DIY Mattress for our 11 year old son

Mattress Talk General Mattresses Questions
1

Long time stalker, first time poster! My wife and I are shopping for our mattress and have landed on a Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt Medium Hybrid. In the process of researching and trying to save money I learned on here about DIY Mattresses. Although we’re not doing a DIY for ourselves, I’m contemplating one for my son, who is a big boy like his father so I want something to last a while… He’s really liking the Serta iSeries 1000 Hybrid which is about a 4 on the firmness scale (with 1 being least firm).

The specs to that medium firmness mattress are underwhelming with the following layers from top to bottom:
.5" 2.5# Evercool Gel Foam
1.5" 2.5# Deep Reaction MF
1" 3.5# Carbon Fiber MF
8" Wrapped coils (about 900 in Twin XL)
1" 1.8# Serta Foam

Researching DIY sources I came up with this similar replication…I think:
2" 2.5# Cooling Gel Foam
2" 4# ViscoPlush Memory Foam
1" 2.8# 35 ILD HD36-HQ Foam
6" 13.75 gauge Wrapped Coils
1" 2.8# 50 ILD Lux-HQ Foam
Bamboo/Cotton Mattress Cover

The only layer I’m not sure about is the 1" 2.8# 35 ILD HD36-HQ Foam on top of the coils between the memory foam- I’m not sure if this would make the bed too thick above the coils and feeling like he’s falling into it. Any help or guidance from the experts or those who have done this before, would be greatly appreciated.

2

Hi YSPhotog.

Welcome to our Mattress Forum. :slight_smile:

A DIY mattress is always a fun and challenging experience, and it’s great that you’re looking to build something that will offer both longevity and comfort to your son.

Looking at the specifications on the Serta iSeries 1000 Hybrid, especially for a “big boy like his father” I would have some concerns regarding the durability for this unit and trying to replicate the feel of this mattress using its specs. You may want to check out the Mattress Durability Guidelines for your son’s DIY.

There is some fairly detailed but generic information in the mattresses section of the site that will give you some insights into the theory behind mattress layering and design for different body types and sleeping styles but these are not specific to any individual person. Each different design and combination of materials can lead to a different answer … especially when there are unique needs, preferences, and challenges that may be very different from the norm or any “averages”. For example, I’ve noticed you added about 2" to the comfort layer. Was that decision based on something specific, or through mattress testing, etc?

I’d also keep in mind that attempting to find something that is exactly the same is often a frustrating and futile exercise especially if you are trying to do that on your own. There is more information in post #9 here about the different ways that one mattress can “match” or “approximate” another one. Every layer and component in a mattress (including the cover and any quilting materials) will affect the feel and performance of every other layer and component and the mattress “as a whole” so unless you are able to find another mattress that uses exactly the same type of materials, components, cover and quilting, layer thicknesses, layer firmnesses, and overall design (which would be fairly unlikely) then there really isn’t a reliable way to match one mattress to another one in terms of “comfort”, firmness, and PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and your Personal preferences) based on the specifications of the mattresses (even assuming that you can find out all the specifications you would need for both mattresses you are comparing in the first place).

This being said I think that you’d be better served by contacting one of our mattress experts that offer DIY options to help you with your build. They would be the best to help you approximate a mattress feel based on all the specs and your personal needs and preferences you may provide.

The layers that will affect whether or not he feels he’s sinking too deeply will be the two 2" foam comfort layers. The 1" is a medium-firm buffer/transition layer that is likely contributing to some secondary support. In some mattress constructions, particularly those with thinner comfort layers, they have secondary functions of helping the comfort layers to form a pressure relieving cradle and helping to hold up the more recessed parts of the body profile such as the lumbar area. You may wish to revisit the The basic functions of a mattress article for clarifying these concepts.

We have very experienced DIY experts on the forum. A few who come to mind are DIY Natural Bedding, Arizona Premium. You are welcome to contact Arizona Premium in their dedicated forum, or you can reach out to DIY Natural Bedding and ask them to weigh in here.

Looking forward to how your DIY journey unfolds!

Phoenix

3

Thank you for the insight! I was told by another mattress company that trying to match a mattress is impossible, but my stubbornness told me I could do it.

Regarding this question, it was impossible to find memory foam in 1" increments, everyone only sold it in 2" or thicker. So it wasn’t really by choice to add the 2" more by necessity from market availability to consumers. I wanted to have a caring density of town to kind of cradle him, as he liked the initial softness then the support feeling.

I reviewed these partners and with offering latex beds, I was concerned the feel as compared to memory foam would be too much of an adjustment for him to get used to.

Through my research it is interesting to see name brand latex beds being sold for several thousand and a DIY latex bed being able to be made for hundreds.

Off topic:
If someone ever came up with the ability to replicate the Intellibed/Purple gel matrix materials direct to consumers that could really get some attention… But parents may be preventing that from happening.

4

Hi YSPhotog.

The company you consulted is quite right, trying to replicate a mattress is challenging, and most people that venture down that path can at best approximate its feel and performance. Certainly, it’s unlikely that you’d be able to create an identical bed as most mattress manufacturers have proprietary blends of foams, different sources, etc. but you can get close. I’d keep in mind that very layer and component in a mattress can affect the feel and performance of every other layer and the mattress “as a whole”. All the layers and materials aren’t the same, the design is different for each mattress, and every small and large difference between two mattresses can either have a cumulative effect or an offsetting effect that is very difficult for even a knowledgeable and experienced online manufacturer or retailer to predict how will play out. Most people only pay attention only to the ILD numbers of the foam layers and not to all the other specs or components that can make a significant difference in how a mattress feels and performs for any particular individual … I’d assess this construction with primary care for alignment.

Yes. Finding 1" of any kind of foam (memory, poly, latex) as a consumer can present unique challenges. It is good to take his preferences into consideration, but as he is only 11 and still growing, you also want to be careful about creating a bed that is “too soft” or that he sinks too deeply into. Children require a gentle but firm mattress that offers the proper spinal support and alignment they need as their bodies grow.

You’d be surprised at how quickly children adjust, drop old habits, and create new ones. It is just a matter of managing the transition using the parent’s arsenal of tools and knowing that the change will make all the difference in the long run. The experts you looked at offer great products, but even if you’re looking for products outside of what they can offer, they’re still great resources for assisting you in your DIY build. No need to purchase to pick their expert brains!

If you have additional questions come up in this process, you are welcome to reach out to them, to me, or to others with DIY experience in the forum.

Looking forward to finding out how it all unfolds.

Phoenix

5

I’m the end, we opted to not go the DIY route and got a Novaform Pearl in medium firm from Costco.

The main reason is their return policy is better than all other retailers in case it takes us time to find the right mattress feel for him.

[quote]Most people only pay attention only to the ILD numbers of the foam layers and not to all the other specs or components that can make a significant difference in how a mattress feels and performs for any particular individual
[/quote]

You’re right about ILD and foam density, as I was primarily going by that to generate a mattress. After realizing how little knowledge I truly have, even after researching for hours trying to find the best solution, I realize not going the DIY route is best for everyone and my wallet.

I might try and go that route later if we ever create a guest room. That way I can explore and play around without ruining anyone’s back right away.

6

Hi YSPhotog.

Thanks for the update!

Quite right! :wink: DIY mattresses can be challenging and rewarding, but they definitely require much more research and, often, larger time investments and “tinkering.” You can spend months or even years looking for the perfect layer combination. We recently had someone share their 5 years DIY mattress journey, which you may find interesting to read when you have time.

If a DIY is something you wish to continue exploring here in the forum, we’re always here to answer questions!

And, of course, any time you have mattress related questions of any kind we’re ready and waiting.

Phoenix