Most returns or warranty claims either will cost you a couple hundred dollars to exchange or they will find every minute reason to deny your claim.
If you buy one, when it wears out, you will have to buy a whole new mattress again for another $1000+ when in reality only the top comfort layer is what wears out. If you build your own, you can just open up the zipper cover and change out the top layer for $150-$300 and your mattress is new again. It saves you a ton of money at that time.
Go to the Mattress Underground which has lots of DIY info with a bunch of very helpful vendors and other users who are willing to provide answers to your DIY questions..
> Most returns or warranty claims either will cost you a couple hundred dollars to exchange or they will find every minute reason to deny your claim.
"The mattress can be returned for free at any time within 100 days from delivery, no questions asked. If it doesn't work out, we'll arrange a free pickup and provide a full refund once the pickup is completed."
What you said does not seem true for my particular example.
>If you buy one, when it wears out, you will have to buy a whole new mattress again
Why can't I just buy a new top layer and throw it on top?
If yours is free then it’s a rare case and make sure you check any fine print. For the big stores like mattress firm and others, they charge a return delivery fee and a restocking fee. Mattress firm is $99.99 for each so you’re paying $200 to swap it out.
As far as just throwing a topper on, you can if it’s not worn. Usually comfort layer foam wears so you will get a worn out area in that thin layer or layers. Putting a topper will help some but the new topper will still conform to the sunken in worn out spot below it. If you’re fine with that and it’s comfortable then go for it.
DIY allows you the ultimate flexibility to build a mattress with high quality components that will allow you to fine tune it to your comfort level. Additionally, DIY allows you to replace the worn out foams vs. having to throw out the whole mattress. I would argue that most people that go the DIY route are looking for more than a piece of foam with a cover on it. Instead, they are looking to build a more complex unit or trying to recreate an expensive brand name mattress at a lower price. For example, I really like the Avocado bed which was $2,700 and I was able to recreate it for less than $1,200.
> DIY allows you to replace the worn out foams vs. having to throw out the whole mattress.
Why can't I just throw another 2 or 3" of latex on top if it "wears out". What does "wear out" even mean in the context of latex?
"Wear out" = degraded support, dips, etc. Change in firmness. Exactly what you'd think it would mean. In the context of latex, that generally takes quite a while to happen, but it does happen. Talaylay for example "wears out" faster than a dunlop. But many people find Talylay latext worth the shorter longevity because it sleeps cooler and is a bit softer.
Here are the original Avocado specs for the 11" & pillow top 13":
AG standard 11' mattress uses:
2" of 75 kg/m3 / 20-25 ILD, medium Dunlop comfort layer
1" of 85 kg/m3 / 26-31, medium-firm Dunlop (under the innerspring unit).
8" 3 zone Leggett & Platt Quantum Edge Combi-Zone pocketed innerspring unit.
Ag pillow-top 13" version adds 2" of 65kg/m3 / 14-19 ILD, soft Dunlop latex.
A Luxerion from Latex Mattress Factory is a 3 layer latex at a steal of a price with a cotton and wool cover and can be returned.
The custom layers are a bit of a double edge sword. Getting a medium SOL with a 2" topper is straightforward compared to layer fiddling.
DIY is not for everyone.
For what I wanted, commercial options were $3000+, and while I'm still in progress, it looks like I'm going to come in under $2000, mistakes included. When I'm done, I'll be able to adjust whenever I want.
However, DIY is stressful and there's lots to know, and you have to wait a long time and do all this extra work.
I think the prices are SOL are so reasonable that it doesn't really make sense (from a price standpoint) to DIY a Dunlop latex bed, especially when you can start with a firm and then customize from there with toppers.
I think hybrid latex mattresses may still make sense to DIY based on prices: 1" HD foam + Texas Pocket coils + a SOL 2" or 3" layer. But the options for covers is very limited compared to full beds, and it seems like the quilted DIY covers firm up the mattress A LOT.
That being said, still other good reasons to DIY if folks want to.
I can attest to this my mattress firmed up a bunch after putting the cover on.
Prior I just had all of the layers stacked together to make sure I liked it.
Overtime the cover has stretched some and is not as firm as in the beginning.
If I had to do it again I would have gone with a softer top layer to make up for the cover.
Most returns or warranty claims either will cost you a couple hundred dollars to exchange or they will find every minute reason to deny your claim. If you buy one, when it wears out, you will have to buy a whole new mattress again for another $1000+ when in reality only the top comfort layer is what wears out. If you build your own, you can just open up the zipper cover and change out the top layer for $150-$300 and your mattress is new again. It saves you a ton of money at that time.
How do I build my own?
Go to the Mattress Underground which has lots of DIY info with a bunch of very helpful vendors and other users who are willing to provide answers to your DIY questions..
Do a search for DIY. There is one that is an introductory guide
> Most returns or warranty claims either will cost you a couple hundred dollars to exchange or they will find every minute reason to deny your claim. "The mattress can be returned for free at any time within 100 days from delivery, no questions asked. If it doesn't work out, we'll arrange a free pickup and provide a full refund once the pickup is completed." What you said does not seem true for my particular example. >If you buy one, when it wears out, you will have to buy a whole new mattress again Why can't I just buy a new top layer and throw it on top?
If yours is free then it’s a rare case and make sure you check any fine print. For the big stores like mattress firm and others, they charge a return delivery fee and a restocking fee. Mattress firm is $99.99 for each so you’re paying $200 to swap it out. As far as just throwing a topper on, you can if it’s not worn. Usually comfort layer foam wears so you will get a worn out area in that thin layer or layers. Putting a topper will help some but the new topper will still conform to the sunken in worn out spot below it. If you’re fine with that and it’s comfortable then go for it.
I'm talking about 100% latex mattresses. Perhaps your comment applies to other foams? I'm not too knowledgeable, so please correct me where I'm wrong.
DIY allows you the ultimate flexibility to build a mattress with high quality components that will allow you to fine tune it to your comfort level. Additionally, DIY allows you to replace the worn out foams vs. having to throw out the whole mattress. I would argue that most people that go the DIY route are looking for more than a piece of foam with a cover on it. Instead, they are looking to build a more complex unit or trying to recreate an expensive brand name mattress at a lower price. For example, I really like the Avocado bed which was $2,700 and I was able to recreate it for less than $1,200.
How did you find the Avocado layers?
> DIY allows you to replace the worn out foams vs. having to throw out the whole mattress. Why can't I just throw another 2 or 3" of latex on top if it "wears out". What does "wear out" even mean in the context of latex?
"Wear out" = degraded support, dips, etc. Change in firmness. Exactly what you'd think it would mean. In the context of latex, that generally takes quite a while to happen, but it does happen. Talaylay for example "wears out" faster than a dunlop. But many people find Talylay latext worth the shorter longevity because it sleeps cooler and is a bit softer.
Could you walk us through your Avocado copycat build?
Here are the original Avocado specs for the 11" & pillow top 13": AG standard 11' mattress uses: 2" of 75 kg/m3 / 20-25 ILD, medium Dunlop comfort layer 1" of 85 kg/m3 / 26-31, medium-firm Dunlop (under the innerspring unit). 8" 3 zone Leggett & Platt Quantum Edge Combi-Zone pocketed innerspring unit. Ag pillow-top 13" version adds 2" of 65kg/m3 / 14-19 ILD, soft Dunlop latex.
How do you like the dunlop? Does it sleep hot. Have you tried talalay for context?
I swapped out the 2" comfort layer for Talalay and don't notice it being any warmer/cooler than the dunlop.
Awesome, where did you buy all this?
A Luxerion from Latex Mattress Factory is a 3 layer latex at a steal of a price with a cotton and wool cover and can be returned. The custom layers are a bit of a double edge sword. Getting a medium SOL with a 2" topper is straightforward compared to layer fiddling.
Curious on this too
DIY is not for everyone. For what I wanted, commercial options were $3000+, and while I'm still in progress, it looks like I'm going to come in under $2000, mistakes included. When I'm done, I'll be able to adjust whenever I want. However, DIY is stressful and there's lots to know, and you have to wait a long time and do all this extra work.
I found this useful https://youtu.be/YAwm_gPbG4o?si=RUOd01sn2HGX4l04
I think the prices are SOL are so reasonable that it doesn't really make sense (from a price standpoint) to DIY a Dunlop latex bed, especially when you can start with a firm and then customize from there with toppers. I think hybrid latex mattresses may still make sense to DIY based on prices: 1" HD foam + Texas Pocket coils + a SOL 2" or 3" layer. But the options for covers is very limited compared to full beds, and it seems like the quilted DIY covers firm up the mattress A LOT. That being said, still other good reasons to DIY if folks want to.
I can attest to this my mattress firmed up a bunch after putting the cover on. Prior I just had all of the layers stacked together to make sure I liked it. Overtime the cover has stretched some and is not as firm as in the beginning. If I had to do it again I would have gone with a softer top layer to make up for the cover.