I’ve read thru the posting on foundations, but I’m still confused. I’m considering buying a mattress from Flobeds, and would like your comments on why I should or shouldn’t purchase one of the following foundations over the others…
FloBeds Fir (5.5 in) ..... 679.00 + 59.00 shipping (Slats are 2.25 inches apart and has a 20 yr warranty)
FloBeds Pine (5.5 in).... 579.00 + 59.00 shipping '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' ''
Mattress.net (8 in) ....... 299.00 + 0 Shipping (Slats are 2.5 inches apart)
Sleepez (8/5.5 in) .... 380.00 + 0 Shipping (Slats are 2.75 inches apart)
Obviously if price where the only criteria FloBeds would be out of the question. Does paying premium really get me a noticeable or functional difference, or would the 299.00 foundation from Mattress.Net be just as good and last just as long. This is for a King bed, and if it matters I’m 290lbs and my wife is 150lbs. I’d appreciate your comments.
Any one of the foundations you listed would be a suitable choice for a latex mattress. The differences between them would be that foundations with narrower gaps (or thicker slats) or that used stronger and “stiffer” wood (see here) would have less flex and would provide a stronger and more supportive surface for your mattress. The differences between stronger wood and narrower gaps would likely be more noticeable for those that are in higher weight ranges.
I guess what I am asking is, would there be any noticeable difference or benefit in going with the FloBeds foundation made out of Fir vs the Mattress.Com foundation made from Spruce (given my weight)? The Mattress.Com foundation is a KD kit and the FloBeds is obviously much better constructed… but is it worth $400 more in the long run?
The “best” and “least risky” foundation would have no flex at all and would be similar to putting your mattress on the floor (outside of the fact that a floor or a solid surface foundation would restrict the airflow under the mattress which would have its own risks … see post #10 here). This would allow the materials in the mattress itself to do all the compressing the way it’s designed to do. If a foundation has more flex in it or if it uses weaker or more flexible wood then it can allow the heavier parts of your body to sink down more deeply which can effect your alignment. It could also develop a sag in the foundation itself if it is being compressed too much on a regular basis. While this isn’t likely to happen to a degree that most people would notice on any of the foundations you are considering … the risks would be higher with higher weight ranges or with people that are more sensitive to smaller differences between two sleeping systems. There is no way to quantify how much of a difference it would make for any specific person over the longer term so it would be a choice that would be based on your “risk tolerance” and “best judgement”. For some people that were more comfortable with lower levels of risk or that were less cost sensitive it would be worth it … and for others it may not be.