I have been researching DYI Latex mattress options on this forum and I have a few questions before I make any decisions. I am 5’6” and about 158lbs, my husband is 5’7” and about 154lbs. We are both primarily side sleepers, although I’ve recently been forcing myself to sleep on my back because the springs in our current mattress are failing and I wake up with less pain in my left hip/low back area when I sleep on my back. I don’t typically have this type of pain on a regular basis, so I’m fairly certain the failing mattress is my primary problem. I would love to sleep on my side again and be entirely out of pain, so I need a new mattress option.
I am considering a DIY 9” mattress, three layers each of 3” latex. We already own a 3” dunlop medium-firm mattress topper from SleepOnLatex that’s only about 2 months old, and I’m hoping it can be repurposed as the middle layer of a DIY mattress to reduce overall costs. (Let me know if this isn’t a good idea for some reason). The only downside is that it wouldn’t be split down the middle like the other layers, but I’d be ok with that tradeoff if it works.
From reading through the forum, my impression is that we should both be OK with a firm dunlop base and medium dunlop middle layer as the mattress support (this seems to be a standard suggestion for our height/weight class), but I’m struggling to figure out the comfort layer. While I definitely need pressure relief for my hip, we both prefer the feeling of sleeping on top of a mattress rather than sleeping in the mattress. I’ve seen “standard” suggestions to go with a soft talalay comfort layer, but I’m worried it will be too soft (or rather, that it will feel too much like we’re sinking into the mattress). I’m wondering if a soft dunlop layer might have a perceived feel that is firmer than soft talalay, or if medium talalay would be a better option? I’m sure this type of question has been answered somewhere in the forum but I’ve read so many posts I’m starting to lose track!
If it helps you make suggestions, our current mattress setup is the box spring from a 15-year-old pillow top mattress that I performed mattress surgery on because the top foam layer was collapsing. (You can see the post here if interested, but it’s off topic for this question.)
I removed the old pillow top and put on the 3” medium dunlop layer, which felt great for about 6 weeks but now I think the springs are too far gone and no longer doing their job. Despite the problems with the springs, I’m very happy with the feel of sleeping on the medium dunlop layer. It feels like it concours to my body but still keeps me on top of the mattress without being “inside” of it, if that makes sense. I’m just not sure how to tell if it’s providing the proper pressure relief causing part of the problem, or if my hip problem is purely from the old, worn out support springs.
For a DYI latex option, I was considering purchasing the bottom firm layer and the top comfort layer (whatever that ends up being) from the Latex Mattress Factory, partially for budget reasons, but also because the website seems to provide a lot of flexibility in choice. I’d then combine those with the medium layer I already have. I am also open to other options if anyone has suggestions. Thank you!
@DIYMattress
Hi jguneratne and thanks for reaching out on this! Based on the information you’ve provided, I think a soft Talalay top layer will work just fine IF you get a cotton & wool cover like the ones we and Sleep EZ sell. If you end up with a thin stretchier cover without wool, then it sounds like a medium layer would be a better choice. If you’d like, you can order latex samples from our website here - Product Sample Kit – Latex Mattress Factory and use the coupon code Sample at checkout to get them for free.
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Thanks so much for your reply! I just ordered the latex samples, I appreciate the coupon code.
If I end up with a stretch cotton cover, do you recommend the medium in dunlop or talalay? I assume I’ll see the difference when I get the samples, but I’d be interested to know your perspective on how they differ in feel (even if that is somewhat subjective).
Thanks again.
Jenn
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If you get the stretch cover, I think medium Talalay would be a better choice, and I’m happy to explain the differences. It’s not really that Talalay is softer than Dunlop. Most people and companies say Talalay is softer just because that’s an easier way to explain it. You can actually have a soft Dunlop layer that’s softer or firmer than a soft Talalay and a medium Talalay that’s softer or firmer than a medium Dunlop, etc. The real difference comes down to how they react when being compressed. Talalay is bouncier and springier and is generally better at contour and pressure relief on your hips and shoulders. Dunlop is denser and is generally better at support and maintaining proper spinal alignment so our most common configuration is Talalay for the top layer and Dunlop for the bottom 2 layers. We will recommend Talalay for two or more layers for customers that have things like fibromyalgia, shingles, chronic hip pain, chronic shoulder pain, or anything where they’re sensitive to pressure, or for customers that just prefer a bouncier / springier feel. Outside of those circumstances, a combination of Talalay and Dunlop offers the best chance to be successful for the average person. Again, the best way I can summarize the differences would be to say that Talalay is better at pressure relief on your hips and shoulders and Dunlop is better at maintaining proper spinal alignment and avoiding back pain. However, Talalay can also be helpful in avoiding back pain because it provides more of what we call secondary support. Secondary support fills in the gaps between your body and the mattress. For side sleepers, this is normally the area between a person’s ribs and waist. For back sleepers, this is normally the area between the small of your back and the mattress. If these parts or your body aren’t being held up by the mattress, your muscles will work all night to hold those parts of your body up, which can lead to back pain. Aside from that, women tend to be curvier, especially around their hips, and having a top layer of Talalay can help avoid hip pain and keep the mattress from pushing their hips up, which can also lead to back pain. As such, most of our customers definitely benefit from having one layer of Talalay on top, and Dunlop for the rest of the mattress, but it’s completely up to you what you would like to order.
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Thanks for all of this information! The explanation definitely rings a bell from other posts I’ve read here, I’m just having trouble keeping track of everything. I appreciate you recapping those differences, and we will think about which way to go in terms of soft with quilted cover vs medium with stretch cover.
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If it helps you at all, I have an organic mattress from sleepeEZ. Full latex with firm (d) medium (d) support layers and medium (t) comfort layers, all 3". 1" cotton cover with wool. I’m 195 lbs at 5’9" and a side sleeper with a bad back and a bionic shoulder. My wife’s side has the soft (t) comfort layer. I’ve slept on both sides very easily and comfortably, you just sink in slightly more (and you don’t really “sink” you still kind of “float”) on the soft but that’s for me at 195lbs, its probably the perfect support for you at 160 ish. I originally bought a tempurpedic luxe and Stearns and foster estate - both too hot and cost way too much cause marketing… Very happy with my latex bed for 1/3 of the price. Sleep less hot and much more supported. I’m now convinced that customisable latex is the way. I shouldn’t ever have to buy another bed just a new layer once it breaks down!
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This is very helpful, thank you! I’m waiting for my foam samples to arrive before I purchase anything but I’m forming a pretty good picture of what I’ll order in the near future!
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Hi again, I’m getting ready to place an order. Is there an option to split the layers down the center of the mattress? I thought I read somewhere that there is but I can’t find the information on the website. Thanks!
@Latex_Mattress_Fact1
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You can just request that in the comments section at checkout. When you add an item to your cart, there will be a popup on the right side of the screen that has a link that says “Add order note.”
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