Search Results For "talatech"

MequonJim wrote:
Latex International Manufacturer FAQs



It's interesting that I never really came across this during my own mattress project. Zoned dunlop on the bottom seems like a super idea to me, but...

You can build your own mattress out of materials you can buy piecemeal online, but if it's a latex mattress you are after, you won't save any money and you won't get the luxury of swapping out a layer if you find the mattress too firm or too soft. I am a walking example. I was aware of FloBeds and SleepEZ and others, and I thought they were all charging too much. Now I wonder how they charge as little as they do. For what you are getting, the "kit beds" are a bargain.

There is a "Natural Talalay" that is both all natural latex and manufactured with the talalay process. It's confusing, but there is natural latex and latex blend, and then there are two processes, dunlop and talalay. 4 possible combinations of latex content and manufacturing process. One U.S. company, Latex International, manufactures talalay latex, and they offer it...

I have researched 8 other companies (listed in an earlier post) that sell latex, and FoamByMail has the best price along with good selection (1",2",3" in ILD 20 or 32, all standard sizes available). It still bugs me that I don't know who manufactures the latex, but it's of perfectly reasonable quality so I'm trying not to get hung up on it.

In fact, of these 8 companies, only 2 sell Latex International Talatech. One of these has it only in 3" thicknesses and does not have it in king sizes, the other has it in just 2" and 3", and both companies are ridiculously expensive....

Back on topic.

I received my 2" latex topper from FoamByMail today. It arrived as an amazingly small bundle, just 2' long by 16" in diameter, weighing 40.6 lbs according to my bathroom scale. The density calculates to 5.8 lb (per cubic foot).

As expected, this is not Latex International Talatech. I don't know who the manufacturer is, but there is the bottom of a "B" molded into one end. I called Shawn at SleepEZ because I know he carries talalay latex from all three manufacturers. He doesn't ever remember seeing a B molded into the end of a core, so I'm not sure where that leaves me in terms of figuring out who makes it.

The cell structure is very consistant, but is rather coarse in comparison to LI Talatech. The color is close to the same as my Talatech, perhaps just a bit more yellow. My 2" slice (a full 2")...

D3FI, Thanks for letting me know. Maybe I will call Dave and ask for the 1.5" latex topper again to try over a 36 over a 44 over a 44.   Please keep us updated.  I am interested to know your final set up for your latex kit since I also like my bed very firm like you and your wife do.

I like my 1" topper but I can see it is not going to last long since it is so lightweight and already has a few rips in it. I had gotten the topper from Overstock before buying my latex bed. The 2" topper was sent back since I was trying it over three 36 ILD cores and could not imagine anyone sleeping on anything so soft.  I like a little cushion over very firm. Right now  I am sleeping on the 1" latex topper over the 36 ILD over...

Thanks again Hayes for your very helpful info.  Do you think I could go wrong buying a Dunlop mattress?  May I ask where you got your Talatech Cal King?  That is a great price for the Talatech.  I was pretty set on getting a Talatech core, before I came across this Dunlop core at this foam store.  It was so comfy!  Maybe I should go with a Talatech core, and add the 3" topper and padded case from this store. 

Now, trying to compare apples with oranges ~ do you think a 100% natural Dunlop x-firm core might equate in firmness to a Talalay firm core? ...

Today I stopped by a foam store to try out beds.  They don't have layering systems set up.  They sell the 6" cores + toppers.  They had one bed with only one firm core + padded case and it felt pretty good.  I'd say you could definitely go with just one layer, so long as it's the right firmness for you.  The only thing to keep in mind is that it will be just 6 or so inches high - it looks kinda short, but really no shorter than the old conventional mattresses. 

The configuration I really liked was 1 6" core + 1 3" topper + 1 padded case (wool, muslin, cotton).    It was 100% natural dunlop, and a little on the soft side.  So now I'm debating about whether to go with that, or find a similar Talatech combination, which might last longer.  ...

hayes ~ Thank you so much for finally getting to the bottom of the foambymail latex - I mean that it's not Talatech.  Very useful info you've provided. ...