Need advice for my Latex over Foam configuration

[phoenix]

Hi widey,

However, after much research on this site and elsewhere, I’m inclined to to go with the Dixiefoam Dreambed (not the deluxe) and add 2 inches of a dunlop or talalay latex topper.

The rationale for not going with Dixiefoam DreabBed Deluxe is that the comfort layer will age faster than the support layer, and once it degrades, I’ll be compelled to throw away the entire mattress.

With the configuration of latex over foam, I’ll be able to replace out the comfort layer if and when it degrades.

Also, it gives me the added flexibility of swapping out or adding to the comfort layer as my preferences change over time. For example, if my budget allows, I could get a higher quality of latex. I could also add a soft 2 inch memory foam between the PU foam and latex.

This can certainly be a good strategy for the reasons you mentioned as long as you can test the mattress/topper combination in person before a purchase to make sure that it’s a good match for you in terms of PPP. If you can’t test the combination in person then choosing a topper that is suitable for you and the mattress you are using it on can be a little more uncertain and risky (see post #2 here). (NOTE ADDED: They are now a member of this site as well)

Also, about the support layer – what’s the difference between getting a HD Foam 1.9 lbs mattress from www.foamonline.com and the DixieFoam DreabBed? Isn’t it fundamentally the same thing?

Different types of polyfoam have different properties in terms of firmness (ILD/IFD), resilience, compression modulus (the rate that a foam material gets firmer as you compress it more deeply), point elasticity, and density among others. Foam density is the single biggest factor in the durability of a polyfoam material and higher densities are more durable than lower densities. There is more about some of the different types and grades of polyfoam used in comfort layers here and used in support layers here and there are also some foam quality guidelines in post #4 here and more detailed information about the many variables that can affect the durability and useful life of a mattress in post #4 here.

There is also more about the different ways to choose a mattress (online or local) that can help you identify and minimize the risks involved in each of them in post #2 here and there is more about the most important parts of the “value” of a mattress purchase in post #13 here that can help you make more meaningful comparisons between mattresses.

Phoenix