Hi The_brooke,
[quote]Today I discovered that the density of the memory foam (LBS per cubic foot) does not necessary effect how the foam behaves, or how it feels.
I could have 6 pound memory foam that feels the same as 4 pound memory foam, however the 6 pound foam would last longer.
I was also handed a block of 4 pound open cell memory foam with a blue dye (gel swirl) from vita foam, and an older 5 pound block of regular memory foam (older) from vita. They both felt the same. But I was told that the open cell would dissipate heat better, and maybe would last as long as the 5 pound closed cell foam.
Now I am totally confused.[/quote]
You’re certainly right about this. Density is the single biggest (but not the only) factor in the durability of memory foam (see post #4 here about the different factors that can affect the relative durability and useful life of a mattress) but it has much less to do with the feel and performance of memory foam (see post #9 here and post #8 here).
As the previous links indicated … density is the single biggest factor in durability and how long memory foam will maintain its properties but it’s only part of the picture because no matter how durable a material may be if the mattress that uses it isn’t a suitable “match” for you in terms of PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) and you can sleep comfortably on it then it would have little value to you. Conversely … if a mattress feels great but the materials are low quality and the mattress loses its comfort or support in a year or two because the materials are low quality then it would also have little value to you. All of this and the other factors that may be important to you in a mattress purchase are all part of each person’s personal value equation and the tradeoffs involved with any mattress purchase.
[quote]My options
I can get Vita foam at one local store in a 3 inch layer with either (2.5 lb vitafoam base)
-4 lbs open cell (gel foam)
-5 pounds regular memory foam
- note the beds at this store seem very well though out and designed by a very smart people.
or
I can go to a manufacturer and get 2 or 4 inches of in house memory foam made here (in Ottawa) (any base I want, and soy based)
- 5lbs or 6lbs of a soft (over the phone description) memory foam. I’m not sure if it is open cell or not (from Les Matales Lapensee).
Id really rather get 4 inches,…Is that too much? It is better to stick with Vita foam?
Any advice or a point to some reading material would be greatly appreciated.[/quote]
This would depend entirely on which one your careful and objective testing indicated was the best match for you in terms of PPP. The most important part of the “value” of a mattress purchase is PPP. After that it would depend on whether either one had any “weak links” in the design either because it used lower quality memory foam than the general memory foam guidelines I would suggest or because the density of the memory foam wasn’t suitable for your weight or body type also using the guidelines that are included in links in the tutorial post here.
If you follow the steps in the tutorial post you will have the highest odds of a successful purchase.
Posts #2 and #3 here (in case you haven’t seen them) include the better options and possibilities I’m aware of in the Ottawa area. A forum search on Ottawa (you can just click this) will also bring up some forum posts and topics with more information and feedback about some of the options there as well.
Phoenix