Hey Phoenix/everyone,
First off, thanks for creating such a thorough and informative website! I found it after an extensive Google search on why the “no-flip” beds that make up most of the stock in mattress chains seem to break down (according to reviews) after such a short period of time, even if the person has a healthy BMI. Then I found a post here where you describe the cheap foam materials that they stitch onto the mattresses, and started my journey into the mattress underground…
I think that I have done enough research on your site to know what sort of mattress I want, what my preferences are, and what my price range is. I just need to find a place to purchase it!
Parameters
Below are the parameters I have chosen through following your guide, along with justifications in parenthesis. If anything seems odd (or if I am overly limiting myself), feel free to let me know.
[table]
[tr][td]Usage: [/td][td]I’d be sleeping in this nightly.[/td][/tr]
[tr][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Size: [/td][td]Queen[/td][/tr]
[tr][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Type: [/td][td]Inner spring (I like the ‘bounciness’, so foam is out)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Mattress Construction: [/td][td]Differential construction (Because it’s easier to ‘get right’)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Coil Type: [/td][td]Offset / Bonnell / Continuous (Since I’m building differential, although I’m guessing I would prefer the offset / Bonnell over the continuous)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Body Type: [/td][td]I’m 5’8" and 150 pounds, so I think I am ‘average’ body weight and shape.[/td][/tr]
[tr][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Comfort Layer: [/td][td]3"-4". I’m primarily a back sleeper, but occasionally I like to sleep on my side. Not sure what material(s) I will use yet; I was considering using memory foam or latex somewhere in there. I currently lack a measuring device for measuring the width difference between my shoulders and midsection. Considering my body type, I believe that this should be enough to fill in any gaps. [/td][/tr]
[tr][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]No-flip or two-side?: [/td][td]Not sure! For differential construction, I believe I can add/replace/modify the comfort layers on my own above a base mattress. If flipping helps the durability of the inner-springs (and isn’t just a method for distributing the wear on the comfort layers), then I guess I would want a two-sided mattress; I’d flip it however frequently is needed and would just move the comfort layers to the new side. When/if the comfort layers wear down, I would replace them.[/td][/tr]
[tr][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Boxspring: [/td][td]No idea if the type of boxspring makes a difference; I imagine they are all fairly similar.[/td][/tr]
[tr][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Expected Lifetime: [/td][td]I would like this mattress to last until I get my doctorate and move away (~5 years).[/td][/tr]
[tr][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Budget: [/td][td]$1000, which should hopefully include the price of the mattress, boxspring, delivery, and the frame. Is this realistic?[/td][/tr]
[/table]
Where To Buy
I’m looking for nearby businesses that sell decent mattresses (outside of the local Sleepy’s store). I live in Amherst, MA. I will accept non-nearby businesses so long as they can affordably ship to me; with a differential construction, I should be able to pick up a core mattress and still end up with a decent result even if I cannot try it out first.
From searching this forum, I found two nearby businesses.
Fly By Night
Website: http://www.flybynight.com
Location: Northampton, MA
Their site only lists a handful of inner-spring models. They have one innerspring mattress listed on their site that may meet my needs.
Buckingham Plush Mattress
http://www.flybynight.com/Buckingham-Plush-Innerspring-Mattress_p_1765.html#
My thoughts:
- It mentions that the coil type is “800 14 1/2 gauge steel coils with steel edge support”. I’m not sure how this translates into the coil types listed on your site.
- They do not specify enough detail on the comfort layers. Polyester fiber + cotton + some type of foam. I have a feeling that this may not be soft enough for my body type.
- I can’t tell if the comfort layers are ‘baked in’, or if I can remove/replace them.
They might probably be able to answer my questions if I call, but I want to see your thoughts.
They also have a cheaper no-flip firm mattress, although I would need to add extra comfort layers. Also, I do not know if the fact that it is ‘no-flip’ means that it will have trouble lasting for 5 years:
http://www.flybynight.com/Aristocrat-Firm-Innerspring-Mattress_p_1764.html#
Yankee Mattress Factory
Website: https://yankeemattressfactory.com/
Location: Springfield, MA, but they have a showroom in nearby Northampton!
Their website isn’t terribly informative (seems like an ‘old school’ business, which is probably good!). I’ll have to contact them sometime.
My Questions to You
Since this is such a long post, I figured I should consolidate my questions to you to make this easier for you and so that I don’t waste your time further!
- Any thoughts on the mattress parameters that I have specified? Any comments/suggestions? Am I overly limiting myself?
- Tell me straight: Am I going to be able to get a mattress/boxspring/frame+delivery that meets my requirements for $1000, or should I heavily adjust my expectations?
- For differential construction, is it typical/expected to purchase the mattress and comfort layers from different businesses? If so, most mattresses already have some limited form of comfort layer built-in; how does that interplay with extra comfort layers, or should I be looking for a mattress that allows me to remove and replace whatever comfort layer is included?
- Any thoughts on the two mattresses I posted from the Fly By Night website?
- Do you know of any other businesses that I should check out?
- Any other thoughts/advice?
Thank you in advance, and thanks again for providing me with the knowledge needed to smartly shop for a decent mattress!