DIY mattress: Does "tufting" matter? Do I even need a cover?

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Hi all, I just discovered this fabulous idea of DIY’ing my mattress. So cool.

My expectation: coils with 1 or 2 latex layers on top.

I just realized one thing I should ask before I go too far down the rabbit hole: It seems most pre-fabricated mattresses are “tufted” – and I assume my DIY will not be.

How much does tufting matter?

And perhaps an odd-but-related question: Do I even need a cover? Can I simply put a fitted sheet directly over the layers?

Thanks!

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Hey turnstyle,

Thanks for your question :slight_smile: .

[quote]Hi all, I just discovered this fabulous idea of DIY’ing my mattress. So cool.

My expectation: coils with 1 or 2 latex layers on top.

I just realized one thing I should ask before I go too far down the rabbit hole: It seems most pre-fabricated mattresses are “tufted” – and I assume my DIY will not be.[/quote]

One of the desired features of a DIY mattress is the ability to rearrange layers inside a zippered cover to better individualize comfort preferences, as well as replace layers eventually as the mattress wears, increasing the overall life of the mattress. The manufacturing process of tufting to secure the mattress layers therefore would not be used in this case.

That depends on your long-term goals, turnstyle. Tufting a mattress’s layers provides increased stability as it prevents the individual layers from possible shifting inside the cover. You haven’t said what layering construction you’re considering, but if you choose to work with one of the [url= https://mattressunderground.com/the-underground/recommended-by-the-mattress-underground]TMU trusted manufacturers/ retailers[/url], they will help you choose appropriate materials/ layering options to best suit you in terms of comfort, support and durability.

Using a fitted sheet directly over the layers would not provide the correct support for your mattress layers and may decrease performance/ overall durability of your mattress. These zippered, removable covers are designed specifically to suit the needs of DIY components and serve to protect the mattress layers from everyday use, provide stability to the layers, as well as add to the upper comfort layers’ “feel” of either plushness or firmness depending on the materials used in the cover’s quilting layer. You can learn more about the materials and functions of a mattress’s quilting layer in Phoenix’s article, “Putting the Layers Together: Quilting”.

What size mattress are you considering? Other than the coil choice, have you decided whether you’ll go with Dunlop or Talalay latex? Looking forward to your updates and good luck on your DIY journey :wink: .

Thanks,
Sensei

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To explain my current thinking on a DIY, perhaps best to explain how I wound up here…

For nearly 15 years now, I’ve slept on a firm coil mattress. (fwiw, I’m 5’9", 150lb.) I tend to move around a lot, mostly side and back. No pain or anything like that. In looking for a new mattress, I discovered that most people who sleep like I do prefer a softer mattress. I don’t like the “stuck” feeling of memory foam, and I do like the idea of staying cool.

Of mattresses I’ve seen in person, the one I found the most interesting is Saatva’s Latex Hybrid – they say it’s 3" of ILD 22-23 talalay on zoned coils.

And then, reading through endless reviews, I thought maybe I would be better off with Winkbed’s EcoCloud – they say it’s 4" of ILD 14 talalay on zoned coils.

ILD 14 strikes me as very low – but I don’t see people describing it as overly soft – and it doesn’t;'t seem to have the “stuck” feeling.

If I were to order a complete mattress right now, I think I would try the EcoCloud – even though the crazy low ILD gives me pause.

So, with a DIY…

My sense is I would get two 2" talalay layers, with two different ILDs – using options on Arizona’s site, perhaps one “ILD 15-19” and another “ILD 20-24”

It’s tough figuring out all these options!

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Hey turnstyle,

Thanks for your reply :slight_smile: .

From the Saatva site chat, I too see that their Latex Hybrid’s 3" Talalay layer is rated 22-23 ILD, providing a more softer feeling and therefore likely matching your preference for sleeping on a softer comfort layer.

From Winkbed’s site, the EcoCloud features a 4" zoned Talalay comfort layer over a 5 zoned pocket coil support layer, a lively combination of materials. In the ILD range spectrum, 14-17 ILD is considered “Extra soft”; you may find more details regarding ILD ranges reading"The Basic Functions of a Mattress". Even in the softer versions, latex is more durable than any other type of foam and will keep its desirable qualities for longer than other foams and is not nearly as prone to body impressions and premature breakdown. Durability is especially important in the comfort layers of a mattress which are subjected to greater stresses than other deeper layers. What you may find here is a quite “bouncy” pairing of a much softer latex over a pocket coil support layer and perhaps some motion transfer issues.

Thanks for considering one of the TMU Trusted Members for your DIY purchase, turnstyle. You will enjoy working with Arizona Premium, Ken Hightower has a deep understanding of pairing consumers and latex together based on his many years in the mattress manufacturing/ latex component industry. When you can, let us know what layering combinations you decide on and how things go :wink: .

Thanks,
Sensei