height from my previous semiflex of 9" to 5 with the ironwood.
Hi, just piggybacking off these posts…awhile ago you helped me put together my KD foundation, now over a year and half later after a move the slats are not great but I think I need a new foundation for underneath. I currently have a knickerbocker one but not the sturdy ones like the engage and mine has a metal bar going from top to bottom, I am thinking that is the problem as the slats are flexing. Would the engage or the embrace even work since that center bar is vertical and the KD goes top to bottom? Trying to figure out strategy as I think at some point the KD frame will have to be replaced but starting from the bottom up.
Why not look at a @Mattressfoundations terra bunkie. Not much better than that and use it with your current bed frame. Those slats will not bow, they are tightly spaced and they are not new, but available more recently.
The kd will not be as robust as this newer Terra Bunkie. It is made like a tank with less than 2" spacing, thicker slats and can handle a lot of weight
I was looking to replace my metal frame prior to see if that helps first but you said the bunkie board that won’t work on a frame. Based on the original question, since you are familiar with the knockdown frame which has a beam top to bottom would that work do you think with one of the other knickerbocker frames that have the beam across center.
So the KD Frame is very good, not the absolute best. I use it and it is fine. I have a BB Plank Luxe. The Embrace frame has center support, I dont think the engauge does. The Terra Foundation 5.5 is one of the strongest you can buy and come 5.5".
I forget which frame you have, but with either the embrace ir engauge you need a box foundation. The Embrace is better as there are center supports, although the terra foundation is so solid it could work on either. With the embrace 360 platform, you dont need anything extra, but it will be rather low.
I have a metal knickerbocker frame with a center bar top to bottom, neither the engage or embrace one looking to get one…the one I have is not great and on top the KD knockdown frame with slats that is flexing…
