New to the board and thanking everyone who contributes.
We are building a platform bed - Many people recommend LURĂ–Y slats with Skorva support beams - or something similar. We have been thinking of using a plywood sheets - Is the breathability with plywood as a platform an issue? We are new to this and welcome your thoughts
miamaelia:
There are multiple ways to provide a base for your mattress, and many can work quite well. Most modern one-sided mattress manufacturers recommend a firm and flat surface upon which to place their mattresses.
You certainly can use some sort of a ready-to-go assembly like you mentioned with the bowed slats. This would provide airflow and their spacing would be adequate for most any mattress. The things you’d want to pay attention to would be the potential for some bowed slat system to sag over time. Additionally, some mattress manufacturers prefer that their products not be placed on anything that flexes (like a bowed slat system). You’d want to check with the warranty requirements of your mattress manufacturer. Also, realize that bowed slat systems can slightly soften the overall comfort of your mattress.
A plywood deck can provide a solid and flat surface, provided that it is properly reinforced beneath with something like a 3-5 T-slat system. Many storage platform bed manufacturers choose some sort of a solid deck system to minimize the accumulation of organic detritus (your skin cells) from making their way into the storage drawers. One potential drawback when using a solid deck is that the airflow around the mattress can be minimized. This would be a concern primarily if you’re in a sleeping environment with poor humidity regulation and in a climate that tends to have high humidity for part of the year. This potentially could create an environment under the mattress that is favorable for mold growth and could minimize heat dissipation.
Another popular option is using a slatted network, but one that is flat instead of bowed. Slat spacing of 2"-3" should satisfy most any mattress company’s requirements. Common slat widths are 3" - 6". You’d want to make sure that these slats are reinforced to prevent sagging. Some people choose to use a middle head-to-toe support beam upon which the slats rest. Others choose to reinforce each slat in the T-slat manner I linked to previously. Both systems can do the job. The advantage of a system like this is that it does provide good airflow, while at the same time providing a firm and flat support surface.
There are more ways to create a platform and others may chime in with some idea, but these would be examples of some of the more common solutions.
Good luck!
You’re welcome!