Hi Kevkal,
You will find both local outlets and manufacturers and online outlets and manufacturers that offer split layers with a zip cover that can be re-arranged or exchanged individually and are shipped as individual components that are put together at home as well as mattresses either with or without exchangeable layers or a zip cover that are either sold or shipped as a complete unit. All of these vary from manufacturer to manufacturer whether they are local or online. local purchases though are mostly delivered as a complete unit while online purchases can be either. Online outlets that ship as components usually have a lower shipping cost because they can use UPS rather than truck freight.
The better choices that I’m aware of in the Martinsville, Bridgewater area are in post #7 here.
I think a local purchase is always less “risky” if you have the benefit of working with an outlet that is knowledgeable and also has the quality, service, and value that can help you make your best choices. They would always be my first choice when possible. There comes a point though where if there is too much of a premium involved in a local purchase that it may also be worthwhile considering the extra risk of looking at some of the better online manufacturers. While each person has their own “value equation” as far as all the different important factors that they consider to be part of “value” … when a premium for a local purchase is in the range of about 20% or so for an “apples to apples” comparison then it may be well worthwhile including some of the better online manufacturers or outlets as a possibility in spite of the extra risk. Of course what the premium is or which direction is best will vary widely between different people.
Whether you would feel it would depend on the type of “pieces” you mean or where in the mattress they were located. If there are say 2 or 3 separate layers that are single layers on top of each other enclosed by a cover, then you wouldn’t feel any difference across the surface. If you mean a “side to side” split where each side of the mattress is made differently because of the differing weights, needs and preferences between two people … then you would feel a difference on each side but this is by design. If you used two separate 1/2 layers on top that were the same and it was in latex … then it’s not likely that anyone would feel this because latex is more “sticky” than “slidy” and the quilted cover on top also minimize any realistic possibility of feeling the split. In middle or lower layers … with solid layers over them … you certainly wouldn’t feel these at all.
They ship the individual layers (wither whole or split) that are put together at home. Any one of their layers can be ordered unsplit or split depending on the wishes of their customers. It would be a great idea to call and talk with them. You will learn more in half an hour on the phone with them (and this is true of other online manufacturers as well) than you will over several hours or days on their website.
Phoenix