Diy latex mattress build- layer size, mattress cover, and build options

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Hello,

My partner and I are doing a DIY latex build. We have decided to purchase one twin XL from either latex mattress factory or sleep ez, and then both take turns sleeping on it to see if we want to buy another one of the same build. I’ve learned so much from this forum and I wanted to post before we buy to see if anyone has any last minute advice.

I am a 160 lbs, 5’8" side and stomach sleeper and he is a 170 lbs, 5’10" back, stomach and side sleeper.

We both loved a Greensleeves mattress we tried at the Natural Sleep Store in Denver. It’s laters were

Dunlop 2" soft
4" firm
2"firm.

This is the build we’ve decided on for at least one of the sides (if we both love it as is we’ll order another one soon)

2" soft
3" firm Dunlop
3" firm Dunlop

I’m having trouble finding four inch layers. Is there much of a difference in feel between a support layer that’s 3 and 3 inches vs one that’s 2 and 4 inches?

I’m also curious to try this build for myself

2" soft Talalay
3" firm Dunlop
3" extra firm Dunlop

Would you recommend just sending it and getting both of these builds and mixing and matching? Or just getting the all Dunlop one and trying it for a bit and if I like it get another? I’m pretty confident I’ll like the all Dunlop build, but part of me wonders if the extra firm base and a Talalay comfort layer would be better. Any thoughts on this?

We’d obviously like to get it right the first time, but would have room in our budget if we need to replace up to two layers.

We also would love recommendations on mattress protectors. Our requirements for a mattress protector:

Natural materials

Very breathable (willing to sacrifice water resistants)

Washable

Will protect the mattress from sweat stains

Will protect the mattress from small spills if cleaned up immediately

Doesn’t change the feel of the mattress too much

Thank you,

Natalie

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Hi ncdaly26 and thanks for reaching out on this! There’s no difference in feel between two 3" firm layers versus a 2" firm and 4" firm layer, so no worries there! Even if you laid on the all-Dunlop mattress in the store and liked it, there’s a chance it doesn’t work as well once you spend a full night sleeping on it. I’ve included some information on the differences between Talalay and Dunlop just below, and this should help you make a more informed decision on this. In short, I recommend 2" soft Talalay for the top layer, though.

There is a noticeable difference between Talalay and Dunlop, and it’s not really that Talalay is softer than Dunlop. Most people and companies say Talalay is softer just because that’s an easier way to explain it. You can actually have a soft Dunlop layer that’s softer or firmer than a soft Talalay and a medium Talalay that’s softer or firmer than a medium Dunlop, etc. The real difference comes down to how they react when being compressed. Talalay is bouncier and springier and is generally better at contour and pressure relief on your hips and shoulders. Dunlop is denser and is generally better at support and maintaining proper spinal alignment so our most common configuration is Talalay for the top layer and Dunlop for the bottom 2 layers. We will recommend Talalay for two or more layers for customers that have things like fibromyalgia, shingles, chronic hip pain, chronic shoulder pain, or anything where they’re sensitive to pressure, or for customers that just prefer a bouncier / springier feel. Outside of those circumstances, a combination of Talalay and Dunlop offers the best chance to be successful for the average person. Again, the best way I can summarize the differences would be to say that Talalay is better at pressure relief on your hips and shoulders and Dunlop is better at maintaining proper spinal alignment and avoiding back pain. However, Talalay can also be helpful in avoiding back pain because it provides more of what we call secondary support. Secondary support fills in the gaps between your body and the mattress. For side sleepers, this is normally the area between a person’s ribs and waist. For back sleepers, this is normally the area between the small of your back and the mattress. If these parts or your body aren’t being held up by the mattress, your muscles will work all night to hold those parts of your body up, which can lead to back pain. Aside from that, women tend to be curvier, especially around their hips, and having a top layer of Talalay can help avoid hip pain and keep the mattress from pushing their hips up, which can also lead to back pain. As such, most of our customers definitely benefit from having one layer of Talalay on top, and Dunlop for the rest of the mattress, but it’s completely up to you what you would like to order.

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Thank you for all this info, it’s really helpful. I think we’re leaning towards talalay. Also, I noticed there’s a sale on latex layers that ends tommorow. We were thinking about just getting one twin XL and trying it for a bit before we buy the other half. Is it likely that there is a black Friday sale that is as good as this one? (40 percent off.)

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I’m not sure what the Black Friday deal will be, but a couple of things to keep in mind - we’ll honor any current sale price for up to 7 days so no need to rush. Also, we will actually price match ourselves for up to 6 months so if you order with us and the price drops within 6 months just contact us and we’ll refund the price difference back to you.