Hi leslie7622.
Below are updated specs I could find for Estate 9000 from CPR site
[indent](15" ÂĽ) Estate 9000 ~ Flippable (medium plush/plush)
Cover Zippered Cotton and Wool Quilt
2" Talalay (32 ILD)
2" Talalay (24 ILD)
Support
8" Active Powercore 3 spring unit with zoned support and triple reinforced border. (Gauge and coil count unknown)- Polyfoam border/edge surrounding the coils of 44 IFD of 1.5lbs which is a bit on the lower density side… I would prefer a 1.8)
Additional latex transition layer
Natural latex suspension layer.[/indent]
You can find the specs for the previous years for Estate Powercore 9000 and some comments about it (and Charles P Rogers in general) in post #2.
Your misgivings about the foam edge support are well-founded: A polyfoam “surround” (either with innersprings or with a foam core) can be among the least desirable of these because the material can sometimes either soften too quickly if you sit on it on a regular basis if the foam is lower quality/density (so you will have areas that are softer than the innerspring or foam core) or it can stay firmer and you will be sleeping in a “well” where the foam that you are sleeping on has softened and compressed. It is also a way to reduce the cost of steel or other higher quality materials used in the mattress and replace it with a less costly material that “tells and sells” a good marketing story but leaves out all the potential negative parts of the story. In general terms … edge support systems that rely on steel will be stronger and more durable than edge support systems that rely only on polyfoam. You’d certainly find many spring units with edge support from our members. You can check the coil suppliers’ offerings and perhaps talk with one of our experts that can help you better approximate the feel you are after
See some spring products with a steel perimeter. from Leggett & Platt
• Quantum® Edge Steel Perimeter
• Caliber™ Edge
• Symmetry DuoCoil 5 Zone
I understand why you would be a bit “intimidated” by a DIY process. While it can certainly be a rewarding project it comes with a steep learning curve, trial and error, uncertainties, and even higher costs in some cases. If you are attracted to the idea of designing and building your own DIY mattress out of separate components and a separate cover then the first place I would start is by reading option 3 in post #15 here and the posts it links to (and option #1 and #2 as well) so that you have more realistic expectations… the best approach to a DIY mattress is a “spirit of adventure” where what you learn and the satisfaction that comes from the process itself is more important than any cost savings you may realize (which may or may not happen).
As you know, all three Companies you mentioned are Trusted Members which means that I think very highly of them and have great regard for their expertise, and believe they compete with among the best in the mattress industry. The advantage of taking the expert “route”, or DIY with expert guidance (as opposed to a DIY) is that the mattress experts already know the specs and information that you would otherwise have to learn. This route is much more effective than “becoming” an expert yourself or focusing on more technical details that can become overwhelming.
I look forward to hearing more about what you learn and answering any additional questions.
Phoenix