DIY Latex Hybrid Failure. Any way to remedy?

[caverunner17]

After tons of research and trying out beds at various stores, my fiancee and I decided we would just DIY our own mattress. We got the 6" Pocket Coils from Mattresses.net and separate 3"TwinXL Latex toppers from sleeponlatex - her’s in soft, mine in medium, given we like separate firmness levels.

First night was a disaster. While testing a similar setup in the store (Naturepedic) it felt perfect, however after actually building it at home, I made it about an hour before heading to our guest bedroom. I could feel every. single. movement. she made. This was a lot different than the latex mattresses we tested in the stores, both Naturepedic and other retail locations that had latex hybrids.

For her - she said she didn’t like the feeling of being on “top” of the bed and would rather sink into it more and that even the soft didn’t feel soft enough.

I can return the Latex, but am now stuck with $370 springs. Any other types of foam or something I can use to keep this DIY, or am I better off eating the $370 and just going for something else premade? Honestly, both of us are coming from a traditional cheapie mattresses that both of us slept on pretty soundly - hers has a medium pillowtop, mine is just a hand-me-down dual sided that’s pretty firm (and I like).

[Sensei]

Hey caverunner17,

Welcome tothe Mattress Underground ! Thanks for your question.

After tons of research and trying out beds at various stores, my fiancee and I decided we would just DIY our own mattress.

Congrats on your new DIY mattress project ! Good job on your pre-DIY research and mattress comparisons, caverunner17. Making store visits (when COVID-19 safe conditions are available) is ideal for understanding the feel and response of how various materials and constructions interact while sleeping on a particular mattress. You are part of a growing movement of consumers seeking to create their own mattress, now that so many DIY options are widely available.

[quote]
We got the 6" Pocket Coils from Mattresses.net and separate 3"TwinXL Latex toppers from sleeponlatex - her’s in soft, mine in medium, given we like separate firmness levels. First night was a disaster. While testing a similar setup in the store (Naturepedic) it felt perfect, however after actually building it at home, I made it about an hour before heading to our guest bedroom. I could feel every. single. movement. she made. This was a lot different than the latex mattresses we tested in the stores, both Naturepedic and other retail locations that had latex hybrids
[/quote].
Thanks for your support of TMU trusted members Arizona Premium and Sleep On Latex :! :). I’m sorry to learn that your initial Naturepedic mattress “approximation” didn’t go as planned with the unexpected motion transfer issue arising. Have you spoken with either manufacturer regarding possible adjustments?

For her - she said she didn’t like the feeling of being on “top” of the bed and would rather sink into it more and that even the soft didn’t feel soft enough.

Perhaps with her feeling of being on “top” of the bed, she is sleeping closer to/ feeling more of the Dunlop latex on the DIY than she did with the Naturepedic and other hybrids tested. Which Naturpedic did you both like? What type cover are you using with your DIY?

I can return the Latex, but am now stuck with $370 springs. Any other types of foam or something I can use to keep this DIY, or am I better off eating the $370 and just going for something else premade? Honestly, both of us are coming from a traditional cheapie mattresses that both of us slept on pretty soundly - hers has a medium pillowtop, mine is just a hand-me-down dual sided that’s pretty firm (and I like).

If you are trying to replicate the feel of a traditional mattress, the use of a pocket coil support base is a good starting point. Here are a couple of q’s for you: what foam are you using underneath the pocket coil array? Use of a quality HD foam acts as a stabilizer for the coils, preventing the individual coils from independent “sway” while they do their job of responding to an individual’s body profile. What type of base are you using? Can you also give details on both of you and your fiancee’s personal stats and sleep position(s)? Looking forward to learning more about your project and what next steps you will choose.

Thanks,
Sensei

[caverunner17]

[quote=“Sensei” post=86656]Hey caverunner17,

Congrats on your new DIY mattress project ! Good job on your pre-DIY research and mattress comparisons, caverunner17. Making store visits (when COVID-19 safe conditions are available) is ideal for understanding the feel and response of how various materials and constructions interact while sleeping on a particular mattress. You are part of a growing movement of consumers seeking to create their own mattress, now that so many DIY options are widely available.

Thanks for your support of TMU trusted members Arizona Premium and Sleep On Latex :! :). I’m sorry to learn that your initial Naturepedic mattress “approximation” didn’t go as planned with the unexpected motion transfer issue arising. Have you spoken with either manufacturer regarding possible adjustments?

Perhaps with her feeling of being on “top” of the bed, she is sleeping closer to/ feeling more of the Dunlop latex on the DIY than she did with the Naturepedic and other hybrids tested. Which Naturpedic did you both like? What type cover are you using with your DIY?

If you are trying to replicate the feel of a traditional mattress, the use of a pocket coil support base is a good starting point. Here are a couple of q’s for you: what foam are you using underneath the pocket coil array? Use of a quality HD foam acts as a stabilizer for the coils, preventing the individual coils from independent “sway” while they do their job of responding to an individual’s body profile. What type of base are you using? Can you also give details on both of you and your fiancee’s personal stats and sleep position(s)? Looking forward to learning more about your project and what next steps you will choose.

Thanks,
Sensei[/quote]

Thanks for the reply!

The mattress we tested was the Naturepedic EOS Classic – https://www.naturepedic.com/adult/mattresses/eos-classic-organic-mattress

Currently, we don’t have an encasement for the mattress layers. Given the price, of one I wanted to make sure we were pretty happy with the purchase and didn’t need any adjustments before getting one of the bamboo ones from Mattresses.net as then we wouldn’t be able to make layer height changes without getting a new encasement. We have a somewhat thin cotton mattress pad covering the entire mattress and then our sheets.

After talking to Ken a month or so back before ordering the springs, he said we didn’t need anything under the springs when I asked about a separate foam layer. As such, the springs are currently sitting right on top of the bed frame – Wayfair | Beds You'll Love in 2023 Would it make sense to add an inch or two of foam under the springs? If so, what would you recommend?

For our sleeping positions, I’m about 155lbs and a stomach sleeper. She’s around 125lbs and goes between stomach and side.

One of the reasons we chose latex is that I’m a hot sleeper. I personally keep the room at around 65 deg at night and in the summer often only sleep with a sheet and maybe a thin throw blanket. I’m not married to the idea of latex – my current mattress is an old school double sided twisted metal spring with who knows what as padding. I just know that memory foam is a complete no go for us as every experience we’ve had with it has ended up with me waking up sweating and or not being able to get comfortable.

Would it make more sense to go for an additional foam layer between the springs and latex, providing more of a buffer for my fiancée? If so, then I assume that we should get only a 2" latex topper instead of 3?

Cheers and thanks!
Brandon

[Sensei]

Hey Brandon,

Thanks for your reply .

The mattress we tested was the Naturepedic EOS Classic – www.naturepedic.com/adult/mattresses/eos-classic-organic-mattress Currently, we don’t have an encasement for the mattress layers. Given the price, of one I wanted to make sure we were pretty happy with the purchase and didn’t need any adjustments before getting one of the bamboo ones from Mattresses.net as then we wouldn’t be able to make layer height changes without getting a new encasement. We have a somewhat thin cotton mattress pad covering the entire mattress and then our sheets.

The EOS mattress that you tested features a wool batting + PLA comfort layer within the upper part of the mattress encasement, providing a much different feel than your current cotton mattress pad setup. Understood on the encasement purchase postponement reasoning, Brandon. You’ll find that using a well constructed zippered cover for containing your DIY setup will significantly correct any layer shifting and other transfer of motion you are currently experiencing. The thin cotton mattress pad currently in use simply isn’t designed to take on that task. When you are ready to take that step, have accurate measurements and a good understanding of the cover’s fabrication as the encasement also can influence the “feel” of the comfort layers sometimes firming up the mattress surface and resulting in a “drum” effect.

After talking to Ken a month or so back before ordering the springs, he said we didn’t need anything under the springs when I asked about a separate foam layer. As such, the springs are currently sitting right on top of the bed frame – www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdx/andover-mills-matheney-platform-bed-andv2256.html?piid=30610156%2C24102551 Would it make sense to add an inch or two of foam under the springs? If so, what would you recommend?

Thanks for including the links for reference, they were helpful . Have you since spoken with Ken regarding what may better remedy your concerns after having slept on your DIY for a bit? Generally speaking, an inch of HD foam between the metal slatted platform and the pocket coil array could offer more stability; however, Ken would be the best judge of whether that would help solve the issue.

For our sleeping positions, I’m about 155lbs and a stomach sleeper. She’s around 125lbs and goes between stomach and side. One of the reasons we chose latex is that I’m a hot sleeper. I personally keep the room at around 65 deg at night and in the summer often only sleep with a sheet and maybe a thin throw blanket. I’m not married to the idea of latex – my current mattress is an old school double sided twisted metal spring with who knows what as padding. I just know that memory foam is a complete no go for us as every experience we’ve had with it has ended up with me waking up sweating and or not being able to get comfortable.

Latex, with its open-cell structure and natural air circulating properties will definitely get you where you want to be in terms of “sleeping cool”. The open structure of your metal slatted platform bed should help provide good air circulation too. The type mattress cover, linens, etc. all play a role in providing optimal air circulation as well.

Would it make more sense to go for an additional foam layer between the springs and latex, providing more of a buffer for my fiancée? If so, then I assume that we should get only a 2" latex topper instead of 3?

If you choose to add an additional foam layer, it would be underneath the springs for stability of the pocket coil array rather than above. The addition of a latex topper is a matter of comfort preferences. As you both have stomach sleeping positions, take care that the comfort layer you choose provides enough firmness, as sinking in too far can cause pain in the lumbar area and increase risk of back issues.

Hope you find the solution to your motion situation Brandon, and feel free to share updates when you can .

Thanks,
Sensei