Total newb planning a DIY mattress build and would like your expert advice. Here's the breakdown

Core Layers:
Base Layer: LUX-HQ foam (6")-$212.99
Comfort Layer: Dunlop Latex Foam Topper (3" Medium, 29 ILD)-$306.99
Source: Foambymail.com-Free shipping
Top Comfort Layer:
Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper (2" Soft, GOLS Certified Organic) $235.00
Source: Amazon-Free shipping
Encasement:
Custom Gray and White Striped Cover (72" x 84" x 11")-$74.99
source: Foambymail.com-Free shipping
Questions:

  1. Thoughts on core?
  2. Thoughts on encasement choice
  3. Thoughts on layers
  4. Lay it on me man, I want to know what people think that have been there, done that. Know what I mean?
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Hey there Bed_Dunce,

Welcome to the MattressUnderGround.

I’d be happy to examine each layer of your mattress, but I’d like to understand the reasoning behind your choices. Is this driven purely by cost, a desire for a DIY project, or is it more about finding the right fit, feel, and comfort?

If it’s the latter, it would be helpful if you could provide some details: your height, weight, sleep position, and possibly age. Additionally, providing what you’ve previously slept on that you loved and found comfortable, as well as any mattresses that didn’t work for you, whether due to comfort issues or other factors.

On to the mattress, layers and construction.

The LUX-HQ foam base layer (6 inches) offers a reasonable firm support layer. As a high-density polyurethane foam, 50 ILD, it’s durable and provides a firm foundation, which is excellent for longevity and preventing sagging. This layer will give your mattress a solid, supportive feel but may feel firmer side. If you like a more traditional supportive base with minimal sinking, this is a good choice, though if you prefer a more “sink-in” feel, this may feel a bit too firm.

The Dunlop latex foam topper (3 inches, medium, 29 ILD). Dunlop latex is known for its durability, bounciness, and breathability. The medium firmness (29 ILD) offers a good balance of support without being too hard, which will complement the firm base layer and add a comfortable, slightly responsive feel. If you are someone who prefer a bit more structure in a mattress, it’s a solid pick.

The Pure Green Natural Latex topper (2 inches, soft, GOLS-certified organic) is an ideal choice for adding softness and comfort. This soft latex will help provide a plush feel on top of the firmer layers beneath. The 2-inch thickness will prevent you from sinking too deeply, while still giving you that cloud-like feel on top. This combination of firm support from the Dunlop latex and plush comfort from the soft latex creates a well-balanced feel for those who prefer a mix of pressure relief and support. However, your height and weight, body type and sleep position may play a role in whether the characteristics described apply to you as the sleeper in the same way it might apply to someone 50lbs lighter or heavier.

Tthe layering of these materials seems like you have done some research on your preferred set-up. You’re getting excellent support and durability from the LUX-HQ foam, a comfortable and breathable feel from the latex layers, and a soft, finish on top. This combination should provide a mattress that’s responsive, supportive, and comfortable for a variety of sleeping positions, again depending on body BMI. Users typically appreciate the durability and breathability of latex, and your setup looks like it will offer the right balance of plushness and firmness.

If you prefer a more medium-firm feel with a bit of softness on top, this mattress should be a great fit. The only consideration is the firmness level—if you’re a fan of very soft mattresses, this may feel firmer than expected. At the end of the day, you have created for yourself a comfortable, long-lasting mattress. All subject to your personal body profile.

It would appear that to overall cost of this project is around $830 for a california king. would certainly be priced below most pre-build all latex mattress options, and your set up does allow for modification down the road. The bottom line is how your body profile fits in with your nicely created project.

Good luck on your project.

Maverick

Edit: 60 years old, 6’1 215-250lb male
50%-Side sleeper in the fetal position with pillow between the knees and clutching another pillow. Haha, sounds like a baby, yeah! That’s how I try to sleep.
50%-Back sleeper, sprawled out or sometimes feet elevated.
The wife? 200lbs side sleeper mostly.
What about the zippered encasement? It’s the prison striped looking one @foambymail.com.
Also, thank you for taking your time to chime in, it’s time I pull the trigger and get a bundle together and shipped, setup and done with.

Edit: Would anyone add a top layer for tweaking the overall feel? If so, 1"-2"? Is that crate 1" latex any good for that
It’s cheaper, I think. I’m penny-pinching, I am. No experience feeling or building any mattress. I know how they milk the latex from trees, and how they manufacture latex. But never actually felt what the heck it feels like.

oh boy, well, before you create this and pull the trigger, just go anywhere, and just lie down on a latex mattress. Just to be certain you like the feel.
Honestly at your weight, and a partial back sleeper, you may be a touch too soft. If you did order this project already, you can reverse the medium and soft layers, so the medium is on the top. You may feel that the back sleeping will be more comfortable and you should be fine on the side as well. Your wife will be ok on her side with the medium latex on top.

As far as the cover. It is a 50/50 cotton poly. Poly will add durability, but doesnt wick the moisture away. Poly is plastic, remember. The terry cover is 80/20 and will feel soft and plush on the surface, but could harder to maintain as the fabric can trap dirt, lint, etc and may wear down faster. The 50/50 blend will feel smoother, can resists stains better and can withstand washing, you will get less shrinking, and it wont look as wrinkly.

Personally most folks who get a latex mattress typically prefer organic cotton to allow the latex to breath even better than it does naturally. It also give the mattress a bit of a more luxurious feel, but will be about 3x the cost of the FBM version.

Keep in mind that the cover can have an affect on the firmness of the complete mattress system. A stretch cover will allow the foams to expand and provide a a softer feeling mattress, where a tight quilted cover that does not allow for stretching, will make the same foam mattress system feel a bit firmer.

I’m going to pay the shipping and pay for quality craftsmanship. Quit being a cheapskate. If it wasn’t for that guy over at Arizona mattress, I wouldn’t even know you could DIY at all, not a clue. I did have another motive to use the cheaper encasement from FBM, and it was if I wanted to add layers later down the road, I would lose less than $75.00 if I modified the build later on. AMC Bamboo encasement is it worth the extra dough to get it? I can’t find any custom encasement makers online to compare to.

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Lol, well i wouldn’t say cheapskate. The reality is you’re calling yourself a cheapskate, but the more expensive cover is actually cheaper in the long run because it lasts longer. The higher upfront cost is balanced by its durability, so you’ll end up spending less overall compared to constantly replacing a cheaper option.

So, you are actually just being a more informed buyer. If you need to add a layer you can do it as a topper.

Personally, i like cotton over bamboo.

You said, “If you need to add a layer you can do it as a topper.”
OMG, I wasn’t thinking. Thank you. So simple.

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If you like a very solid base the Lux-HQ at 2850 will definitely fit the bill for that, however I would probably choose to go with 2" of 36 ILD latex and than 2" of the 28/29 ILD and than 2" of 22 ILD. For your side sleeping it would give you a more blended conforming feel. I believe it should provide the support for the back sleeping, while being soft enough for the side sleeping. If you wanted to go to a somewhat thinner mattress you could go down to as thin as a 3" 2850 base foam.
I would say go ahead and see what retailers in your area have to offer, but I just got done spending over 8 hours with a guy and his wife who ended up picking my brain to find out what they wanted only to do what your doing. So go ahead and make your own mattress just don’t waste others time in doing so.

Play nice! This is a forum, not a showroom. This is where folks come to learn, who might not know better and become better educated if they decide to dive into the DIY world.

Wasting others time is probably a better suited proverb for the showroom, where it certainly might apply.

Thanks to all.

Maverick

From bottom-up, 6" Lux HQ foam.
3" Dunlop medium firm.
2" " " “.
Striped encasement.
Components en route. I’ll make adjustments after the wife and I reach a consensus and are in agreement.
What layers would you insert the 2” 28/29 ILD the first go around?
I’m asking because I have a bug in my ear saying btw the foam base and the first Dunlop layer.

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