My current DIY Queen Mattress is as follows, from top layer to bottom. I am 5’9" and about 190lbs.
Back and side sleeper. Long term back pain sufferer.
3 inch Tempur-pedic Memory foam topper, one of the fairly heavy dense ones. 4.25lb density. This is only a few months old.
3 inch Pure green Latex topper in soft from Amazon, this is 5 years old, in reasonably good shape. Believe the ILD is about 19 or 20. This is a transition layer.
6 inches of HD36 HQ Foam 2.8lb density, ILD 35. From Foam Factory. Five years old, and definitely pretty soft at this point. Probably time to replace.
My main issue is I wake up achy almost every day. Although the top memory foam layer feels pretty supportive, the layers underneath don’t give enough support, and I think my low back sags a bit.
Considering the following options:
Replace the lower 6 inch support layer with pocket coil spring layer, 6" or 8". Is 8" better?
Replace the lower 6 inch support layer with a good quality HD36 ILD 30-40 foam, from a different vendor. Perhaps this: https://diymattress.net/products/foam-base-core-certipur-us?variant=30901531724one. Are there other vendors to check out? The ILD of 31 seems a bit soft.
Replace the lower 6 inch support layer with a six inch layer of latex which I know would be pricey, but last forever. Not sure what firmness latex to use though.
Open to suggestions, as I’d like to wake up not in pain.
Which option would be best for support and longevity? Tired of replacing components every few years.
6" of memory foam and latex might be your problem? A softening base just adds to it.
Generally 6" springs will be firmer than 8" b/c theu have less travel and firm up and they compress. Either works but how much material goes on top will vary.
Latex: shot in the dark.but
6" 32 ild core with 3-4" of something softer on top.
3"36ild, 3"32ild, again 3-4" of something softer on top.
Hi androiddd.
[quote]
My main issue is I wake up achy almost every day. Although the top memory foam layer feels pretty supportive, the layers underneath don’t give enough support, and I think my low back sags a bit. [/QUOTE]
My guess is that you have too thick of a comfort layer which causes you to sink in too far with your heavier parts and causes the sagging and throwing your spinal alignment off. The 3" of memory foam with the added 3" of soft latex creates a 6" soft layer that can cause alignment issues, especially when sleeping on your back. Back sleepers need a firmer and more supportive sleeping surface.
Memory Foam is not meant to be “supportive” memory foam. While it’s true that some will hold up more weight than others or are “relatively firmer” … none of them are supportive enough to be used even as secondary support in the comfort layer as latex can be used. When talking about memory foam … words like “supportive” really mean degrees of softness. Memory foam is a pressure-relieving comfort material not a support material. The support layers underneath the memory foam are the supportive part of the mattress.
The 6" HD Polyurethane at 2.8 lbs/cuft after 5 years may still be in good condition so it’s worth checking on that. I’d first do some testing so that you don’t solve the wrong problem. Did you sleep on the PU with the Latex on top to check if you are still experiencing alignment and sagging issues?
If you didn’t do so and If you can bear to sleep on your back on the PU slab alone I’d test that too as this will give you a few more data points as to what’s going on before you launch into purchasing something that may not work in combination with your current two layers above. I’d definitely check each individual layer for integrity by sleeping/lying on each. Usually, a visual inspection is not enough to assess if you are dealing with foam breakdown which is a softening in specific areas, which I term a “phantom” or “virtual” body impression.
Lantern71 advice still stands if you checked and everything checks out and if you wish to replace the base layer with the pocket coil.
Let us know what you find.
Phoenix