King size mattress, questions again, please help!

Orrin

Latex is supposedly cooler than memory foam, yes. Opinions vary on whether you should use a pocket sprung mattress on a slatted base or not, and if so how wide the maximum gap between slats can be. Plenty of people use pocket sprung mattresses on slatted bases without modification and seem perfectly happy. If you're concerned you could either go for a foam only mattress or use extra slats or pegboard if you go for springs.

I was recently quoted £850 delivered for a king size Dunlopillo diamond latex mattress from mynextmattress.co.uk. My local dunlopillo stockist sells the same mattress for £1599. I'm not recommending the mattress or the retailer as I have no personal experience of either, but if you're in the market to spend up to a grand and want a latex mattress then it looks like a difficult deal to beat.

Tim will probably be along to tell you that the quality of Dunlopillo isn't what it was, but my local stockist seemed to think they were as good as ever when I chatted to them about it, so again, opinions vary. What isn't in dispute is that they are a premium brand (with prices to match) and a long established reputation.

Tim_Deegan

keld wrote: »

Hi, we're looking to replace a kingsize Slumberland Amberseal 1100 series, which we've had for 12 years and desperately needs replacing, but I'm concerned about making a costly mistake. Our bed is a slatted frame, rather than a divan.

We have been looking at pocket sprung with memory foam, but I've heard that they get hot, and I suffer with stress related heat already. Would latex be better? We like a medium firm mattress.

My friend said that she thought that any mattress that was about £1,000 would be good. I don't mind the money, I just don't want to make a mistake.

Thanks.

You were very lucky that your pocket sprung mattress lasted 12 years on a slatted base, as pocket sprung only mattresses don't really like them. I wouldn't go for a foam only mattress as Orrin suggested, as this type can be extremely warm. The options are to use a sheet of pegboard or hardboard over the slats (as Orrin said), or go for one that is two sided.

If you are very sensitive to heat, then yes latex would be better. Just make sure that you have a full layer of natural latex at least 2" deep, right over the full sleaping surface of the mattress.

Synthetic latex or blends don't have the same cool properties as natural latex.

Don't just assume that because you pay £1000 that you are getting good quality. Many of the big chain stores will charge £1000 for mattresses that aren't very good quality at all.

Tim_Deegan

Orrin wrote: »

Tim will probably be along to tell you that the quality of Dunlopillo isn't what it was, but my local stockist seemed to think they were as good as ever when I chatted to them about it, so again, opinions vary. What isn't in dispute is that they are a premium brand (with prices to match) and a long established reputation.

There are quite a few MSE members who have previously owned older Dunlopillo mattresses, and then replaced them with a newer one, who have all said that the quality isn't what it used to be. Tis is where I get my information on this from, as I have never personally slept on either a new or an old one. However this does back up the general trend with companies taken over by the Hilding Anders group.

keld

Thanks Orrin and Tim,

Where would you recommend looking to try some mattresses, as although I'm happy to buy over the internet, I would like to try before I buy.

Tim_Deegan

keld wrote: »

Thanks Orrin and Tim,

Where would you recommend looking to try some mattresses, as although I'm happy to buy over the internet, I would like to try before I buy.

There are pros and cons with trying before you buy.

To start with many of the big manufacturers are very good at making poor quality mattresses feel very comfortable when new. But quite often within a few nights, you can find that the mattress wasn't the quality you thought it was. So although the mattress was very comfortable to lay on for 10 mins in a shop, fully clothed, this can gove you a false sense of security.

This is why I say you should always speek to the seller first, and ask them advice. If you think what they are talking is just hype, or they are trying to sell you a load of gimmicks, then buy from elswhere. If a seller has a good return policy, then it is in their interest to make sure you make the right choice the first time.

PopCulture

Is a King size mattress just longer or wider than a queen?

Tim_Deegan

PopCulture wrote: »

Is a King size mattress just longer or wider than a queen?

Queen size is not a UK size. It actually varies depending on which country you come from. So you will find that the term isn't used in the UK bed trade as it just causes confusion.

A UK king size is 5' wide by 6'6" long.

allstar4eva

keld wrote: »

Thanks Orrin and Tim,

Where would you recommend looking to try some mattresses, as although I'm happy to buy over the internet, I would like to try before I buy.

I would recommend you try before you buy. You spend a third of your life in bed so it is worth trying it out first.

I think you should find a decent brand. Try it out in store then if you like and can locate it buy on line or pay a bit more and reward the local retailer for providing the facilities to see, touch and feel the product before you buy.

emmell

My local retailer beat the cheapest online price I could find. He just brought the website up on his computer to confirm what I said and knocked £10 off. It wasn't a fortune but better in my pocket than theirs.
ML.

Tim_Deegan

emmell wrote: »

My local retailer beat the cheapest online price I could find. He just brought the website up on his computer to confirm what I said and knocked £10 off. It wasn't a fortune but better in my pocket than theirs.
ML.

Your local retailer was a good find then, well done.

I presume that was on a big brand mattress, as they often have bigger mark ups?