First off thanks to all on this board.  I have been looking to purchase a latex bed for quite some time now, and I almost pulled the trigger on a Sealy model that was made of (mostly) latex.  Now that I know a lot more, I am getting really into the details and this forum helps me a lot.

I've been looking at the split layers (one firmness side for each person) and zoned systems (head to toe firmness differences) and I am curious if any of you can share any insight.  My questions are below:

1)  For the different firmness for each person, the latex needs to be split into two pieces - left side and right side.  Are there problems with one edge rubbing up against the other edge and creating a bump in the middle of the bed?  Any other potential issues?  Or does it seem to work without any issues.

2)  Does having three layers (stacked on top of each other) cause any issues as well, such as shifting, rubbing, etc etc?  Does it matter if I have to put the soft side on the bottom (If the exhange period is over and I need a firmer bed for instance)?

3)  Does anyone have any experience with the zones (diffenrent firmness from head to toe) and is it worth it at all?  Meaning is it just another gimmick or does it really make a difference.

4)  Would stacking Dunlop on bottom and Talalay on top help for a larger person because Dunlop is more dense and might prevent bottoming out?  This question is not for me but I maybe recommending latex for somebody.

Any thoughts (regardless of if you have actual experience) would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.  I have alot more questions but I'll post separately.

I talked to Arizona Premium mattress company and they told me their blended latex (not 100% natural) comes from the netherlands, while their 100% all natural talalay comes from Latex International.

My hesitation with Flobeds, arizona, etc  is the idea of buying a bunch of foam layers and having it hold up as a mattress for a long time, just inside a zippered cover. Anyone else concerned about that? Where are you getting yours--Flobeds?

slindenkohl wrote:
slindenkohl said: "My hesitation with Flobeds, arizona, etc  is the idea of buying a bunch of foam layers and having it hold up as a mattress for a long time, just inside a zippered cover."

I'm not sure I understand your question. "Just inside a zippered cover" What do you mean?

All mattresses manufactured are just inside of a cover. All of big S. brands mattresses are just inside a cover. On their innerspring models it's true that they may attach their cheap PU foam to the springs, but it is still, "just inside a cover"

The cover that I have from FloBeds is a top quality cover. I have never seen them, but there have been no reports from other board members regarding the other manufacturers of latex mattresses that their covers do not hold up. It very well could be true that the covers will not last as long as the natural latex, as it is reputed to have anywhere from 20 to 50 year life expectancy.

I just got rid of a soft sided waterbed when I purchased my FloBeds 100% natural latex mattress. I had it for 10 years. The liner had a rip in it, but the main problem was the anti-floatation material in the bladder had broken loose and piled up on one side. But the cover, and it was a zippered top cover, was in great shape. What is wearing out is the mattress topper that I had on the waterbed, that I'm now using on my latex bed.

If I'm understanding your question correctly, you are not understanding how a latex mattress is constructed, and the quality of materials used in it.

Leo3 wrote:  Hi Leo,

Yes, mine is a queen size.  And yes, there are two sides to the bed.  One side is F/XF/XF (currently my side) and the other side is XF/XF/XF (hubby's side).  Yes, a Queen is big enough for each of you to have separate firmnesses.

Further, when I sneak over to hubby's side for cuddling & what not, I don't really feel a significant difference when I "cross the line."  I dont' feel a ridge or separation at all, just a slight firming up of the mattress.

slindenkohl wrote:
That's interesting information!

I don't see the zippered mattress cover as being any different, really, than a completely sealed mattress.  The latex layers are heavy, and "grippy".  They won't move once encased,  in fact if they were not in a cover at all I don't think they'd move either.

Also, latex has a pretty long longevity record - regularly hear reports of people who have had theirs for 20 years or more and still going strong.

My zippered FloBed mattress cover is high quality. It is no different than the covers on the mattresses that are sewed on the edges and not zippered. I love knowing what is inside my mattress and to be able to adjust the layers to my comfort level.

I believe you would find a lot of people on this forum, if they were to buy a big "S" brand innerspring mattress, that they would prefer to have a totally zippered top cover. That way, when the cheap PU foam began to break down, they could simply unzip the top, take out the old broken down foam, and replace it with some decent latex.

These mattress covers utilized by the various online latex mattress manufactures, are of high quality and designed to allow the customer to make the decisions they want about there beds configuration.

There's no way these big "S" mattress companies would add a zipper - You'd be too grossed out by what you find inside.

george wrote:
Agreed.

Hi, thanks for the replies. I really have no idea how they construct traditional mattresses but I imagined everything was somehow sewn together/glued together. Basically I just don't want the cover to get loose and wrinkled under the sheets. I want  it to stay taut. My husband will definately be unhappy about if that happens.

My FloBed zippered mattress cover is tight and there is no wrinkling. When I am making my bed and have the bed bare before I put on the fitted sheet, it looks like a conventional mattress to me.   The original FloBed zippered mattress cover  (May 2007)was not as nice but the new one sent to me a few months later has a piece that went under the area where the zipper was so that the zipper did not catch onto the latex. This new mattress cover that FloBeds has been selling since is so comfortable as well as having a snug fit with a little bit of give.  The first cover has a small defect and when I called I was told to wait until the new covers came out and I finished moving my latex pieces around and then Dave would ship me a new zippered mattress cover.