Hi twice,
[quote]While what you are saying makes a lot of sense - I perhaps foolishly got the idea in my head of ordering some foam as a base layer from Foam By Mail, or even finding a local foam shop. I found two local companies that appear to carry the correct foams (will need to call and confirm.). I read this topic and some of the related posts you linked in it. Which leads me down the rabbit hole of other posts linked in those posts.
I’m just entertaining the idea at this point, but sort of wondering if buying a 6" HD36-R foam or 4" HD36-R and 2" LUX-R foam wouldn’t make a good base for now to include with my memory foam topper. I am still reading, and I know it’s risky to do it this way without the specific experience. On the other hand, the cost is both low, and it really appeals to me that I could try various layers as I was able to afford it, making the “perfect” bed over time. I’d be going with a base with a shorter expectancy, but if I truly loved it, could go with a longer lasting base down the road. I’ve got an encasement which will be too big, but can get a properly sized cover once I am happy with the layers.
But I am really just entertaining the idea at this point.[/quote]
If you are considering ordering from Foambymail (AKA FBM or Foam Factory and other names as well) then I would read this post and this post and this topic (about their polyfoam and sources) and this post (presumably from a past employee) before buying anything or considering them as a reliable supplier that provides accurate information about their foam products.
Even though I suspect it will likely take you even deeper into the rabbit hole … 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).
There is also more about primary or “deep” support and secondary or “surface” support and their relationship to firmness and pressure relief and the “roles” of different layers in a mattress in post #2 here and in post #4 here that may also be helpful in clarifying the difference between “support” and “pressure relief” and “feel” that may be useful as well.
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 or blueprint and try and “match” every layer and component in your reference mattress as closely as possible or use a “bottom up” approach (see post #2 here).
I’m looking forward to finding out what you end up deciding.
Since I’m a believer in the KISS principle … In its simplest form choosing the “best possible” mattress for any particular person really comes down to first finding a few knowledgeable and transparent retailers and/or manufacturers that sell the types of mattresses that you are most interested in and that you have confirmed will provide you with the all the information you need about the materials and components inside the mattresses they sell so you will be able to make informed choices and meaningful comparisons between mattresses and then …
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Careful testing (hopefully using the testing guidelines in the tutorial) to make sure that a mattress is a good match for you in terms of “comfort”, firmness, and PPP … and/or that you are comfortable with the options you have available to return, exchange, or “fine tune” the mattress and any costs involved if you can’t test a mattress in person or aren’t confident that your mattress is a suitable choice.
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Checking to make sure that there are no lower quality materials or weak links in the mattress relative to your weight range that could compromise the durability and useful life of the mattress.
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Comparing your finalists for “value” based on #1 and #2 and all the other parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you.
Phoenix