Hello Phoenix,
I visited the foamorder SF Natural Mattress store two days ago and purchased my first all natural Dunlop latex bed. It was difficult to construct the bed that would suit me best (i.e, thickness, firmness, etc). They offered numerous constructions in numerous sizes. It appears the most popular sizes were 6", 9", 10" and 12" of latex. I chose 9" latex in 3 layers (3"x3"x3"). I spent over 2 hours laying down on various beds with different ILD numbers. There are five different ILD numbers sold: 25, 28, 31, 36 and 45 (soft to hard). I was looking for a softer top and firmer bottom, sinceI thought that such a progression would be good and provide a soft feeling at first, then as you sink in more, the bed would get firmer. However, the salesman explained that while that theory might work for some people, everyone is different, and he said some sales in the store have had firmer top layers and softer bottom layers. But my theory must have some credence as all the store test bed samples seemed to follow it. I liked best a couple of beds that had the following ILD numbers for 3 layers: 25/31/31 and 28/28/31. However, I was not sure which bed was better for me or whether I needed to construct my own combination. In addition to trying the store test beds, I was able to put 3 loose separate layers, one on top of another, on the floor and create any combination, but found that testing 3 loose layers on the floor felt very different than testing a 3-layered combination sealed in a finished test bed.
Trying to get the best PPP seemed hard to decide. After laying on about 8 different combinations for 5-15 mins each, I narrowed it down to the softer ones listed above, and laid on top of them again. I thought that my preferences were only subjective, as all the beds seemed to provide good PPP, so I could not distinguish them objectively. Finally, I decided to construct my own combination, based partly on the fact that I could save a couple of hundred dollars by buying a couple of clearance layers. The ILD numbers I chose for the layers from top to bottom in my mattress are: 25/28/36. I get 90 days to test it at home. I figure if it seems too soft, I can swap the top two layers (28/25/36) or the bottom two layers (25/36/28). I cannot imagine it would feel too hard. If swapping layers do not help me, I have 90 days to order a replacement layer with a different ILD number for a delivery charge (and some more money if I return one of the clearance layers).
I really appreciate all your advice and the advice of others on this blog. Below, I list the prices for the bed along with details on the materials. The total was $1,917 + $168 tax = $2,085. Hopefully, you will think that I made a decent and informed decision?
ank
Item: Clearance item, Queen size 9" x 60" x 80" Deluxe Organic Pillow Top case. Full retail value of $802.05 Returned in new condition after just 1 week. Perfect for any latex mattress and latex foam toppers.
Quantity: 1
Price Ea.: $521.33
Extended: $521.33
Item: Clearance item, Queen Medium (N28) approx 2.8 x 60 x 80 Natural Sense 100% natural latex mattress pad foam topper. Full retail is $411.90 Returned in exceptionally "like new" condition under our Comfort Exchange Policy. Biodegradation is not warranted and only proper cases will slow biodegradation. Natural Sense toppers may have natural flaws that include discoloration, small tears, air pockets and surface texture.
Quantity: 1
Price Ea.: $350.11
Extended: $350.11
Item: Clearance item, Queen Extra-Firm (N36-47.2 lbs.) approx 2.8 x 60 x 80 Natural Sense 100% natural latex mattress pad foam topper. Full retail is $490.44. Returned in new condition under our Comfort Exchange Policy. Biodegradation is not warranted and only proper cases will slow biodegradation. Natural Sense toppers may have natural flaws that include discoloration, small tears, air pockets and surface texture.
Quantity: 1
Price Ea.: $416.79
Extended: $416.79
Item: Solid Natural Sense 100% Natural mattress pad foam topper, Queen size soft (N25) approximately (60x80), 2.8" thick, Soft density
Quantity: 1
Price Ea.: $372.90
Extended: $372.90
Item: Cotton cover, Queen size (60x80), 9" thick
Quantity: 1
Price Ea.: $69.88
Extended: $69.88
Item: Organic Wool Puddle Pad, Queen size (60x81), 1/4" thick (500 g), with elastic straps on all four corners, 9" thick mattress
Quantity: 1
Price Ea.: $186.80
Extended: $186.80
Subtotal: $1917.81
tax: $167.81
TOTAL $2,085.62