HELP - Anything availabe that is slightly firmer than the Morgongava?

[phoenix]

Hi bryan_p,

After reading this post, though, I am thoroughly confused. I was planning on building a mattress with a 3" Dunlop comfort layer with an ild of 20 which is the softest latex I could find. You say that ikea uses foam with a C3 firmness which is about 21 ild. Am I making a mistake? Will I end up with a mattress which is still too firm?

ILD ratings are not always consistent between companies or between different types and blends of latex (see post #6 here). In the case of Mountaintop, their 25% ILD range is lower than other Dunlop manufacturers and the bottom half of their 40% ILD range may be a little more comparable (see post #8 here).

I would also keep in mind that ILD is also only one of several specs that makes one material feel softer or firmer than another (see post #4 here) and different layers either on top or below another layer can also have a significant effect on how it feels so putting too much focus on ILD alone can often be more misleading than helpful.

If you are attracted to the idea of designing and building your own DIY mattress out of separate components and a separate cover then the first place I would start is by reading option 3 in post #15 here and the posts it links to (and option #1 and #2 as well) so that you have more realistic expectations and that you are comfortable with the learning curve, uncertainty, trial and error, or in some cases the higher costs that may be involved in the DIY process. While it can certainly be a rewarding project … the best approach to a DIY mattress is a “spirit of adventure” where what you learn and the satisfaction that comes from the process itself is more important than any cost savings you may realize (which may or may not happen).

If you decide to take on the challenge then I would either use the specs (if they are available) of a mattress that you have tested and confirmed is a good match for you in terms of PPP as a reference point (the same type and blend of latex in the same thickness and firmness levels and a very similar cover which can also make a significant difference to the feel and performance of a mattress) or use a “bottom up” approach (see post #2 here).

There’s nowhere in the Ottawa area where we can go and just lay on some foam.

The better options or possibilities I’m aware of in the Ottawa area (subject to the quality/value guidelines here) are listed in posts #2 and #3 here.

Some of the better online options I’m aware of that ship across Canada are also listed in post #21 here.

Phoenix