DIY latex mattress help ( budget )

[phoenix]

Hi gardenguy,

Let me ask this if I may; in your estimation would a 23-27 “medium” Radium talalay layer, be very close to a soft 20 from SOL?

You should notice that it would feel slightly firmer, and also there will be more of a difference as I think you said you are going from a 2" layer to a 3" layer. Also, remember that a smaller ILD difference will be more noticeable between plush layers (lower ILDs) than firmer layers (firmer ILDs), as it will be a larger percentage difference.

If it has close to the same amount of “sink” when the two are paired in the final configuration, it may be too much sink for me. I thought I read in some of your posts that a soft dunlop is comparable to a talalay of 5 ILD points ahead of it.

Don’t try to be too predictive with specifics in an area where there is no such thing. All ILDs are within ranges, and the overall comfort depends upon how all of the layers of the mattress work together. Only your own personal testing of configurations will determine if the layers work well for you, which is part of the overall DIY process.

My fear I suppose, is that the 19-22 radium talalay I have now, paired with the 23-27 medium that 247 mattresses is providing, is going to fall on the number 23. If my soft happened to land on 22, then there we have two layers with one point separating them, and I am stuck with 2 softs essentially. This is my dilemma.

ILDs don’t work in this manner and are not something where you add up and divide or come up with averages. This is why many manufactures choose to describe the foam layers as “soft” or “medium”, as it eliminates the temptation of consumers to come up with exact specifications in a situation where none exist.

What this means in “real life” is that trying to predict how a mattress will feel and perform using only one of many “specs” or variables that are involved can be somewhat risky or misleading, and even the most experienced mattress designers that are familiar with and have a great deal of experience with all the many variables and specs that can affect the feel and performance of a mattress can often be surprised at what a mattress was “supposed” to feel like based on specs and what it “actually” feels like in real life so in practical terms the only reliable way to know how any specific combination of materials and specs will feel like for you would be based on your own actual testing or personal experience. Specs can be a very rough guideline that can help you “find the range” but there are far too many unknowns and variables to use them to find the “best” combination or materials or components that would be suitable for any specific person with any degree of certainty.

I don’t want to have to send another layer back, but I also don’t want to get the 28-32 and it’s as firm as my existing poly base foam. To be certain I need more give than my base foam provides. I suppose this is the risk in DIY.

I understand wanting to get everything right on the first or second attempt, but that’s all part of the experimentation and fun of a DIY project.

Phoenix