So I was dead set on the below blue print for a DIY memory foam mattress but after seeing Talalay Latex thrown around so much I'm wondering if it's any better? Price wise, lasting, cooler, etc     I'm around 6'1 and 160 lbs at the moment naturally skinny frame with a bad back which I believe is due to sleeping on the floor/horrible Target pillows for the last 6 years. I like the plushy/sinking in feel that the Tempurpedic Cloud Supreme has. 

 

Blue Print: 

Bottom Layer: 6inches LuxHQ from foambymail http://www.foamdistributing.com/LHQ_2/lux-hq-foam-mattress.html

Middle Layer: 4inch/4lb  Aerus topper from sleepwarehouse.com http://www.sleepwarehouse.com/aerus4lbmemoryfoammattresstopper.aspx

Top Layer: 4inch/5lb  Sensus topper from sleepwarehouse.com http://www.sleepwarehouse.com/sensus5lbmemoryfoammattresstopper.aspx

My plan is to place them on the floor until I can grab a platform bed frame from craigslist or somewhere for cheap. Now my place gets dusty and has carpet so my thinking is to wrap it in some sort of cover either individually or altogether as to avoid any stains, water damage( I eat and drink in my room and theres a cat living here) etc. The idea is to cover the foam once to protect it then again so that the sheets won't slip off (assuming the base cover is slippery) and then put sheets on that allow a cool and comfortable surface both in the winter and during the summer. 

What do you guy's think? Cheaper way? easier way? Firmer base foam?  (keep in mind my budget is limited and I'd have to buy these pieces one at a time over the course of a couple of months most likely. I'm a college student.)

I like your plan Joel.  I would like to do something similar.  I already have a 3.5" 4lb topper, do you think I could either put it on top or under the 3" 5lb layer?  My husband has lower back problems and prefers a more supportive bed.  Any info you could help me with would be great!  Thanks.

You can honestly put it on top or underneath, depending on what works for you. To be honest, the density in pounds doesn't tell the whole story, a 4 pound foam and a 5 pound foam may have the same ILD/IDF which means they would feel the same, but generally the 5 pound foam is better quality and will last longer. Best way to find out what does or doesn't work for you is to give it a go. If your husband prefers a more supportive bed, he may not like laying on 6+ inches of memory foam. He would probably prefer a firm base with 3 inches of memory foam.

How do you think the Isoform http://www.isoform.com/3inchisoformmemoryfoammattresspad-p-43.html topper compares with the foam by mail one that you have linked? They are similar in price. I can't find the ILD for the isoform. I want whatever is closest to the Tempurpedic ones.

I don't have any first hand experience, but they are both five pound foams and about the same price, so they may very well be very close. You say you want as close to Tempurpedic as possible, but now Tempurpedic is using at least 3 different kinds of memory foam, Tempur, Tempur ES and Tempur HD. I haven't found anything on the ILD/IDF of the last two, but the Sensus and FBM foam matches the regular Tempur memory foam pretty closely.

Hi Joel -

Thanks for the great post!

I'm about to use your suggestions to build a foam mattress.  Just wanted to check if you had any updates or managed to source the top 2" layer?

Kartik

ksundar wrote: