DIY Hybrid for XXHeavy side sleeper

Mattress Talk General Mattresses Questions
1

So I tried a local bed manufacturer and I could not get a guarantee to help if bed wasn’t right. Then I watched lots U Tube and had lots of idea’s but no wisdom. Then came the DIY vendors which lead me manufactures details/spec’s. Finally calling and talking to vendors

So I found which pocket springs had the highest ILD rating, then 3" of firmest Dunlop, followed by 3" of medium 100% Talalay latex. No cover yet going to put old mattress cover and sleep on it. Then decide if it need changes

For the adjustable base I found one made in Tennessee with no frills just head and foot with 800# Queen capacity guarantee of 3,5,20 years. This model has virtually no ads, made by American Adjustables for Southerland InMotion model G26, found a local dealer who ordered and will deliver for $800.00

So in 2 to 4 weeks after a total of $1900.00 we’ll see if I have nice bed at half the price the local bed factory quoted. Only down side I have to get rid of the old one.

Will have to find a local kid to help me load an old bed and recliner onto my trailer for a dump run another $50.

Should I leave the springs unwrapped for a few days/week on the porch so they came temperature cycle to recover from the squeezed wrapping?

Never spent this much money or time on a bed, but now that I’m retired it was entertaining – success or failure we’ll see

2

Thanks for posting.

Could you kindly share which coils you ended up chosing and how firm they are?

And where did you source your firm Dunlop and medium Talalay parts from?

Thanks.

3

I went beddingcomponents.com and download the .pdf files for the four Quantum edge /ELITE/ coils.

Quantum edge elite 6" center ILD 762, edge ILD 805.

4

Hey LeoK,

Welcome to The Mattress Underground :slight_smile: ! Thanks for joining in and for your question.

Congrats on your new DIY mattress journey! Sounds as though you’ve taken the TMU Train and are heading to the DIY Station :slight_smile: ! You will find many fellow DIY enthusiasts here Leo who will happily share their experiences with you. Here is an interesting post by @Parcelsus462’s 5 year mattress building journey, you may find it quite helpful. Good job on your preliminary research and process. Making the calls and asking the questions are important first steps.

[quote]So I found which pocket springs had the highest ILD rating, then 3" of firmest Dunlop, followed by 3" of medium 100% Talalay latex. No cover yet going to put old mattress cover and sleep on it. Then decide if it need changes

For the adjustable base I found one made in Tennessee with no frills just head and foot with 800# Queen capacity guarantee of 3,5,20 years. This model has virtually no ads, made by American Adjustables for Southerland InMotion model G26, found a local dealer who ordered and will deliver for $800.00

So in 2 to 4 weeks after a total of $1900.00 we’ll see if I have nice bed at half the price the local bed factory quoted. Only down side I have to get rid of the old one. Will have to find a local kid to help me load an old bed and recliner onto my trailer for a dump run another $50.[/quote]

You have a sound plan in place Leo; now let’s see how its execution goes. Hopefully, there is someone close by that can dispose of your former mattress properly for a small fee (unless it is useable for a family member or friend).

That is a good question for the manufacturer that sourced the coils, Leo. I’m guessing that since some days have passed, this is no longer a concern?

[quote]Never spent this much money or time on a bed, but now that I’m retired it was entertaining – success or failure we’ll see
[/quote]

You have a good DIY attitude, LeoK :wink: . Thanks for sharing your initial journey and looking forward to hearing more details following your new sleep trial period. Please keep us updated so that other consumers may learn from your experiences. Enjoy your new DIY mattress!

Thanks,
Sensei

5

My base came in got a free upgrade to the deluxe model with vibrators, as I thought a novelty, but very happy with base.

Now mattress progress, no bag yet just adjusting to a hybrid mattress, using a walmart cotton cover and sheets, the layers move around a bit, like the edge I sit on it slips the top layer in that direction.

Not happy with bed feel. Too much on it, not in it. On my back it is the best sleep ever, however on my side not good. I have to put a heavy queen size pillow against my back because the mattress wants to roll me over on my back. Also the latex foam with thin pad is a little hot, solved that by lower house temperature, but not the ideal method.

Since my old Sealy pillow top is still on the back porch I cut a corner open to see the construction of the pillow top, Three layers of foam, a waffle, egg crate, 1/2" flat foam, layer cotton tuffed batting. The layers were glued together with a spray on contact cement, set on top of a 8" old style spring that had failed on the setting edges. The reason to do this was to see how they got the pillow so comfortable.

So I ordered two more products, 2" layer of soft latex, and woolroom 1/2" thick quilted cover. Reason, looked at putting wool on the inside of the bag but was advised it will in time pack down, and hard to fluff back up. So I plan on the wool/bamboo zippered cover, but still need a washable mattress cover.

When 2" soft top layer arrives I’ll put the woolroom cover over which should help with heat issues, and add to the pillow top feel. So the total is 6" pocket coil base, 3" Dunlop firm, 3"Latex medium, 2" latex soft. A 14" mattress, may have to put the 2" legs vs 4" legs on the base.

If this finally feels right I order a 14" zipper bag.

I think I could have ordered 2" layers and accomplished the same effect and save some money, but will never know for sure.

The bed is very lively and is easy to move around on, no memory effect, easy to get out of, and truly has no pressure points.

6

Hey LeoK,

Thanks for your reply :slight_smile: .

[quote]My base came in got a free upgrade to the deluxe model with vibrators, as I thought a novelty, but very happy with base.
[/quote]

Congrats on the free upgrade to your adjustable bed base! Good to hear that you like it so far, and the vibrators do seem like a nice touch.

Once you install a proper encasement around the mattress, that should minimize the layer shifting you’re experiencing now. Have you decided what type cover you want to use? A thinner, stretchy soft cover would allow your body to conform to and feel the latex more, and a thicker quilted cover would add a firmer feel to the mattress.

You describe yourself as a “XXHeavy side sleeper”; can you explain a bit more about what isn’t good in your side-sleeping position, not enough sink? It seems odd that you’re sleeping warm on the latex. Besides the Walmart cotton cover, what type sheets and other bed coverings are you using? The queen pillow you are using as leverage to keep from rolling onto your back could be adding heat as well; what type pillow is it?

[quote]So I ordered two more products, 2" layer of soft latex, and woolroom 1/2" thick quilted cover. Reason, looked at putting wool on the inside of the bag but was advised it will in time pack down, and hard to fluff back up. So I plan on the wool/bamboo zippered cover, but still need a washable mattress cover.

When 2" soft top layer arrives I’ll put the woolroom cover over which should help with heat issues, and add to the pillow top feel. So the total is 6" pocket coil base, 3" Dunlop firm, 3"Latex medium, 2" latex soft. A 14" mattress, may have to put the 2" legs vs 4" legs on the base.

If this finally feels right I order a 14" zipper bag.

I think I could have ordered 2" layers and accomplished the same effect and save some money, but will never know for sure.

The bed is very lively and is easy to move around on, no memory effect, easy to get out of, and truly has no pressure points.[/quote]

Overall, your DIY sounds like a good fit for you, LeoK. Hopefully once you get all of the components in place and encased properly, the side sleeping issue will correct itself. Good to know that you find the mattress easy to move around on with no pressure points to speak of. Thanks for sharing your experience and let us know how things go with the final setup :wink: .

Thanks,
Sensei

7

Final installment, what to cover the mattress with?

The choice I made was a 14" cotton bag, with 1/2" cotton batting on top, and washable WoolRoom mattress protector with 1/2" of wool.

Had to put the short 2" legs on the adjustable bed base. Putting the bag on had more affect than expected, it stabilized the foam and made the bed less wiggly. The two different toppers removed the weird feel of the latex foam, now I can sleep on my side without a pillow behind me.

Again did I need the two 3 inch layers foam I think 2 inch would have worked for all three layers. If you really want a soft side sleeper you could go with a 3" inch soft latex on the top layer. Also you could probably used blended latex for middle 3 inch layer.

To bad you can’t go to a store, that stocks all the different foams and springs and have them build you different combo’s to try.

8

Hi LeoK.

Thanks for the update! It sounds like the encasement was a success.

Sensei is away at the moment, but will be returning soon and will be excited to hear of your progress!

This sounds like a business idea waiting to happen. :slight_smile:

NikkiTMU

9

[quote=“LeoK post=89980”]Final installment, what to cover the mattress with?

The choice I made was a 14" cotton bag, with 1/2" cotton batting on top, and washable WoolRoom mattress protector with 1/2" of wool.

Had to put the short 2" legs on the adjustable bed base. Putting the bag on had more affect than expected, it stabilized the foam and made the bed less wiggly. The two different toppers removed the weird feel of the latex foam, now I can sleep on my side without a pillow behind me.

Again did I need the two 3 inch layers foam I think 2 inch would have worked for all three layers. If you really want a soft side sleeper you could go with a 3" inch soft latex on the top layer. Also you could probably used blended latex for middle 3 inch layer.

To bad you can’t go to a store, that stocks all the different foams and springs and have them build you different combo’s to try.[/quote]

Could you type out what your full finished build is? Sounds like you made a decent mattress.

10

Quantum edge elite 6" center ILD 762, edge ILD 805.then 3" of firmest Dunlop, followed by 3" of medium 100% Talalay latex, 2" of soft talalay, a 14" cotton bag, with 1/2" cotton batting on top, and washable WoolRoom mattress protector with 1/2" of wool.