Many sleepers nowadays invest in latex mattresses when looking for high-end beds. A latex mattress is a great alternative to an innerspring mattress. They are not your average mattress. This is because these mattresses have become popular thanks to their superior characteristics, such as temperature regulation, durability, and support. However, many sleepers may not be aware of the role the weight of latex mattresses play in determining their properties. They may not understand that it has a lot to do with latex mattress longevity and sustainability.
This post explores the factors affecting the weight of a latex mattress, and explains why it's a vital consideration during mattress shopping.
Why Mattress Weight Matters
There are numerous factors impacting the performance of a new mattress. One of these factors is the mattress weight. Here's why mattress weight matters.
Choice of Foundation Base
A heavy mattress needs a good foundation base for adequate support. This is one of the reasons why some mattress manufacturers recommend a specific foundation base for their mattresses. But unfortunately, most manufacturers don't cover damages to your new mattress from using the wrong foundation base.
Bed Setup
Most heavier mattresses are thicker than lighter mattresses because of the extra layers and materials making up these mattresses. Usually, thicker beds appear more plush, comfortable, and expensive than thinner beds. This causes a huge difference in the aesthetics of a bed, making the mattress weight a factor worth considering.
Quality of Mattress
The quality of a mattress type also links to its weight. Generally, premium quality mattresses contain more materials than most standard mattresses, making them heavier. That also makes them ideal for pressure relief, and for those with medical concerns. Although this isn't a standard mattress rule, it's worth considering when selecting the right mattress for you.
Need for Flipping or Rotating
Two-sided mattresses need flipping at least twice a year. This may be a challenging task to accomplish without some assistance if your mattress is too heavy. On the other hand, lightweight mattresses can easily flip, rotate, or move from one room to another.
Factors Affecting the Weight of a Latex Mattress
Some of the factors affecting the weight of a latex mattress include:
Type of Latex
There are two types of organic latex foams: Talalay and Dunlop latex foams. The difference between these two varieties of latex foams is their processing methods, which also determine their weights.
Here's an overview of these processing methods, and how they determine the weight of the latex foams.
Talalay Latex Foams Processing Steps
To process Talalay latex foams, the manufacturer whips liquid latex to foam a froth and pours it into a mold. Next, the manufacturer seals the mold and vacuums it to suck the air out. As a result, the latex expands to its full shape, filling the mold.
The next step involves freezing the froth by pushing carbon dioxide through the mold to form air pockets. Lastly, the latex is baked to cure, removed from the mold, washed, and dried.
As the Talalay latex dries, it forms a fluffy consistency that makes it light. This is because of the air pockets formed during the freezing stage. As a result, mattresses made using Talalay latex foams are lightweight.
Dunlop Latex Processing Steps
The Dunlop latex process is shorter than the Talalay method. In this method, the manufacturer begins by whipping liquid latex into a froth. Next, the manufacturer injects the whipped liquid latex into a mold, and bakes it in a vulcanization oven.
Once cured, the manufacturer removes the mold from the oven, and washes it to eliminate any impurities. Finally, the mold bakes a second time to remove all moisture.
When the mold is ready, the manufacturer removes it from the oven to cool and dry. As it cools, heavy sediments of the foam settle at the bottom, while the light and soft materials float at the top. This makes Dunlop latex foams firmer, denser, and heavier than Talalay.
Firmness
Firmer latex mattresses tend to be heavier than softer alternatives because they have compact cellular structures, and fewer air pockets. As a result, this structure increases the density of these mattresses.
On the other hand, softer latex mattresses have fluffy cellular structures, and more air pockets, making them less dense. This results in lightweight latex mattresses. While a memory foam bed may be lighter than a latex mattress, it comes with a tradeoff in firmness.
Density
The density of a mattress, known as indentation load deflection, or ILD, is the weight of one cubic foot of the mattress. It's measured by dividing the mattress weight by its volume. For instance, if a mattress weighs 120 pounds, and its volume is 30 cubic feet, the latex density measured is 4 pounds per cubic foot. The ILD reflects the force needed to compress natural latex.
Latex is a naturally heavy material. However, mattress manufacturers manipulate latex foams to achieve the desired weights of their mattresses. For this reason, latex mattresses are available in varying weights and densities. For example, less dense latex mattresses may weigh anywhere between 90 to 105 lbs, while a high density latex mattress may weigh between 110 and 125 lbs.
Thickness
Mattresses have evolved over the years thanks to continuous research on improving sleep quality. For example, new models of latex mattresses come with extra cushioning and support layers for pressure relief. As a result, these mattresses are thicker and heavier than traditional models, and require a supportive bed frame. High density latex offers a thick mattress.
Age
Mattresses become heavier as they age, because of years of absorbing moisture, dead skin cells, dust mites, and oils. On average, mattresses gain double their original weights when they've been in use for ten years. As a result, most old mattresses are heavy.
The Weight of a Mattress By Sizes
Latex mattresses are available in varying sizes and thicknesses. Here's how these sizes vary in weight:
Twin Size Latex Mattresses
A Twin Size mattress measures 38 by 75 inches. This mattress is the smallest and lightest of all other mattresses. In addition, the mattress weighs between 40 to 45 pounds, depending on the thickness. As a result, it is ideal for children and lightweight sleepers.
Twin XL Latex Mattresses
The Twin XL latex mattresses are five inches longer than the Twin Size mattresses. However, they have the same width. These twin mattresses are suitable for taller children and lightweight sleepers because of the extra inches in length. This size of twin mattress usually weighs 43 to 48 pounds.
Full-Size Latex Mattresses
A Full-Size latex mattress weighs between 50 and 60 pounds, and measures 56 by 75 inches. This mattress can fit a couple, but it's also ideal for two children.
Queen Size Latex Mattresses
Queen size mattresses are the most popular mattress sizes on the market today. They are ideal for couples, but can also suit a single person.
A queen size mattress, whether it is an innerspring mattress, or latex, measures 60 by 80 inches, and weighs between 120 to 160 pounds.
King Size Latex Mattresses
Of course, a King sized mattress weighs more than the smaller sizes. The King size mattress is 16 inches wider than a queen size mattress. A King size mattress is suitable for couples who share their bed with a child or pet. A King size bed mattress weighs between 130 and 180 pounds, making it the heavier than most mattresses.
California King Latex Mattresses
California King mattresses measure 72 by 84 inches, giving sleepers more room for their feet. However, despite the size difference, it weighs the same as the King size mattresses. The Larger mattresses, like a California King mattress, can fit couples sharing a bed with more than one toddler or pet.
Latex For Less Mattresses
Latex For Less is home to one of the best organic latex beds on the market today. Latex For Less offers three models of latex beds with varying weights and sizes, and can be paired with the Latex For Less mattress foundation.
While the weight can vary by type, generally, you’ll find that the overall mattress weights fall approximately within these ranges:
Size: Pounds
Twin: 60-70
Twin XL: 67-75
Full: 88-118
Queen: 103-132
King: 132-156
California King: 134-157
Split King: 132-156
The 2-Sided Latex Mattress
The 2-sided natural latex mattress consists of 100% natural latex, 100% pure organic cotton, and a 100% natural wool fire barrier. As the name suggests, sleepers can use either side of this mattress by flipping it over. On one side, the mattress is firm, while the other is medium-firm, allowing sleepers to customize their comfort anytime they wish.
This 2-in-1 mattress differs from other mattresses in structural design. For example, this mattress has not one, but two layers of latex foam at its core. Moreover, these two layers are different. One of the layers is a medium-firm Talalay latex foam with a 5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. The other is a firm Dunlop latex foam with a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale.
The natural wool fire barrier and the ultra-soft organic cover come after the latex foams on either side of the mattress.
These natural latex mattresses are available in 9 inches and 7 inches in thickness, ranking them among the low-profile mattresses, so they pair well with most any mattress foundation. As a result, they are relatively lighter, and suit sleepers weighing 130 pounds or less.
The Organic Latex Mattress
The Organic Latex Mattress model is a thick mattress containing all-natural materials. It includes a 6-inch organic latex core, a 3-inch organic latex comfort layer, a 100% natural wool fire barrier, and an ultra-soft organic cotton cover.
These mattresses are available in 9 inches and 12 inches, all mattress sizes, and firmness levels. However, given that they are thick, and made using Dunlop latex foams, they are relatively heavy.
The Hybrid Latex Mattress
The Hybrid Latex Mattress is a 12-inch mattress containing the traditional coil springs support core, and a comfort layer made of organic latex.
The mattress has a 3-inch comfort layer of latex foam that's either medium, or medium-firm. The medium-firm layer has a density of 85, while the medium layer's density is 75.
In addition, this mattress has an 8-inch fabric-encased coil core, and half an inch of natural wool on either side. Lastly, soft GOTS-certified, stretch-knit cotton covers the mattress, giving it a soft, luxurious feel.
If you have more questions about latex mattresses or mattress types, our friendly sleep experts are always willing to help answer them. Chat with us 7 days a week, 9am - 9pm PST or call us toll free 1 (888)-560-2085, 7 days a week, 9am - 9pm PST. We would love for you to get a better night’s sleep each and every night.
