Hi cyberbob,
I am looking to go the DIY router.
If you are attracted to the idea of designing and building your own DIY mattress out of separate components and a separate cover then the first place I would start is by reading option 3 in
post #15 her
e and the posts it links to (and option #1 and #2 as well) so that you have more realistic expectations and that you are comfortable with the learning curve, uncertainty, trial and error, or in some cases the higher costs that may be involved in the DIY process. While it can certainly be a rewarding project ... the best approach to a DIY mattress is a "spirit of adventure" where what you learn and the satisfaction that comes from the process itself is more important than any cost savings you may realize (which may or may not happen).
There is also more about primary or "deep" support and secondary or "surface" support and their relationship to firmness and pressure relief and the "roles" of different layers in a mattress in
post #2 here
and in
post #4 here
that may also be helpful in clarifying the difference between "support" and "pressure relief" and "feel" that may be useful as well.
For those who decide to take on the challenge then I would either use the specs (if they are available) of a mattress that you have tested and confirmed is a good match for you in terms of PPP as a reference point or blueprint and try and "match" every layer and component in your reference mattress as closely as possible or use a "bottom up" approach (see
post #2 here
).
I am kind of stuck on what base layer to go with.
Combi-Zone: $395. Looks like it is just steel springs.
6" Dunlop: $250 x 2 = $500 for a king setup.
6" 36 ILD polyfoam: $250
Assuming that the materials in a mattress you are considering are durable enough for your body type and meet the
quality/durability guidelines here
relative to your weight range ... the choice between different types and combinations of materials and components or different types of mattresses are more of a preference and a budget choice than a "better/worse" choice (see
this article
). The best way to know which types of materials or mattresses you tend to prefer in more general terms would be based on your own testing or personal experience.
There is more about some of the general differences between a latex/polyfoam hybrid and an all latex mattress in
post #2 here
.
There is also more about innerspring support cores vs latex support cores in
post #28 here
and in
post #2 here
.
My main concerns are longevity, lack of sag long term, breath ability, and budget,
There is more detailed information about the variables that can affect the durability and useful life of a mattress (and the materials inside it) in
post #4 here
and the posts it links to as well.
The layers that are closer to your body will have a bigger effect on the breathability and temperature regulation of a mattress than the deeper layers and Talalay latex is one of the most breathable foam materials in the industry.
I have tried to search for information on the Combi-Zone, but haven't found anything.
There is some information about the Combi-Zone pocket coil on the
Leggett & Platt site here
.
Phoenix