What ILD is memory foam? Trying to replace memory foam layer with comparable latex

[phoenix]

Hi lwhughes,

[quote]20 ILD latex on top. Office manager originally said 28 ILD, but she later confirmed it as 20 so hopefully that is correct.
Memory foam underneath. This is the layer I want to change to 36 ILD latex.[/quote]

Knowing the ILD of latex isn’t important when you are testing mattresses in person because careful and objective testing will tell you much more than any “comfort specs” such as ILD.

She also said that a thin layer of latex versus a thick layer of latex can feel very different. So a 2 inch slab of any ILD would feel much softer than the same ILD as a solid 6" core. Is that true? It seems right to me, but I wanted to confirm with you.

Thickness makes a big difference and it’s effect would depend entirely on what the different thicknesses were on top of. In general a thicker layer will feel softer if it is over something firmer and will feel firmer if it is over something softer (see post #14 here). The thicker the top layer the less the feel and firmness/softness of the layer below it will “come through”. On the floor for example a thicker layer would be much softer than a thinner layer. If the layer underneath is memory foam then all bets are off because it would depend on how much heat is “getting through” to the memory foam, how long you lie on it, and on it’s specific temperature sensitivity and response (each type of memory foam can be different) so there is no way to make meaningful comparisons with a different material that isn’t temperature sensitive outside of “guesswork”.

I originally wanted to semi-clone a Serta iSeries Flattery Plush using latex (and I do understand the degrees to which this is both possible and impossible). So following your previous advice, I asked the factory for a little guidance. They didn’t want to commit to that and said they’ve gotten stuck with the beds when customers didn’t like them. OK, fair enough.

They are taking a very wise approach because there would be too many unknowns and differences between the two mattresses and the comparison would be much too subjective for any manufacturer to easily agree to that (it could result in a return just because the subjective “feel” wasn’t the same) and it would involve a great deal of guesswork and risk on their part. It’s really not possible to “clone” another mattress using different materials (it’s difficult enough if you are using the same materials).

The same office manager who messed up the top layer ILD and possibly mis-quoted the quilting foam, also claimed she couldn’t bring out a slab for us to try or even samples to touch because “that wouldn’t tell us anything.” Of course I know that‘s not entirely true, because I already read a Restopedic review where the customer was able to try the layers. But Restopedic did finally agreed to pull out my layers so I can try them on Saturday. Hopefully I’ll know more then.

I agree with them here to a degree as well because unless your son is carefully testing the same layers in the same design and thickness and with the actual cover you would be using then it may be very misleading as well and they may have been a little “gun shy” when you mentioned you were trying to “clone” another mattress using different materials and if you were testing the mattress by “proxy” (I’m not sure if you or your son was doing the testing).

When you get to try the layers on Saturday I would also be aware that a cover can change how they feel and perform for you but I would make sure your son does some very careful testing (for at least 15 minutes after he has fully relaxed) following the testing guidelines and then factor in the effect of the cover so he (and you) would have a better sense of how it may feel when he sleeps on it. I would also be aware that if it isn’t quite right that any changes to the design you tested can have unpredictable results so you are always “safer” testing a mattress that is exactly the same as the one you end up purchasing and then relying on any exchange or fine tuning options as a backup.

So what is your opinion of my layer design? My son is a 6’2", 200-pound, teenager. He likes plush but firm and has dust allergies.

I’m happy to comment about the quality of the materials but there are too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences involved to make any meaningful comments about the design in terms of PPP. Your son’s own personal testing will always be more accurate than any “theory at a distance” (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here).

The latex is a good quality material and the springs and insulator wouldn’t be a weak link in the mattress but I would want to know the density of the 1.5" polyfoam layer because in combination with the 3/8" layer of quilting foam it would be a little over the guideline I would tend to use for the total amount of “unknown density” polyfoam (“around an inch or so or less”) in the upper layers of a mattress (this would also depend on weight and weight distribution). Once you are closer to the range of about 2" or more of “unknown density” polyfoam it’s a good precaution to know the density although it’s also a little deeper in the mattress (under the pillowtop and quilting layers) so a lower density material would be more durable in this position.

Thanks for listening to my saga. BTW: mattress-only price for the Nature’s Wonder is $842 before tax. No charge to swap the memory foam layer for a second latex layer, which I think is super reasonable. And they agreed to free delivery for a nearby town.

I don’t know the size you are looking at which makes a big difference in the price or whether it includes a foundation but not surprisingly considering you are dealing with Restopedic this appears to be good value for a mattress of this design (assuming that it’s also a good match in terms of PPP which is the most important part of the “value” of a mattress purchase).

So overall … if you have confirmed the density of the 1.5" polyfoam layer and your son can confirm with careful testing (on layers that are either the same or very similar to the “final design”) that the mattress is a good “match” for him then it would seem to me to be a very good choice.

Phoenix