How To Build Your Own Tempur – Pedic Swedish Mattress

You may not afford the luxury of buying a Tempurpedic mattress but you can still benefit from memory foam's unique temperature-sensitivity, if you really like the feel of it. One option is buying a cheaper mattress.

Most of these Tempur-Pedic Swedish clones, however, are not as comfortable, don't provide enough back support and break down in 2-3 years. Another option would be making your own viscoelastic foam mattress, a challenge DIY enthusiasts will certainly enjoy. Here's how to get started.

Your home-made visco foam mattress will essentially be made of:

• Memory foam topper
• Foam core
• Foundation (optional)
• Accessories (optional)

Memory Foam Comfort Layer

It's important to remember that viscoelastic foam is not supportive enough to make a mattress entirely of it which is why you will use a 3-inch thick topper on top of the mattress core. Here's what to look for in a visco foam topper:

• Open-cell structure which eliminates pressure points (air pressure is spread to adjoining cells instead of upwards to constrict blood circulation).
• High density of 4lb minimum (5lb is recommended).
• Sensitivity to body temperature which makes the foam become softer when warmer and contour your shape with added precision.
• Firmness of 13 ILD minimum (14 is ILD recommended). ILD stands for Indentation Load Deflection which measures firmness in polyurethane foams.

For a more luxurious feel, use the 4-inch thick Tempur mattress overlay. It's made of high-quality, temperature-sensitive 5.34lb memory foam of 14 ILD firmness.

Mattress Core

The mattress core is as important as the memory foam layer on top, if not more crucial. Without a firm and supportive foam underneath it, you keep sinking in until you bottom out. Here's what your foam mattress core should be made of:

• Between 1 and 4 layers of good quality, high-resilience foam of 30-36 ILD firmness.
• The deeper layers should be thicker, firmer and denser in order to provide better support.
• Adding intermediate layers between the bottom one and the Tempurpedic-style mattress topper ensures a more delicate, luxurious feel.

Bed Foundation

The memory foam layer and core are usually enough to make a home-made Tempur-Pedic mattress. Once built, you may wish to place it on a bed foundation in order to raise it from the floor (by 10-inches or more). Alternatively, you can place it directly on the floor.

If you do choose to place the mattress on a foundation make sure it's the solid type. Memory foam mattresses should not be used on slates and box springs. A perfectly flat, no-spring surface is required for the foam to properly support body weight and relieve pressure points. Tempur-Pedic warranty, for example, is voided if you use their product on anything else than a solid foundation.

Accessories For Added Luxury

Add a terry velour cover to your new, home-made memory bed for that extra bit of luxury but avoid at all costs to add further padding (of any kind) between yourself and the memory foam layer.

Insulation from the body means the viscoelastic foam cannot react the best it possibly can to body temperature. It won't soften and flow around your body but remain firm, cold and uncomfortable.

Bottom Line

Most people don't realise that it's actually easy making a memory foam mattress of your own, even with that bit of Tempurpedic distinction. All you need is to pay lots of attention when buying the foam for the comfort layer and the mattress core.

Further Reading

• Memory Foam Lens at Squidoo

Happy Sleeping!