Hi dsw61,
Hopefully some of the members that have latex mattresses with wool quilted covers will see your post and share their comments although I would also keep in mind that their preferences may not be the same as yours. There is also more about the pros and cons of a wool quilted cover in post #6 here.
Phoenix
Was going to get a zippered cotton/wool cover, but after researching mattress protectors, I’m not sure that’s the best way to go. I like the idea of having wool in either the zippered cover or the protector; but I don’t see a benefit in having wool in both. So either a pure cotton zippered cover without wool and a cotton/wool protector…or…a cotton/wool zippered cover and a 100% cotton protector. I don’t need a water proof protector… Just something to protect the mattress from normal body perspiration and oils.
Wondering if one way is better than the other. I do like the idea of being able to easily remove a mattress protector with wool in it and take it outside to air out.
On a side note, I ordered the bottom two layers today. Dunlop Latex Green ILD 38 and Dunlop Latex Green ILD 28 -30. Was going to order Radium Talalay ILD 28 for the top layer, but the two places I talked to today suggested I consider going with ILD 22 - 24; so I’m going to sleep on it.
Hi dsw61,
It would be a preference choice that would really depend on your own specific needs and preferences. I would keep in mind that a mattress protector and a mattress cover are completely different products that have different functions and will each have a different effect on the feel and performance of a mattress (even if they both use similar materials) so I would choose each of them based on your own specific needs and preferences and on their own merits without regard to what you choose for the other one.
Phoenix
FIrst two 3" layers of latex were delivered yesterday…38ish ILD and 30ish ILD Latex Green 100% natural. Slept on them last night using only a mattress protector and sheet., in order to get an idea what ILD we want for the top layer. I’ve never slept on latex before so the night was a learning experience.
I didn’t wake up thinking I had just slept on some magical mattress that was going to lead to endless nights of blissful sleep. However I did wake up with a new appreciation for the properties of latex. My concern when ordering the 38 ILD and 30 ILD was that they were going to feel. “hard”. because both are considered to be “firm”, with 38 ILD being borderline “extra firm”. IMO neither one felt hard or anything approaching hard… I would describe it as soft to the touch, which had me a little concerned that it was going to be too soft. After laying down on it though it was very supportive. Basically, the ILDs make a lot more sense to me now. The ILDs are typically measured at 25% and 40% compression. When I touch the latex to get an idea how it feels, I’m not compressing it so it feels kind of soft. However as you start applying more pressure, it begins to firm up, but not in a way that feels hard. During the night I always felt supported, but never really felt any pressure points; and this is on a base configuration that would be considered firm.
The inner spring mattresses that I’ve laid on that are labeled as firm; actually feel hard to me. Not so with the latex. Anyways, the comments I’ve read that describe latex as pushing back more as more weight is applied, makes a lot more sense to me now.
My wife did tell me this morning that her left hip didn’t hurt this morning for the first time in a while. I’m a little stiff around my rib cage, but that is probably do to getting the latex upstairs and on the foundation 
Probably the biggest surprise is that the latex layers are a full 60x80, whereas our current queen inner spring mattress is more like 57x76. The additional couple of inches in each direction makes a noticeable difference.
Will probably stick to my original plan and order 3" Talalay ILD 28 for the top layer. Still can’t decide on the zippered cover. I’ve narrowed it down to these two:
(need to scroll down to the “Natural Cover” section)
If anyone has any thoughts on these two covers, I’m all ears. I’m not looking for “right or wrong” guidence, but just some general preferences that others may have. I will also be buying a new mattress protector.
Hi dsw61,
Thanks for the update and for taking the time to share your comments and feedback. It certainly sounds like you are making some good progress
Most of the ILD’s you will see in North America are measured at 25% compression although the ILD of different types and blends of latex aren’t really directly comparable to each other (see post #6 here).
While different manufacturers can use different “word ratings” for their latex layers … most people would consider 30 ILD to be more in a medium range than firm.
ADMIN NOTE:Removed 404 page link | Archived Footprint: diynaturalbedding.com/product/knit-t...gots-organic-cotton/
I may have linked this in a previous reply but there is more about the pros and cons of a wool quilted cover vs a thinner and more stretchy knit cover post #6 here.
You may have seen this already but just in case there is more about the pros and cons of different types of mattress protectors and some examples of each of them in post #89 here.
I’m looking forward to finding out what you end up deciding for your final design.
Phoenix
Thanks for your last post Phoenix. I’ve been to the links you highlighted, but went back and reread them to refresh my memory. Still not sure which cover I want to buy. Do you have a preference? What would you do if you were me? I’m sure I would be happy with either one, but I’m curious as to what others think or have experienced.
Hi dsw61,
I or some of the more knowledgeable members of the site can certainly help you to narrow down your options, help you focus on better quality/value choices that are available to you either locally or online, help you identify any lower quality materials or weak links in a mattress relative to your weight that you may be considering, act as a fact check, answer many of the specific questions you may have along the way that don’t involve what you will “feel” on a mattress, and help with “how” to choose but only you can decide which specific combination of materials and components is “best for you” or which ones you would likely prefer regardless of whether anyone else (including me) would have the same criteria or circumstances or would make the same choice.
On a forum like this where I am the moderator and answer most of the questions and posts on the site … my own subjective personal preferences would carry too much weight or “influence” and be much too likely to be “translated” into a specific suggestion or recommendation that was somehow “better” and my own specific needs and preferences may be very different from yours.
Once you know the pros and cons of each of them (which are based on many people’s experience) … I would make your choice based on whether the more “relaxed” surface feel and temperature regulation benefits of having a wool quilted cover are more or less important to you than the benefits of a thinner more stretchy knit cover that would “allow” more of the feel and resiliency and contouring ability of the latex underneath it to “come through”.
I would also choose your top layer before making your choice about the cover (which would be the last component I would purchase).
Phoenix
After sleeping on the 38 ILD and 30 ILD layers for several nights I decided to order a 22 -24 ILD all natural Talalay 3" top layer. made by Radium. I’'m a little concerned that it might be a little soft, but the overwhelming consensus by the online folks was to go with the soft rather than the 28 ILD medium. I feel good though that I was able to find a soft that was above the 18 - 19 ILD that seems to be what is commonly sold for soft Talalay. My understanding is that Radium has target ILD numbers for their natural latex of 18, 23, 28; for the firmness range I was looking at for the top layer. 23 seems like a good compromise between what some are selling as soft (19) and medium.(28).
Also decided to go with the all natural knit cotton/wool quilted ticking/cover. Couldn’t resist after they agreed to sell me the matching cover they use for their slatted foundations. I’m building my own foundation and was going to have to buy some fabric to cover it in, so this saves me a step. Just hope the foundations they sell are true to size, because mine is going to be exactly 60" x 80" and 5.5" high, which is what their low profile version.is suppose to be.
Still shopping for a decent all natural mattress protector. Those things are a little pricey at around $170 for a queen.
Hi dsw61,
Thanks for the update.
It sounds like you are making some great choices and it’s good to hear that you will also have “matching” mattress and foundation covers as well but of course the real test is sleeping on them and I’m looking forward to your feedback once you’ve put all the components in your sleeping system together and had the chance to sleep on them.
You can see the Radium targetILDrangesherebutbasedonsomehttps://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/0https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/1https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/2https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/3https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/4https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/5https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/6https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/7https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/8https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/966/NewRadiumILD1_2014-04-17.gif]target0comparedtheirILDratingstotheILDhttps://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/0https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/1https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/2https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/3https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/4https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/5https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/6https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/7https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/8https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/9notexactlycomparabletoeachother.
You’re certainly right that wool quilted cotton mattress protectors are generally more costly than other types of mattress protectors that are available because the materials they use are more costly. You’ve probably seen this already but there is more about the pros and cons of different types of mattress protectors and some examples of each of them in post #89 here.
Phoenix
The cotton/wool encasement and matching foundation cover was delivered on Monday and the Talalay comfort layer was delivered yesterday. The dimensions of my DIY foundation was exactly 60"x80" and 5 1/2" high. The foundation cover was a really tight fit. The problem is the corners of my foundation are not rounded off enough…so I will eventually have to take it back outside and give the corners more of a radius with a sander. I built my foundation using 2x6s on edge; added a 2x2 ledger 3/4" down from the top of the 2x6s along the 80" dimension, screwed in 1x4s spaced 1 1/2" apart to the top of the ledgers. Also added a 2x4 down the center running in the 80" dimension and have three 2x2 legs equally spaced supporting the 2x4 to the floor. The foundation is heavier than I wanted, but the only way I can think of to have made it lighter is to have used 1x6s instead of 2x6s. Not sure that would have been sturdy enough though. Probably would have.
The cotton/wool zippered encasement seems to be of good quality. The three layers fit in fine, but I did have to work the corners and edges some; which I expected having to do based on my research. Final configuration starting at the bottom is 3" Dunlop 38 ILD, 3" 28 -30 ILD, 3" Talalay 22-24 ILD. All layers are suppose to be all natural. The Dunlop is suppose to be made by Latex Green, and the Talalay by Radium. I will say that the Talalay appears to be some very high quality stuff. Very impressed with it. It is definitely more springy than the Dunlop, so I’m glad I went with Dunlop on the bottom two layers.
When I unwrapped the Talalay, both my wife and I thought it felt really soft; which got me thinking it might be too soft. However when you lay on it, it is very supportive. Latex mattress layers are some weird stuff. Weird in a good way though. Just really hard to accurately describe. The Talalay especially feels soft and supportive at the same time… We have been sleeping on the two bottom layers for over a week and both of us thought that setup was too firm. We slept on the completed mattress last night and both of us thought it was comfortable. My initial thought this morning was that I’m glad we went with the Talalay 22-24 ILD instead of the 28 ILD Talalay. It doesn’t appear that the 22-24 ILD Talalay will be too soft. Also, IMO; latex does not sleep hot or even warm. I would describe it as being temperature neutral.
Wanted to add that my wife commented this morning that she did not feel me moving around much. IMO, the latex has significantly less motion transfer than an inner spring.
Hi dsw61,
Thank you for your feedback.
You are correct – this is normal for fitting the layers within a cover.
[quote]
When I unwrapped the Talalay, both my wife and I thought it felt really soft; which got me thinking it might be too soft. However, when you lay on it, it is very supportive. Latex mattress layers are some weird stuff. Weird in a good way though. Just really hard to accurately describe. The Talalay especially feels soft and supportive at the same time[/quote]
The best word I’ve heard to describe this sensation is “buoyant.” Your description is good as well!
Talalay latex is generally the most breathable of all foams and doesn’t possess the viscous properties of visco-elastic foam.
Latex is generally very good at motion isolation. Visco elastic foam tends to be the best. Marshall innerspring units tend to be the best spring unit at motion isolation, but of course this will change with every comfort layer that is placed upon the finished mattress.
I’m happy that your new setup is working well for you, and I’ll look forward to any future comments down the road.
Phoenix
The Talalay 23 ILD top layer still does not feel too soft. I think the 28 ILD would have been too firm.
We went to a Latexco sales event open to the public in Hartwell on Saturday and bought enough latex for two 9 1/2" queen beds. The latex is Dunlop blended, which is not what we were wanting for ourselves, and the selection was limited and no ILDs provided; but the prices were too good to pass up. Will configure one bed for my daughter and do another for a guest bed…or maybe make one 12" one and use the left over layers for toppers. Bought two twin xl 2" toppers for the girl’s college beds…for $36. If you bought at least 9" of latex they threw in a pretty decent zippered stretch knit cover for free. The latex pillow prices were so good we bought twelve. Will resell or give away the extras as gifts. The Lanoodle pillows are really nice.
Six of the layers we bought were compressed and wrapped in plastic for about two years, and I was worried they wouldn’t regain their original shape. The sales people assured us they would. Sure enough, when we opened them up they expanded nicely. Our only choices were firm and soft. The firm is really firm and will make great base layers. The soft pin core is a good middle ground softness. The two soft wave layers we bought though, are really soft…plush. If you flip them and put the flat side up they are a little firmer…so that is an option.
H dsw61:
Thanks for the update!
Those are really some incredible values. Even though the feels aren’t what you would have picked out for yourself, those layers will make great mattresses for your guest room and your daughter. Flipping the wave layer over is a common practice – nothing wrong with that!
Thanks again for your update. I’m glad you were able to take advantage of that sale.
Phoenix
Ended up configuring a 7’5" mattress for my daughter using the Latexco latex we bought. 5" of firm and 2.5" of soft. She thought the 2" wave layer was too soft so we took it out after one night. Will use that layer as a topper on another bed. At $16 per inch of thickness and a free encasement, her bed only cost $120. I can barely tell the difference with the wave layer being in or out. She only weighs 120 lbs so I don’t think it matters one way or the other, but it’s kind of fun to experiment. Throw in one latex pillow for $15 and that’s a pretty decent sleep system for the price.
Hi dsw61,
As they are fond of saying in the UK…“Result!” :lol:
Phoenix
Daughter said she didn’t sleep as well last night with the wave layer removed so it looks like the 2" wave layer is going back in…with wave side down.
Hi dsw61.
As they also might say in the UK, “Result…delayed!” :woohoo:
One thing to keep in mind is that it takes time to adjust to any new sleep surface, what I like to term a period of retrogression (like in resistance training when you start a new program and you are sore for the first few weeks). I would try and convince your daughter to spend a few weeks on a consistent configuration and then objectively analyze her level of comfort.
I think going with the wave side down is the right move, as she thought it was too soft with the waves up. It’s nice that you have the ability to customize with all of the components you were able to purchase.
Good luck!
Phoenix
My daughter is really liking her latex mattress, and my wife and I are really happy with ours. Can’t ever recall having a mattress where I went to sleep with a stiff neck or a little lower back pain, and woke up feeling fine. We also really like the latex pillows. My wife likes the LaNoodle, my daughter prefers the solid one, and I’ve been switching back and forth between the two. I can’t decide which one I like better. Both feel good.
Hi dsw61,
Thank you for the update on your latex mattress componentry adventure. I’m glad that everyone is sleeping well. I’m also glad that you are enjoying your pillows.
Isn’t it nice when you have a choice between two things that are great?
Phoenix
