DIY Latex Hybrid Split King Build – Seeking Advice

Talk To The Experts
1

I’m in the process of building a DIY latex hybrid split king mattress and could use some advice.

Current Plan:

  • Support Layer:
    • Texas Pocket Springs - 8" Quad Coils - 15.5g (split king)
    • Price: $495 (Pocket Coil Store)
  • Comfort Layers (My Side):
    • 3" Talalay blended latex (medium, 24 ILD)
    • Price: $275
  • Comfort Layers (Partner’s Side):
    • 3" Talalay blended latex (extra soft, 15 ILD)
    • Price: $275

Mattress Cover:

I’m holding off on buying the cover until I know whether I’ll need to adjust or add layers. I’m looking for a budget-friendly option when the time comes, but I’m not sure if I should go with a stretch knit or quilted cover.

Personal Stats:

  • Me: 5’9", 135 lbs – 80% back sleeper, 20% side sleeper
  • Partner: 5’3", 150 lbs – 80% side sleeper, 20% stomach sleeper

Concerns/Questions:

  • Is this plan reasonable for a simple, two-layer hybrid build?
  • Would a stretch knit cover be fine, or should I consider a quilted cover for more comfort and durability?
  • How do I know what the mattress will feel like after 1-2 nights of testing it without a cover? I know adding a cover changes the feel, so should it feel just a tad too soft or too firm without one? I’ve also read that mattresses loosen up after about 30 days—how should I balance these factors when deciding to buy a cover?

I tested mattresses in-store at Mattress Makers in San Diego, and their guidance helped me decide on Talalay latex for the top layer (I didn’t like Dunlop at 3" thick at any firmness). Now I’m committed to the DIY route, but I want to make sure I’m on the right track.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

2

Hello bhaz1024 and welcome to the forums and thanks for the inquiry! There’s nothing about your plan that says it wouldn’t work for you, so I think you’re in good shape on this!

Regarding the cover: If you sleep on the mattress without a cover and it’s perfect, then my advice is to get a stretch cover. If you sleep on the mattress and it’s too plush or you’re sinking in too much, then you’d be better off with a cotton & wool cover.

However, please note that you’ll likely feel the split in your top layer if you don’t get a cotton & wool cover, so you might need to navigate that issue somehow. Maybe see if you can exchange the 2 split layers for a layer of 15 ILD glued to 24 ILD after you both try the split layer and confirm it’s what you need.

If you start with a cotton & wool cover and it starts out fairly tight and you want to know what it’s going to feel like in a month or 2 after the cover breaks in, all you have to do is unzip the zipper in the top panel of the cover and this will give you a good idea of how much the feel will change after the cover breaks in.

2 Likes
3

Thanks so much for the detailed response! I really appreciate the feedback and guidance.

I have one more question based on your advice: Should my choice of cover be affected if I decide to add a 1-inch layer of firmer foam (~35-50 ILD) under the 8" springs? I understand this would impact the cover size. I’ve seen this approach in a few DIY builds and was wondering if it’s something I should consider. My king platform bed (Nomad by KD Frames) has 2.8-inch spacing between the slats, and I’ll be using two Twin XL spring units (each with a firm edge on one side). If I do add a foam layer, would it be better to use two Twin XL pieces or a single king-sized piece?

Thanks again for all the help! Looking forward to any additional insights.

1 Like