Phoenix, Thank You for your good deed 
when I was off track, wayyyy off. It helped to be able to come back to the forum when I was enticed by gimmicks & slick ads & get back on track. I just didn’t know what I didn’t know. I will value the mattress even more remembering how I got it. MU is a terrific resource.
Thank you for your help. I’m not putting together a DIY mattress on my own by shopping around for components because that would be too daunting of a task for me. I already made the decision to purchase from AZ Premium Mattress, so they are the only company I have talked with. For various reasons, I need to finalize my decision this weekend, so I can place my order. I live “in the sticks”, so I don’t have the advantage of trying out a bed in person. I’ve talked with Ken this week, but we only discussed their DIY components. He did not discuss the options that KSueSmith chose, so I wanted to compare notes with her to discern why she went that particular route since our choices are similar, but different.
Hi Marla,
I would keep in mind that one person’s needs or preferences may be very different from another and the same mattress can “feel” and perform very differently for different people but I certainly understand that other people experiences and the reasons behind the choices they made be very useful and helpful.
You can also get some sense of the differences between Dunlop and Talalay in post #7 here which may help you “imagine” which type of latex you may prefer.
You are certainly heading in a very good direction and Arizona Premium has some very high quality and value options available :).
Phoenix
KSueSmith, Thanks so much for your reply. I appreciate it!
I agree that the xx firm core is a superb price, so that part of our mattress has been decided. Now I’m deciding on the other two layers. Ken primarily focused on discussing the blended talalay layers with me, so I wanted to compare notes with you, so I can make the best choice possible.
I think I’ve confirmed that my middle layer will be 3" (28 ILD) blended talalay, but I could also choose 3" Dunlop topper (25 ILD) like you did. Ken mentioned that Dunlop has more of a rubbery smell than the talalay, so perhaps that is why he did not discuss this option with me since he knew I am sensitive to smells.
I always prefer natural over anything synthetic, so after seeing your choices, it made me ponder if I need to reconsider my top two layers. Any thoughts? I don’t know enough about the difference between the two, and quite frankly I don’t have the time or energy to do any more research. We just had a death in the family today, so I am scrambling to make travel arrangements.
Back to my dilemma which is primarily the top layer. If I choose the 2" (22 ILD) blended talalay, I will be stuck with it because it is the only ILD they carry in a 2" topper, so I cannot exchange this layer. That means that the only layer that I can exchange is the 3" (28 ILD) for one of the following:
3" (19 ILD) blended Talalay
3" (28 ILD) blended Talaly
3" (25 ILD) Dunlop
3" All Natural Talalay: plush (20-24 ILD), medium (25-29 ILD), firm (30-34)
So do I spend an extra $113 to buy the 3" (19 ILD) top layer instead of the 2" (22ILD) so I have more exchange options, if needed, even though the 2" layer should work for my sleep profile? I also have shoulder, hip, & back pain, but I’m concerned 19 ILD will be too soft for back sleepers, although you mentioned it will feel “firmer” instead the mattress cover instead of on top of it.
I prefer to get it right, so I don’t have to do any layer exchanges, but since I can’t try out mattresses in person, I need to make sure I have options.
I am liking this idea for the flexibility of mixing up the layers to get your comfort right.
On getting the cover do you just add up your layers to determine depth or should there be a little compression?
So for the original post do you order a 12"
And on the last post if she goes with a 2" topper there is no cover 11"
Please advise.
Hi swrstock,
I would generally use a cover that is the same height as the latex layers although you can also use one a little bit thinner if you want to compress the latex and change the feel of the mattress as well (it would be a little firmer).
The components post here includes the better sources for covers I’m aware of and includes many different options and thicknesses so you can choose the one that you believe would work best for the design goals of your mattress.
Phoenix
I am sorry for your loss & know this can be stressful to do on the best days.
I did need to try a few. If you need more time take it. You could earn a doctorate in mattress making here. Browse & ask questions. What one person chooses another would not. I would not want to order if I did not have the specs of a mattress I liked to refer to.
There are many members here on MU that offer multiple layer switch outs. Flexus Comfort Mattress is a good one to check out.
I am 5’ 5" 120 and my husband is 6’ 1" 200. We both sleep on side and back.
I have ordered and am waiting for the following:
Brooklyn Bedding-
3" talalay/ ILD 36 - King $404 bottom
3" talalay/ ILD 28 - King 404 middle
3" talalay/ ILD 24 - King 404 top
These layers come with a cover on them. I asked for the covers to be left off all of them and for the middle and top layers to not be laminated(making 2 twin XL of each) so that we can switch them independently according to preference. After the 5% discount the total was $1151.40.
Walmart-
Spa Sensations Steel Smart Base Bed Frame - King $89
Ebay-
Luna mattress protector $44.95
Mattresses.net-
Bamboo/ Wool Zippered Mattress Cover - King $299
Complete bed w/foundation $1584.35
Can’t wait to get a good nights sleep! 
@cburgess625 Looks fab. I see you are a girl after my own heart.
I am slow. Just now looking at frames. Maybe the Brooklyn Bedding Genius High Rise $99.00 free shipping. 12 inches storage space underneath.
[quote=“KSueSmith” post=34374]I am sorry for your loss & know this can be stressful to do on the best days…
I think you will worry less about the bed feeling right with a 3" All Natural 20-24ILD, there will be more support for when you are sleeping on your back.[/quote]
Thanks for the condolences. I have been putting off buying a new bed for a year, so it is time to pull the trigger, so hopefully I can get a better night’s sleep. I tend to be over analytical, so I could drag the process out indefinitely. The other incentive is that my family from AZ are coming for Easter, so if I order now, they can bring the bed to me.
Are you saying It might be a better fit for me if I get 3" all natural talalay (20-24) instead of the 2" blended (22 ILD) or the 3" (19 ILD) blended because it would provide a little more firmness in my top layer plus give me more exchange options?
Thanks for the other info.
Hi cburgess625,
Congratulations on your new mattress
It sounds like you made some great choices and I’m looking forward to hearing your feedback about how both of you like it when you’ve received everything and had the chance to sleep on your new sleeping system for a bit.
The only thing I would suggest is that you check under your steel bedframe to check that the mattress isn’t sagging into the gaps between the wires too much (see post #10 here).
Thanks for letting us know what you ended up deciding!
Phoenix
Same thing at Walmart.com is less $$ and they have the brackets to attach head/foot board for $18.50. I did order those, too.
The guys on the online chat at Brooklyn were very helpful and answered all of my questions.
Thanks Phoenix!
I will be keeping an eye on the foundation. If the cover is not tight enough to help prevent the indentations, then I will get a thin layer of foam for extra protection.
I will report on comfort as soon as we give it a good trial period.
Chris
Try Ken first. This number answers after hours at AZ in case you can not reach them. It is Greg who helped me. He said for me to tell my friends. 602-329-1257-Greg.
Cheapest way to remove some risk is to go with original config you worked out with Ken. Probably plenty soft.
Get a 2 inch topper later IF needed. I doubt you would need it. By then you will know which ILD is best.
Free advice from a amateur.
Ask if you can return. I was under the impression they don’t do that. You may be able to arrange something, but please know before you invest. DIY components are personal items & only warranted against defects if I remember correctly.
The first time I called the store, I spoke briefly with Greg, and he told me that DIY components are NOT returnable. Ken told me they ARE returnable if you buy them as part of a complete mattress that includes their mattress cover. They are not returnable if you buy them as separate components without a mattress cover.
The first time I called the store, I spoke briefly with Greg, and he told me that DIY components are NOT returnable. Ken told me they ARE returnable if you buy them as part of a complete mattress that includes their mattress cover. They are not returnable if you buy them as separate components without a mattress cover.
ahhh, good. Less of a risk for me too. My invoice said nonreturnable which concerned me for you. You had that covered.
Good luck.
If you’re looking for pure, natural fabrics, I’d choose organic cotton over bamboo. Specifically, GOTS organic cotton. Bamboo fabric is made with a rayon base and is never 100% bamboo. The GOTS standard requires that 95% of the product be organic and be whatever it states it is, in this case, cotton. The manufacturer and sometimes the purchaser can tell you if that last 5% is still organic cotton or not.
I got that right!! :side: Thanks for posting that. I am giddy & shaky after my DIY. That was supportive information for me.
Phoenix,
Would a 12" latex mattress be ok on a adjustable bed? Or would 9" be a better combination and move better with the adjustable bed?
Thanks
Hi swrstock,
While it’s usually a good idea to confirm it with the retailer or manufacturer of your mattress … a 12" latex mattress would normally be fine with contouring on an adjustable bed.
Phoenix