Mattress search near Pittsburgh

[phoenix]

Hi toddp1616,

Since it has a poly foam core and not 100% latex, are there any chemicals used with that and will we experience any smells? The nice thing is it’s a 2-sided mattress so hopefully it will last a little longer.

Yes … polyfoam and memory foam is made from chemicals (mostly a polyol and an isocyanate) but most people are fine with them if they are manufactured in the US or are CertiPur certified. All new mattresses that have foam in them (memory foam, polyfoam, latex foam) will have some initial odor or smell when they are new but that will usually dissipate to levels below detection in a few days to a few weeks.

The topper is 40% Talalay latex and 60% synthetic.

It would actually be 100% talalay (Talalay is one of two main processes used to make latex and it’s either Talalay or it’s not). Both of the major manufacturers of Talalay latex make a blend that is about 30% natural rubber and 70% synthetic rubber.

are the blends still hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant?

Hypoallergenic has very little meaning when it comes to mattresses and it has no specific definition but most foams would be “hypoallergenic” unless you had a sensitivity or allergy to one of the ingredients in the foam. You can read more about dust mites and latex in post #2 here but both blended and 100% natural Talalay would be resistant to dust mites because both of them ventilate very well.

Would a 100% latex bed sleep cooler than this one? The cover is a heavy weight knit cover. I’ve seen many others that have natural wool under a bamboo cover. Are there much difference with quality and temperature with these?

It would depend on the specifics of each mattress and the cover and quilting, your mattress protector, sheets, and bedding. While there isn’t any standard that objectively measures the sleeping temperature of mattresses relative to different people (some people sleep like an oven and some sleep more like an iceberg) … post #2 here has more information about the different factors that can affect sleeping temperature that can help you compare mattresses. Wool is among the best temperature regulators and would be more effective than other types of quilting materials.

The price for King mattress only is $1,799, then add $300 for boxspring. I was looking at some sites that I’d have to have delivered and not get to try (Brooklyn bedding, Dreamfoam , AZ mattress). Would I get better quality for less from one of these online direct? The Dreamfoam specs seem very comparable for almost 1/2 the price, plus we can change out the top layer if not right firmness. The 100% latex at dreamfoam is about same cost as OMF.

The most important part of the value of a mattress purchase (which is what you are really asking) depends first of all on which one is the best match for you in terms of PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences). If a mattress isn’t a good match for you and you don’t sleep well on it then it would have little value to you regardless of the quality of the materials.

The next most important part of the “value” of a mattress purchase is the quality of the materials and how long you will sleep well on it relative to the price you paid. If a relatively expensive mattress only lasts a few months or years before it loses its comfort and support and you cross the fuzzy line where you begin to “tolerate” it more than sleep well on it then it would also have little value to you. None of the mattresses you are mentioning have any weak links in terms of durability. Post #2 here also has some thoughts about the Serenity vs an all latex mattress.

After durability … the “value” of a mattress purchase depends on all the other parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you and how they compare to your other finalists.

The goal is to eliminate all the worst choices and then narrow down your choices to two or three specific “finalists” that are between “good and good” and then you can make a final choice based on the criteria that are important to you. I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to include the Serenity as one of my finalists if it was a suitable choice in terms of PPP.

Phoenix