DIY All-Latex Questions

[phoenix]

Hi OverAnalyzingThis,

Welcome to the Mattress Forum!

I am attempting a DIY build and have a few questions. I have been looking forever, big time analysis paralysis

Your screen name says it all – hopefully I can help out with that a bit! :lol:

I finally had an opportunity to try a few all-latex mattresses locally, From this experience and TMU, I have decided I want to purchase a latex mattress, at-least 9 inches thick and close to a standard medium construction. The $3700.00 mattress I enjoyed locally was a medium construction blended talalay line (Jamison).

An all-latex mattress certainly would contain high-quality and durable materials and be an excellent choice for a premium mattress. While there is no “standard medium construction”, were you able to gather the specifications of the Jamison mattress that you liked? One of my best recommendations for building a DIY mattress is to use the specifications of a mattress you’ve tested and enjoyed and a starting point, or alternatively use a “bottom up” approach (see post #2 here).

I am trying to do this on a budget, and have found I can get three 3-inch toppers of all-natural talalay latex, indirectly sourced from latex international, for around $11150.00,

I’m guessing you meant $1150.00, not $11,500.00! :ohmy: Otherwise, we might have to have a talk about exactly what was in that latex!

Talalay Global (formerly Latex International) produces 100% NR and blended Talalay. Radium would be another company that produces Talalay. One of the advantages with sourcing foam layers and a cover from different suppliers is that you can sometimes piece together a product at a lower overall price, The disadvantage can be that you won’t have the advantage of using the experience of a manufacturer that may have decades of experience in helping people with various combinations that tend to work well with a DIY product, the ability to exchange/return the product, and that your product may not meet federal flammability guidelines (this may or may not be important to many people). These would all be part of your own personal value equation that you’d want to examine and rate.

First, is there any disadvantage to using two 3-inch toppers as a support core instead of a solid piece 6 inch core?

When you say toppers, I’m assuming you simply mean two pieces of 3" Talalay foam versus one 6" piece (not separately encased 3" pieces).

This question gets asked quite a bit. There would be little if any practical difference between two 3" support layers and a single 6" support layer if they were all the same type and blend of latex and the same ILD and were inside a tight fitting cover with 3" inches of latex of the same ILD on top of them. Two 3" layers would respond a little more independently and because the elasticity of the top 3" wouldn’t be connected and “pulling back” on the bottom 3" when it compresses and “in theory” it may act a little bit softer but in practical and real life terms most people wouldn’t notice any difference in terms of performance or firmness. If a single 6" core with a 3" comfort layer was a good match for you in terms of PPP then there would be little benefit in having multiple 3" layers that were the equivalent ILD.

Also in “theory only” … two 3" layers that were exactly the same ILD as a single 6" layer could be less durable over the course of a long lifetime because they will act more independently and abrade each other slightly but I don’t think that any difference would be significant or even measurable in “real life” terms and the other factors that affect durability (see post #4 here) such as the firmness of the layers would play a much bigger role. It certainly wouldn’t be a concern of mine.

Multiple layers would have more options for fine tuning though both before and after a purchase because for example a support core with a medium over firm layer would be a little firmer than a medium layer and a little softer than a firm layer (closer to the medium) and you would also have the option to rearrange the layers to firm over medium which would still be in between a medium and firm 6" layer but closer to the firm. You could also use the softer top layer in the middle to create a firmer feel compared to having the soft on top. The main advantage of having more layers in other words is that for those who need it can provide more options to customize the layer combinations either before a purchase or by rearranging or exchanging layers after a purchase. While this is attractive to some people … it can also add some complexity that may not be necessary or may not justify any extra costs involved in having more layers for others.

Second, can you recommend a couple of potential ILD configurations? I am looking for something close to a “standard” medium or medium-firm construction using 3 layers. I was thinking (bottom to top) Firm-30-34 ILD/Medium-25-29 ILD/Medium-25-29 ILD or Firm/Medium/Soft-20-24 ILD. I realize comfort is different for everyone, just curious about what would be considered within the normal range for a 3 layer medium-medium firm construction.

While I can certainly help with “how” to choose … It’s not possible to make specific suggestions or recommendations for either a mattress or combinations of materials or components because the first “rule” of mattress shopping is to always remember that you are the only one that can feel what you feel on a mattress. There are just too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences involved that are unique to each person to use a formula or for anyone to be able to predict or make a specific suggestion or recommendation about which mattress or combination of materials and components or which type of mattress would be the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort”, firmness, or PPP or how a mattress will “feel” to you or compare to another mattress based on specs (either yours or a mattress), sleeping positions, health conditions, or “theory at a distance” that can possibly be more reliable than your own careful testing (hopefully using the testing guidelines in step 4 of the tutorial) or your own personal sleeping experience (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here).

Both of the combinations you listed use what most in the industry would consider a basic “firm” base layer at 30-34 ILD, with a common transition layer at 25-29 ILD. Of course the difference in the upper layer, which will be the most noticeable in your overall comfort, would be the largest decision. The firm/medium/medium would tend to have a bit more of a firmer overall feel and more popular generally with back and stomach sleepers. The firm/medium/plush you described would generally tend to be more common with side/back sleepers. But again, these are generalities and what might work best for you could be totally different.

Third, can you recommend a few good value retailers for an encasement that would fit over 9 inches in king size? My main priority here is sleeping cool.

There is a good group of mattress cover suppliers in post #4 here, about half way down in the post. In very general terms, the materials, layers, and components of a sleeping system that are closer to your skin will have a bigger effect on airflow, moisture transport, and temperature regulation than materials, layers, and components that are further away from your skin. Natural fibers, like covers that use cotton and wool, are very good at temperature regulation, but some of them can be stiff and firm up the feel of your mattress. Stretch-knit covers are popular as well, don’t generally change the feel of the mattress as much and most are quite breathable, but may not have the integrity, durability, or level of natural materials than some of the other covers may offer. Overall, there are quite a few quality choices available of both styles.

Finally, any contingencies with DIY I made not have considered?

Well, that’s a loaded question with a million possible replies!:woohoo:

My advice is when building your own DIY mattress out of separate components that are purchased from one or several different sources, be sure to pay attention to option 3 in post #15 here and the posts it links to (and option #1 and #2 as well) so that you have more realistic expectations and that you are comfortable with the learning curve, uncertainty, trial and error, or in some cases the higher costs that may be involved in the DIY process. While it can certainly be a rewarding project …[i] the best approach to a DIY mattress is a “spirit of adventure” where what you learn and the satisfaction that comes from the process itself is more important than any cost savings you may realize (which may or may not happen).

[/i]I look forward to learning about our process and what you decide to do.

Phoenix