Just to follow up on this, I called US Box Spring (http://www.usboxspring.com) and they were willing to do a special buildup of their latex mattress foundation in a Full XL size. Thankfully, I won’t need to do a homemade extension!
Mike
Hi Wheetabix,
Just to be clear … I don’t think solid surface platform beds are a “bad” choice necessarily … they just wouldn’t be my first choice unless there was a compelling reason to use them that made any extra risk in terms of ventilation “worth it”.
In my own case for example … I have an adjustable bed which has a solid surface but the tradeoff of having the bed I wanted was worth it to me. It may be the same for you.
If there is a way to use slats in the bed instead of the inserts then I would probably lean in that direction but only if the slats could be added so they were secure and there wasn’t any risk that they would shift or “fall through”.
I don’t know the strength of the midbeam (although I understand from the description that it’s steel) so I would use your best judgement to make sure there was no risk of the center of the bed sagging over time under the weight of the mattress and you because it doesn’t appear to have any support legs in the middle and a queen or king is a wide span and can sag more easily. They would probably have a good idea of its strength.
While beds are not my area of expertise or something I’ve researched much or to anywhere near the degree of mattresses … there are a few slatted platform beds in the first post of this thread that may also be worth looking at as well.
@stuplarosa: That’s great to hear … they are certainly “good people” that go out of their way to be helpful.
Phoenix
ordered a 9" all latex mattress.
curious if either of these two platforms would be good choices?
http://www.costco.com/Plattform-Base™-Queen.product.11765684.html
or
http://www.homeclick.com/sleep-science-ff0320-q-cc-queen-folding-foundation/p-609256.aspx?chnl=productads&ven=google&kw=FF0320-Q-CC&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=609256FF0320-Q-CC&gclid=CLmrn4mk-7YCFUTd4Aod6HUATw
I cant seem to find like anyother platform beds that arent wire, are under 300, and can support alot of weight.
Hi hayden,
I’m not familiar with either of them but they both seem strong enough (although the Sleep Science doesn’t mention a weight rating, I’m assuming it would be similar).
You can read my thoughts on solid surface platforms in post #10 here and I personally would choose one of the slatted wood KD foundations that are similar in price that are listed in the first post of this thread unless there was a specific reason for choosing one of the ones you listed that you decided was worth a some additional risk.
Phoenix
- Can one use the ikea slates over a box spring foundation to get the circulation the latex mattress needs- the store wants to sell me a plywood base to put over what I have. I think I am going with the Chateau at Penny Mustard. 2. I have a queen frame now can that be made smaller to fit a full or do I buy a new one?
Hi ydelle,
If you put slats on a flexible box spring then they would still be subject to the flex of the box spring itself and they may also be subject to shifting and moving under the mattress. The box spring by itself would probably have better ventilation than the box spring with slats on top of it. If your box spring is still in near new condition and has no dips or soft spots (you can test this with your knees or by pushing down very firmly and evenly in every area of the box spring) then it would probably be OK to use (as long as it met the warranty requirements of your mattress manufacturer) but an active box spring may also change how your mattress feels and performs compared to a non flexing foundation.
A plywood sheet would provide a more solid non flexing support system (which may still be subject to some sway) but of course it would also lower the ventilation of the mattress between the plywood and the mattress. You can see some of my thoughts about a solid surface under an all latex mattress in post #10 here.
If you mean a steel frame to support your boxspring then it would depend on the frame. Some of them can be adjusted to different sizes and some can’t.
Phoenix
do any of these foundations fit into a bed frame so the bed isn’t so low -I would like the hight of a normal bed.
thank you
There are also different weight ratings but they all seem to be able to hold lots of weight. There are also some where the king and queen sizes seem to be missing the longitudinal wires in the middle section which wouldn’t offer enough support in this middle area (and which I would avoid). Some examples include …
11 wires in twin size: www.myluxurymattress.com/foundation-bedframe.html
11 wires: www.usa-beds.com/glideaway_space_saver_frame-25958.aspx
10 wires: Amazon.com
7 wires: Zinus 14" Black Metal SmartBase® Tool-Free Assembly Mattress Foundation, Twin - Walmart.com
L & P Out of the box foundation Example: www.amazon.com/Foundation-Durable-Steel-...FLQA/ref=pd_sbs_hg_5
Are you saying to avoid all of these these?
Sorry to ask so many questions but if I am going to spend this amount of money on a mattress I have got to get it right . Saw three fold away frames the Pragma, Sleep master, and structures -what are your thoughts on these. I like the Idea that they are the the same height as my frame and box spring 14" they are all on Amazon
thanks again :huh:
Hi ydelle,
No … I would avoid the ones that are missing the wires in the middle section and I would also be cautious with the ones that have fewer wires (such as 6 or 7 longitudinal wires) depending on the type of base foam was in your mattress and on the importance of saving a small amount in terms of price.
The first post of this thread has my thoughts about the “grid type” foundations in general and my preference for the ones that have more wires and a smaller grid pattern. Overall though the more longitudinal wires there are and the smaller the gaps the more evenly supportive the foundation would be and the less chance that the foam will sink through the gaps over time.
If you have a mattress with a latex base then this would be even more important because of the elasticity of latex. With a polyfoam base layer it would be less of a concern but this would also depend on the elasticity and firmness of the polyfoam. You can read more about this in post #10 here.
Even with a polyfoam base though … I would tend towards a version with more wires and a smaller grid pattern because it is more evenly supportive unless the small difference in price that goes along with higher long term risk was worth it to you. I would also make sure that whatever version you choose meets the criteria of the manufacturers warranty.
Phoenix
Found something interesting on one of the web sites Phoenix had listed. It sells a “bed rug” that is supposed to help with ventilation if you have a solid platform bed, rather than a slatted one.
Another question - is there a difference in the amount of ventilation needed in organic vs not organic mattresses? Looking at this one that got good reviews on Amazon, and is a good price. Not organic for the bulk of the mattress, but a layer with talalay, that helps for adjusting the firmness.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008KQ8YC2/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=APCUWEOU23BHI
Thanks!
Jana
Hi Wheetaqbix,
No … ventilation and temperature and humidity control are completely separate issues from whether a mattress or its materials are organic or not.
There aren’t any organic components or materials in this mattress at all … although Brooklyn Bedding that makes it is a member here and I certainly agree that the mattresses they make are great quality and value. As you mentioned the top comfort layer can be chosen in a range of firmness levels, it can also be spit in a king size with a different comfort choice on each side of the mattress, and it also can be exchanged at a reasonable cost if it’s necessary for a softer or firmer comfort layer after the purchase.
Phoenix
buying a latex mattress is a very expensive proposition. I called penny mustard to see how much their foundation was so I had something to go by. mattress.com had one for 249.00. I am also looking in to a full to see if that would be a cheaper route.
Since memory foam is out because of the heat what other brand would be advised for Fibromyalgia/ Myafasia Pain.
Hi ydelle,
There is often very little difference between a full size latex mattress and a queen because manufacturers often use queen size layers and cut them down to full size.
I would keep in mind that some types of memory foam are cooler than others although as you mentioned as a group they are warmer and more insulating than latex. There are also other factors that contribute to the sleeping temperature of a mattress besides just the foam that is used which you can read in post #2 here.
A mattress is only as good as it’s construction and the materials inside it. Any manufacturer can use any materials they choose to make their mattresses and each person will have their own specific needs and preferences in terms of the type of materials or the design of a mattress that work best for them so good testing and knowing what is in your mattress would be more important than focusing on a specific manufacturer. The materials in the mattress and the design of the mattress is always more important than the brand label on the mattress would have little importance to me.
I would also make sure that you have read post #1 here which has all the basic information, steps, and guidelines you will need to make the best possible choices that fit your specific criteria and circumstances.
The most important things when you have specific health conditions that put you “outside of the normal range” would be to connect and work with the most knowledgeable and experienced local manufacturers or retailers that are fully transparent about what is in their mattresses and to make sure you do some very careful testing that is as objective and specific as possible.
Phoenix
well I found out the foundation for the latex mattress at Penny Mustard is made by flex steel, also True Coil Boxspring, and Semi-Flex Boxspring.
which would be the better?
full 231.00 queen.305.00 or should I get on online pictures below
Hi ydelle,
In most cases … an all latex mattress generally does best with a rigid non flexing slatted foundation with slats that are no more than 3" apart (and preferably less). In some cases thinner latex mattresses are made and designed as part of a “sleep system” and have either a box spring with flexible coil springs or torsion springs (such as the flex steel foundation) or flexible slats underneath them and these can change the feel and performance of the mattress because they add extra “give” under the mattress so if you test a latex mattress on one of these and it works better for you in terms of PPP (Pressure relief, Posture and alignment, and Personal preferences) than the same mattress on a rigid non flexing foundation then I would use the one that that worked best in your mattress testing.
As you can also see in post #10 here … I (along with latex mattress manufacturers I have talked with) also have some hesitations about the long term effects of using a wire grid foundation under an all latex mattress because the wires have less supportive surface area than a slatted foundation and there could be a long term risk of the flexible latex sinking into the gaps in the wire grid or the wires impressing into the latex.
The first post of this foundation thread and post #2 here has more information about box springs and foundations and which types generally do best with different types of mattresses along with some good sources for foundations if you are looking for an alternative to what the manufacturer of your mattress recommends. If you do decide to go in this direction though make sure that the foundation you choose is both suitable for our mattress and meets the warranty criteria of your mattress manufacturer.
Phoenix
so you are saying that the foundation I sent in the attachment would be better ( is this a good brand -or is there a better one) than the one that is sold by Penny Mustard (remember they also said a solid board was good too. I can always order the mattress (it takes 17 days) and then buy the foundation in the mean time. If I got the wood foundation would it make the Chateau too firm. I will write the mattress manufacture to find out and let you know
Hi ydelle,
[quote]so you are saying that the foundation I sent in the attachment would be better ( is this a good brand -or is there a better one) than the one that is sold by Penny Mustard (remember they also said a solid board was good too. I can always order the mattress (it takes 17 days) and then buy the foundation in the mean time. If I got the wood foundation would it make the Chateau too firm. I will write the mattress manufacture to find out and let you know
[/quote]
I really don’t go by brand but by design and materials. As I mentioned in my last reply it would depend on which one worked best for you when you tested the mattress. If you tested the mattress on a firm non flexing foundation then the one that you attached the picture would be comparable in terms of how it felt under your mattress to any other firm non flexing foundation but not comparable to a foundation that had some flex to it.
I don’t know how far apart the slats are in the foundation you linked but if they are 3" or less then it would be fine … as long as it met the warranty criteria for your mattress (some manufacturers insist on buying the matching foundation).
My previous reply went through the pros and cons and my thoughts about of each of the foundation choices you mentioned and how to choose between them and it’s really a matter of which one would be best for you and you are most comfortable buying. All of them would be suitable even though if all other factors were equal (and I had tested the mattress on a firm non flexing foundation) I would personally prefer a suitable slat foundation for an all latex mattress for the reasons I mentioned.
Phoenix
Hi,
I’m planning to buy a latex mattress from an experienced (member of the Underground). Their website says that you can put the new mattress on your existing box spring. The one I have is 10 years old was made very well, is a “short” version about 4-5 inches high, has slats alternating with wires, and has two extra metal horizontal beams with feet from box to floor so there are 6 points of contact/support.
Does this seem adequate?
Many thanks,
Osakamoon
as an up date to the first of the threads— us boxspring has free shipping.