Hi mikey,
Iâll answer your last question first
This is not so much an issue with OMF (who are generally more responsive to warranty claims than larger manufacturers) than it is with every manufacturer that makes a similar style mattress using similar types of foam. They will all have the same problem in a similar amount of time with the same usage so you would be excluding every manufacturer that made a similar mattress. Itâs not about construction quality but about the use of certain foams and certain types of mattress constructions. This is why itâs so important to know the materials in your mattress no matter who makes it. The materials determine the quality of a mattress rather than the label.
Some people will be more affected by foam softening than others so for some this can be a major issue (and they probably shouldnât consider lower density polyfoam pillowtops or similar types of mattresses if foam softening will put them âover the lineâ). There are many factors involved in mattress durability (and many of them are discussed in post #2 here) but in general with polyfoam ⌠the single biggest one is foam density (and as I mentioned OMF uses higher density foams in their mattresses than major manufacturers in similar price ranges).
This is as much about consumer education and knowing what certain materials and types of mattress construction will always do and how suitable it may be for the long term needs and preferences of each individual than it is about the manufacturer themselves. Weight and many other factors will also play a big role in how long any material lasts. Without knowing the materials in your mattress and knowing what to choose that will last you longer ⌠you could end up excluding almost every manufacturer in the country because they all make lower budget mattresses that use less durable (and less costly) materials.
As far as having an inspector come out ⌠I would probably suggest taking a look at and checking the mattress first to see if itâs worth it.
They will look for an impression that is more than 1.5" without any weight on the mattress. If you have been off the mattress for a few hours ⌠then you can run a string along it from edge to edge (or a broom handle or other light straight edge) and then measure the depth of the impression. If itâs more than 1.5" then you may have a claim. If the dips are only noticeable when you are on the mattress (from foam softening but the foam comes back to under the 1.5" exclusion) ⌠then this is not covered under any warranty by any manufacturer.
Second they will check to make sure that the mattress has a suitable foundation under it. An improper foundation can be a cause of damage and sagging and will void the warranty.
Third they will likely check for any evidence of improper use (such as bent innerspring border wires or other faults that could come from jumping on or bending the mattress etc.). This too will generally void a warranty.
They will look for any stains on the mattress. Stains will also usually void a warranty.
If all of this looks like it would be in your favor ⌠then I would initiate a warranty claim.
The Premier super pillowtop[/url] is the second thickest mattress that they make and while thicker mattresses have more material and are also more expensive ⌠when they include thicker layers of polyfoam in the comfort layers they can also be one of the worst choices ⌠depending on the body type and sleeping habits of the person. Unfortunately many consumers have come to equate thickness with quality when quality is more about whether the materials in the in the mattress are appropriate for the style and budget range of the mattress.
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Often this is a matter of someone unknowingly making a mattress choice (with or without âhelpâ) that just isnât suitable for their needs and if they believe itâs the manufacturer rather than the materials and type of mattress ⌠they will usually make the same mistake with another manufacturer. Soft cushy mattresses in lower budgets sell well in a showroom and unless they have materials that are in a higher budget range, they will always soften more than mattresses with thinner layers or that use more costly materials that are less prone to softening. Even today this mattress sells for $739 (mattress only queen without the box spring) and this is not a price range where you will find a two sided mattress with a thick pillowtop that is really durable for many types of people. It would generally pay to use thinner layers of higher quality materials in this price range which will last longer but most consumers donât buy these types of mattresses as much because they donât have the same âshowroom feelâ in the lower budgets. If you take a look at a mattress like this for example ⌠it is a similar thickness, only one sided, and more expensive and would likely develop the same issues even faster because of the thick layers of soft and lower density polyfoam in the mattress.
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This is unfortunately the case with every manufacturer even though the mattress you have would have higher quality foams and better value than the Sealy I linked to.
In general the manufacturer of a mattress will be much more accurate in their recommendations because they know the smaller details of their mattresses and the materials in them, how all the layers interact, and most importantly have a database and experience with many customers with many different body weights and sleeping styles and many of them would be similar to you in terms of needs and preferences.
This is particularly true with better manufacturers and outlets and as you probably know I think very highly of Rocky Mountain Mattress and their knowledge and service which is why they are a member here. Having said that ⌠I would still choose a mattress that had less chance of foam softening or at least was more suitable to each personâs height/weight and sleeping style. donât forget too that a second factor in durability (besides the most important one of foam density) is that softer foams will be less drable than firmer foams all else being equal so leaning towards very soft or plush mattresses that have thicker layers of softer foams means that the durability of the materials becomes especially important. This means I would be looking at memory foam of 5 lbs or higher, the least amount of lower density polyfoam possitle in the upper layers, and even better the use of latex which is a much more durable foam than either polyfoam or memory foam (even though both of these have less and more durable versions).
Having said all that ⌠Iâll be happy to make some more general observations about the materials in each mattress to give you a sense of a few of the many interacting factors that can play a role in the suitability and durability of a mattress. Both of them would have similar âvalueâ even though of course the prices are quite different and the suitability of a particular mattress and how it interacts with each person has little to do with price, quality, or value.
rockymountainmattress.com/tamarack-12-p-36.html 1,523.90$
This has 2" of quilting foam on the top which is a little on the thick side for my personal preferences. I would ask them the density of this foam but in general I tend to prefer quilting polyfoam in amounts s that are less than 2". This type of foam is used to modify the feel of the memory foam below it and to create more surface softness and breathability. In comfort or quilting layers that are 2" or more ⌠itâs important that this is a high quality foam and even then I would consider a model that used less. Quilting a foam will also pre-compress it and reduce the amount of mechanical compression it is subject to so it will be more durable than the same foam layer that wasnât quilted.
Under this is the 3.3" of 4 lb memory foam. 4 lb memory foam has a âfeelâ that many people like and can also be more responsive and more breathable but I would also tend towards 5 lb memory foam if foam softening was an issue or if someoneâs height and weight put them in the larger group. 4 lb memory foam is not as durable as 5 lb memory foam all other things being equal.
Under this is 3" of high quality convoluted polyfoam. It is a high performance foam with higher density which means it would be more durable than the âotherâ polyfoam we have been talking about. Itâs less durable than latex but more durable than most other polyfoams. Convoluting a foam will make it softer than a normal layer and because it will compress more it will also reduce durability. It is also deeper in the mattress which will increase durability because it doesnât take up the strain directly. I would prefer high quality convolute though to conventional âsoftâ polyfoam.
The final two layers are the lumbar foam (a layer in the middle part of the mattress to improve suupport and help prevent the pelvis from sinking in as much) and the base support foam are both very high quality polyfoam and would not be an issue. These are higher quality than you often find in base layers.
Overall ⌠given your history of foam softening ⌠I would be hesitant with this because the foams in the top 5.3" of the mattress are not as durable as they could be and the convoluted foam under them is softer which will allow the upper layers to compress into it more. For many people they would be perfectly suitable âmid rangeâ foams ⌠but for you ⌠they may be too thick and soft and not be durable enough.
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The top 2" are the same quilting foam as I commented on before.
The next 4" is 5 lb memory foam which is more durable than 4 lb foam.
The bottom layer is tri-zoned latex (Dunlop). The zoning means that this wouldnât need the lumbar layer (itâs built in to the layer) and high quality dunlop latex is a very high performing foam and moredurable than either polyfoam or memory foam. This would clearly be a much more durablemattress with only 2" that is likely to soften to any real degree. Thinner layers that soften will affect the overall mattress much less.
I should also mention that they have options that donât have any quilting layers above the memory foam but this comes with itâs own tradeoffs. You would be closer to the memory foam which some people prefer in terms of feel but the quilting foam will modify the slower response of the memory foam and add breathability.
The Sundance for example is the same as the Tamarack except for the quilting foam which is removed.
They also have a completely different line of memory foam mattresses using either 4 or 5 lbs memory foam or a combination of the two (like the Tempurpedic cloud line) ⌠none of which have quilting foam ⌠and which have a unique feature of being able to customize the mattress by re-arranging layers after you have received it.
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This should give you a sense of all the different factors that can be involved in deciding whether a mattress would be suitable for someoneâs needs and preferences and also some of the interacting factors involved in its durability.
It will also hopefully give you a sense of which direction I would be leaning and which of the two choices you mentioned I think would have better value for someone where foam softening and durability was a major factor in their personal âvalue equationâ.
This is also why the knowledge and experience of the manufacturer or person you are dealing with can be invaluable (you donât have to learn everything that is involved in an analysis like this). The more they know both about materials and your specific needs and preferences (such as the importance of durability and foam softening to you) ⌠the more they can help you make the best choice for you.
Phoenix