There are two different types of Talalay latex. One is blended talalay and the other is 100% natural Talalay. Both of these are 100% Talalay (which is the process used to make the material not the type of raw latex itself). Having said that I was also told by Peter that he was no longer using Talalay at all and only using Dunlop and yet I have also heard feedback that they have told people that they were. I would hold off on any purchase here until I have had the chance to talk with him to confirm whether he is once again using Talalay in his mattresses because they may be mixing up the two types of latex. The Talalay latex that Sleepcraft is using is 100% natural Talalay (which is rated for softness and firmness from N1 to N5 instead of ILD).
I personally would have no issue with having different layers with different firmness levels of latex in the same mattress because that’s how you can create different designs that can change the balance between the comfort and support of a latex mattress. There are many manufacturers across the country that build multi layer latex mattresses. While many manufacturers also use a single latex layer with a choice of firmness levels with a thin quilting layer on either side … this is certainly not the only effective way to design a latex mattress and there are many people who prefer a mattress with softer layers of latex over a firmer support core or in some cases even several layers. Many manufacturers also use a box spring with a single layer mattress instead of a foundation to create more “give” in the mattress which can also be an effective combination. In the end this boils down to which mattress works best for you.
It’s true that the softer comfort layers will soften or break down more quickly than the deeper support layers that are firmer but this is true of any mattress and it’s just part of how a mattress wears over time. The tradeoff may be a mattress that is more suitable in terms of PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) vs a mattress that lasts a little longer that isn’t as suitable for your specific needs and preferences. It’s like having a choice of sleeping better for a little shorter period of time or sleeping worse for a little longer. Of course if a single layer mattress is perfect for you then it becomes a moot point because there would be no benefit to adding a comfort layer that you didn’t need.
If you are within reasonable driving distance … I would also consider paying a visit to the fourth manufacturer in the Dallas area since you have visited the other three anyway because they are also making some good quality mattresses.
Phoenix,
I appreciate all of the great info and thoughts you provided. I look forward to reading what you learn about The Mattress Factory using Talalay from Peter.
I’m quite impressed by the promptness of your replies, along with the thoroughness. This seems like a pretty well trafficked forum so it has to be difficult to keep up with.
Thanks for your help.
Jeff
Thanks for your write up on your store visits. We are in a similar predicament, latex vs memory foam, and we have been thinking about making the trek over to Fort Worth to look at mattresses. Let us know what you wind up doing.
I talked with Peter today and he confirmed that they are once again supplying Talalay latex for the comfort layers and that their core is Dunlop so the information they are providing is correct
BIG THANKS for following up with Peter and getting that information! I think that is the way we are going to go. I’d like to see if he has options for comfort layer density and whether the cover is quilted to another layer of thin latex(their website reads that way), so I think I’ll give him a call in the next couple of days. Thanks again for your effort. I’m really impressed with your knowledge and helpfulness.
Jeff
Thanks to this thread and reading for few days straight. Going to visit the mattress factory in FW this Saturday. Hopefully they have an experienced person to help get the correct mattress. Thanks for this great forum.
I’m looking forward to the feedback about your experiences from both of you.
It might be worth calling before you go to make sure Peter will be there because based some of the comments here the person that replaces him when he is off isn’t as knowledgeable as he is.
After talking to Peter on the phone (his preferred method) and via email, we decided to order one of his latex mattresses. It has a 6" 100% latex 36 ILD (i think) Dunlop core with 2" 100% latex 28 ILD Talalay comfort layers of both sides. The other option was 36 ILD Talalay comfort layers. When we tried the 28 ILD in the store we liked it but thought we wanted to try something a little softer. They don’t make a softer latex mattress but Peter told me that he could order 19-20 ILD 2" Talalay if we really wanted it. He recommended getting the 28 ILD and trying it for a few weeks and if we still want the softer latex, he will switch it out for us. I sent him an email on Thursday to place the order, he called on Friday(today) to say he was making it that day and it will be delivered tomorrow morning (Saturday). So far dealing with Peter and the Mattress Factory has been great. I hope the actual product continues that. I’ll report back my experiences with it.
I’m very thankful for this website and the work that you do Phoenix. I find myself wanting to get into mattress conversions with friends and coworkers just so I can pass on what I’ve learned and direct them to this site. Thanks again!
Jeff
That would be very firm (probably too firm) for most people and 28 ILD would be much closer to the norm (depending on what was in the quilting in the cover).
I think his advice is probably good if you have tested the combination … especially if you can replace it for softer latex if you need to. You can also add a topper if necessary if you need comfort layers that are just a bit softer or thicker as well.
Thanks for the kind words … and the more people that can learn that there really is a better way to choose a mattress and the less the major manufacturers dominate the industry … the better it will be for consumers in general. You are probably more of an “expert” now than most of the people who sell mattresses in the mainstream industry!
Congratulations on your new mattress … and I’m looking forward to your feedback when you’ve had the chance to sleep on it
After 2 weeks of sleeping on our new latex mattress from The Mattress Factory in Fort Worth, I can say that I am very pleased.
It is quite comfortable. No elaboration here. It’s just feels good.
It doesn’t sleep hot. I don’t notice a difference between the new latex mattress and my old innerspring mattress).
It has a much different feel than our old innerspring, as expected. It isolates motion much better , but doesn’t feel like it hinders movement like memory foam does. I’ve heard/read many times that memory foam makes the non-sleeping mattress activities awkward… Not so for our latex mattress.
The only unresolved issue I have is whether to get a mattress protector. Since I’m so happy with the way it feels without one, I fear a mattress protector will affect the feel negatively.
Overall I’m very pleased. Thanks again to Phoenix and this site for all of the help and advice.
Jeff
Congratulations on your new mattress … I think you made a great choice
A mattress protector is a good idea to protect the mattress from the normal body fluids and oils that we lose each night and from the buildup of dust mites and the possibility of accidents as well. It’s a lot easier to keep your mattress hygienic over the years by washing a mattress protector than cleaning the mattress. There are some mattress protectors that have very little effect on the feel of a mattress.
You can read more about the different types of protectors in post #89 here.
I just began researching mattresses a week ago, and most of what I gathered was directing me towards latex. We are replacing a 20 year old Simmons, and all I knew was that I wanted to avoid the big box stores with their terrible sales and gimmicks! With just a quick google search I found two manufacturers in my town of Fort Worth and made plans to visit The Mattress Factory. I then found your fabulous forum and read up as much as I could and was happy to see this company listed as one of your preferred sellers. I called and spoke to Peter Duncan who was very helpful and answered my few questions. I absolutely wanted only 100% natural latex. My husband and I visited Saturday and talked to a different salesman, who was new, but very friendly. Once we tried the “medium” latex, there was no going back! It is so different from the typical spring type mattress and we ordered that day. It is a queen with the 6" Dunlop core with 2" of Talalay on either side, with foundation. The mattress has just been built (only two days later) and will be delivered on Wednesday! What a fast turnaround!
Your site has been extremely helpful in making me feel good about this purchase. So I was delighted to find this thread tonight (Tuesday) in which you confirmed everything I had heard about The Mattress Factory and that you have ordered from them, out of all the factories in the US! I feel lucky to live only 15 min away, knowing how highly you recommend them. I love purchasing from local companies, and they have been in business for over 100 years! The showroom is non-descript, but I don’t need a lot of salespeople and fancy showrooms, just quality products! And their prices seem so so reasonable compared to what I have seen online.
I am a side-sleeper with neck problems, so I am hoping this will relieve the regular night time aches. And I just ordered two zoned latex pillows from My Organic Sleep. Cannot wait to try those out as well!
So, thank you for your knowledge, time, and tons of information!
I just found your web site this weekend and want to say ‘thank you’ as it kept me from purchasing a Sleep Number mattress. Tomorrow I will be visiting The Mattress Factory in Fort Worth and Sleep Craft in Lewisville to see if a latex bed has the right PPP for me. I appreciate all the knowledge Phoenix and what each of the members share.
Phoenix,
I did purchase a latex bed from The Mattress Factory in Fort Worth. Peter mentioned that in the F.W. store approx 60% of the people purchased the bed with a 28 ILD (medium firmness) and 40% for the 36 ILD (firm). I opted for the 36 ILD.
I have only slept in the bed 4 nights. When I first lay down I do notice a slight cradling around my body (nothing like the cradling from a Tempur foam type bed). Peter mentioned it taking about 2 weeks to get use to the bed. I sense the bed may be a bit too firm however, feel I should give myself more time. I did purchase the 3" cotton cover/topper that gives some softness however, have not used yet because I wanted to try the bed for it’s true merits. If the bed is still to firm is the topper the way to go, or should I be considering the 28 ILD? I have 30 days to try to bed so I don’t want to wait too long to make my decision. Thoughts?
I’m a side sleeper if that makes a difference.
I also purchased the queen, contour foam pillows that those are OK - no neck stiffness.
BTW - my experience at The Mattress Factory was good and I would recommend the store to others.
I don’t know the specifics of your mattress or if the ILD’s you are referring to are for the comfort layers or the support layer (or if your mattress only has a single layer of latex that is the ILD you mentioned) but if you are referring to the firmness of the comfort layers then 36 ILD is firmer than most people would be comfortable with and would be very firm (although this also depends on their sleeping positions, body type, and preferences of course because each person is unique).
I also don’t know the specifics of the topper you purchased or what is inside the 3" so I really don’t have any way of making any meaningful comments about it. Depending on the specifics of your mattress and the topper … it could either “feel” firmer or softer depending on whether it was softer or firmer than the layer below the topper that you would otherwise be sleeping on. The only way to know how the mattress topper combination will feel for you is to try it on your mattress and see whether the combination is better for you in terms of PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) than the mattress by itself. The “true merits” of a sleeping system (vs a mattress which may only be part of a sleeping system) depends on how all the layers and components interact and perform together and there are many people who prefer a mattress/topper combination (that they have tested in person to make sure the combination is a good “match” for their specific needs and preferences) because it gives you the option of changing or replacing just the topper down the road if it softens more quickly than the mattress (which is likely) or if your needs and preferences change without having to replace the entire mattress.
May have a deal with Peter Duncan on their Elegance system, however an old, factory direct firm out of Corpus Christi, people we’ve known for 40 years, who are now in the San Antonio area, is custom building a queen set to our specs. Come next week, if we like it, we can buy it for under $900. If not, Curtis Cantwell says he can sell it, no sweat. Now that’s service! After many conversations with Curtis and Peter, I think they were cut from the same mold. They’re too honest for their own good!
You’re certainly looking at a couple of good options and some “old time” multi generational manufacturers that can both custom build to their customers preferences.
I’m looking forward to finding out what you end up choosing … and it’s great to see you have narrowed things down to a choice between “good and good” and that no matter which direction you end up going that you will have a great quality/value mattress
