Furniture and Furnishings - memory foam beds

Hi-
We're looking at replacing our 14 year old futon. We've been looking at the foam beds as well as conventional spring matresses. Anyone out there have experience with memory foam mattresses?

Anyone out there have experience with memory foam mattresses?
Yes, quite a bit
What would you like to know?

Well, specifically-

What's an average sort of lifespan for the bed? Assuming its a good quality, 5.3 lb foam, that is. I'm also speaking of the memory foam as opposed to latex foam, which is way out of our price range :)

What happens to the bed when it needs replacing? does the foam lose its elasticity? break down physically? start outgassing noxious fumes? melt into a puddle?

WOuld you reccomend one?

As long as we are talking visco-elastic memory foam, and a good quality, the true lifespan is unknown (actual, in the field data-not simulated)
They are too new (10,12 years on the market maybe?)
The average mattress lasts 10 years
A visco-elastic memory foam matt should double that (but then a quality innerspring matt could also)
There is talk it could well surpass that, but until 2020, it is just talk
This is for full-time use (not guest bed)

I'm suprised to hear latex is out of your price range, as usually they are very comprable in price to the memory foam

Both should be very close to a premium matt price

It makes me wonder if the matt you are looking at is "Visco-elastic Memory Foam" or a lower quality "memory" foam cashing in on the name recognition

As for breaking down:
They will start to lose elasticity, and not support as well when they break down
It is a subtle change, and some are more sensitive to it than others
But I know this from the performance of less than premium visco foam
The cheapos give out rather quickly
No puddles or off-gassing, sorry

Modern premium latex would have the same breakdown symptoms, as would an innerspring matt

Perhaps you could answer me a few questions?
What is the price difference between the latex and memory foam?
And perhaps the manufacturerers of either/both?
Visco foam must have a base of high density poly-urethane in the matt
Do you know how thick the memory foam is?

As for recommending one, I would have to ask if you tried one and if you liked it, that's the most important thing
If you like the feel, yes I can heartily recomend it

Myself, I like a comfortable matt, and I sleep on a visco over innerspring matt and love it
For my in-laws spare, I purchased latex
It is comfy enough for me and gets jumped on by many, many grandkids when I'm not there (My beloved is one of nine)

Hi-
thanks for the info. We are looking at the Sensa mattress made by Foamex, a major foam manufacturer. Foamex doesn't sell the mattresses directly to consumers. THe price we were quoted for both mattress and box spring was $1699 (Cdn). Here's a link to the specs http://www.foamex.com/sensus.php I haven't yet been able to find a latex mattress locally, but the ones I've seen on-line have been about $2100 US.

I've never tried memory foam other than on the display bed yesterday. It would be a lot different from the futon!

Ah yes I'm very familier with Foamex
They started here in Connecticut in the old Firestone factory (making latex actually)
They make some great products
I have some of their latex mattress toppers and they made the visco for the manufacturer of my mattress (the visco over spring)

The memory foam price sounds just about right in Canadian dollers-the latex is high, it must be a super premuim with some bells and whistles (or a fancy pedigree)

It is quite different from a futon (though today you can get a visco-futon)
The best thing you can do is try it, really try it
Hey if you're buying a car to commute 100 miles to work each day you'd better take it on the highway for a test drive
Wear comfy clothes, lie on it (with your partner) for at least 10 minutes
If you're a side sleeper try it on your side, etc...

You can do this a few times if you want, it's OK and a good store will want you to choose the right mattress for you