Hi FNS10,
Unfortunately the specs they gave you don’t include the most important parts which is the quality of the materials they use … not just the type. In the case of polyfoam … this is expressed in lbs/cu ft density and is the most important part of what determines a better quality polyfoam.
Kingsdown (or their retailers) is also unlikely to provide this to you and this is the main reason for the first guideline in this article which suggests avoiding major brands completely (at least the ones that won’t provide you with the most important information you need to make meaningful comparisons with other mattresses). This will help you avoid most of the quality and durability issues that are connected with the use of lower quality and durability materials … especially polyfoam.
These kind of mattresses are not much more than marketing machines for lower quality polyurethane that is sold at prices that are difficult to justify.
There are several lists that include the factory direct manufacturers and some of the better retail possibilities that are North (Blakeslee/Scranton, PA), East (Monroe, NJ and Hackettstown, NJ), South (Philadelphia/Wilmington/Trenton), and West (Harrisburg, PA) of you but to save you looking through them here are the ones that are closest to you from all four (in the Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton area).
The factory direct manufacturers that are within about 60 miles or so (there are others a little further away) are …
http://www.shovlinmattress.com/ Fanwood, NJ. Factory direct manufacturer. Ron is the owner here and he is very helpful and knowledgeable. Makes a range of mattresses with various materials including latex and innersprings is well worth a visit or phone call. Also family owned and is a member of this site which means I believe they compete well with the best in the industry.
http://www.magicsleeper.net/ or http://www.mattressandfurniturestore.com/ Pottstown (or Pottsdown), PA. Local factory direct manufacturer that makes a range of good quality and value mattresses including two sided innerspring mattresses and a number of latex and latex hybrid options. Family owned and good people. They also make custom designs and sizes and and they are also a member of this site.
http://sichelsleep.com/index.html Norristown, PA. They have been making mattresses for over 100 years and make a range of two sided mattresses including latex, innersprings, memory foam, and still make old style tufted innerspring and cotton mattresses. I spoke with Red the owner here for several hours and he is knowledgeable and experienced and is fully transparent about the mattresses they make. Would also be well worth a visit.
Directory of Verlo Mattress Locations. Find a Verlo Mattress store in your town. West Chester, Broomall, PA. Regional factory direct manufacturer with a wide range of all types of mattresses . They make a very wide selection. See post #17 here for some feedback about the West Chester store.
Shop Affordable Home Furnishings & Home Goods - IKEA Philadelphia, Conshohocken, PA. Carries an all Dunlop latex mattress and other latex options. See post #3 here.
Some of the retail possibilities closer to you that may have some better quality and value and be worth including in your research and testing (depending on their prices and on their willingness and ability to tell you the materials in their mattresses) include …
http://www.mymountainmattress.com/index.html Bath, PA. Talked with Nick here and he will get any specs that are necessary and that he doesn’t have. Carries Therapedic, Eclipse, and Eastman house. Has some memory foam and sometimes latex on the floor. Good people and knowledgeable about mattresses and the industry.
http://www.theorganicmattressstore.com/contact.html Hellertown, PA. Suite sleep, GreenSleep, WJ Southard, Naturepedic, Private label. These are all high quality mattresses and they have many latex options but they also carry premium prices so make some careful value comparisons here.
http://www.yourorganicbedroom.com/ Doylestown, Paoli, PA. Retailer that carries a range of high quality mattresses including OMI, WJ Southard, Naturepedic, Savvy Rest, SleepTek, White Lotus, and Suite Sleep mattresses. The Savvy Rest is a “choose your own layer” mattress that would be particularly valuable in testing latex layer combinations if you are considering an online purchase even though most of these are also in more premium price ranges.
http://www.martinsfurn.com/mattresses_frame.htm Allentown, PA. Bemco
http://www.mattress-place.com/ Allentown, PA. Spring air (these may not have the specs available in which case I would pass them by)
http://www.heavenlybedrooms.com/ Quakertown, PA. Ecosleep
If I come across any more that may be good local options I’ll add them to the list.
Phoenix