I just want to say something about my buying experience from Mattresses.net
After reading this thread ( first few pages only) I bought my box frame from this website, Wood Foundations , They did give me a 5% discount for mentioning this forum. That is all the “good” I have to say about them as a company. The website photos are misleading as a representation of the quality of the frame.
A week after I ordered, I still had not heard anything from the company regarding fullfillment or shipping even though I had sent three seperate emails. I then called the store and got a very rude man who told me to call the owner at another phone number. Only the number he gave me was the same one that I called to reach him. Later I called and left a message for the owner. Later that day I got an email saying there must be something wrong with my email, because UPS had sent me shipping info. THEN… a few hours later, I got that email from UPS, but all it said was that they had received shipping request from the bed company.
When I received the bed today, I opened it to find the their dimensional description was of by 1/4" which translates to 1/2" wider spacing between boards. A phone call once again lead me to the rude salesperson who again was less than helpful and very arrogant.
The frame does resemble the photos but was not made of the same grade spruce as pictured on the website. The wood is common “strapping” or “furring” grade lumber not finished dimensional boards as shown. I have worked as a carpenter for over 30 years, I know the difference. The surface is smooth enough and the wood is probably strong enough for this purpose, but not “Heavy Duty” as advertised.
I will keep the frame, as I have already moved into my home and I need a bed to sleep on. Returning it would be too much hassle to be worth the time. I will repost in a month or two, to report on the sturdiness of the product I received. But as of now, I am not happy with Mattresses.net
:S
Hi antny-p,
I’m sorry to hear about your experience with Mattresses.net and while it’s certainly not the norm … it’s no less frustrating if you are one of the small minority and I appreciate that you took the time to share them.
I don’t know of any of the KD foundations that are made with finished wood and they are meant to be a low cost alternative to much more costly foundations. They are also covered with cloth so the appearance of the wood isn’t particularly important. They are also a stronger and heavier duty option than most other lower cost wood slat foundations that are more commonly available that have fewer slats and that wouldn’t be suitable for a latex mattress.
I’m also curious about the distance between the slats and it would be helpful if you could measure them. It would also be helpful if you could attach a picture of your foundation so we can see what it looks like.
Phoenix
Hi Phoenix, this thread is a monstrous size! As such, I hope you don’t mind me asking the following:
I built my own foundation but am worried about it for the following reasons;
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Weight. This thing is a Monster! I’ll try to post up a DIY post later, I think I did a great job, and followed similar designs on the Web but simplified mine even more. However, I am having trouble finding shipping weights for such pieces, for Queens they seem to average 65 lbs or so. I did not even use 2 x 6 for ends/sides or anything like that. It more or less looks like this one: Amazon.com but my best guess on mine is that it weighs 120 lbs! (I seen only one at this weight, again seems hard to even find the weights listed anywhere). Mine looks very close to that, but is built out of all 1x4’s, with 2x4 support pieces and uses 2 support pieces on corners and in center (that one looks like that too mostly, but could be 1x3’s). I’m worried combined with mattress its too much weight for bed, the bed only has 3 metal bars across (screwed to side of crappy particle board frame with small bracket, would not be so worried if real wood) it to support everything (probably bad design) nothing on sides or ends at all which to me means too much weight on too little areas, 6 total (maybe I should screw some more support pieces at same height on sides at least) . However, 2 potential saving graces here I think: metal beams have a post under them in middle using the floor to stop any give and take some weight off. Brackets are through bolted in the particle board, thank goodness or would have broke long ago I’m sure. Bed kind of looks like this (beware the shadow in this pic, there are only 3 bars across) but I don’t see small brackets on sides holding bars in place: Bed Bath & Beyond | The Best Deals Online: Furniture, Bedding, Rugs, Kitchen Essentials & Moree
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Material for top of slats. I bought something I thought was strong and breathable, but I see now its more stretchy than I thought, and wonder if I can pull it tight enough to stop Latex from sagging through the Slat Gaps, which are set at 2 1/4" apart. How important is this material at top? Do some people not even put material on top?
I realize these are tricky to answer in general, just looking for your ‘opinion’ based on your extensive knowledge here. I’m probably worrying unnecessarily, as likely its only 50 - 70 pounds more then current box-spring in the big picture of 500 pounds total (wife, I, box and mattress). My current box looks IDENTICAL to this, which I’m guessing weighs 45 or 50 pounds or so. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D1sP-NndkqU/S9mHpWNGDSI/AAAAAAAAgdU/3YFJqwCB_5o/s1600/IMG_7518-1.jpg I seriously thought about just using this with new latex bed, the sucker is 10 years old but very very strong still and has a tight material running along the top and the gaps weren’t really far apart (what do you think?). The metal supports stick up a little though in spots (like an inch or so compared to rest of surface) like every 8" or so, and I worried that it would eventually leave indents in the Latex.
Thanks in advance
Hi jayjonbeach,
This is one of those questions that you will need to use “best judgement” because I don’t really have any way of knowing the weight capacity of your bedframe. It may be worthwhile calling the manufacturer to see what they say. If your foundation is about 120 lbs or so then it isn’t too much heavier than many other KD foundations so if your bedframe would be suitable for a regular foundation then you will probably be OK with your DIY version as well since the difference is less than 50lbs. If each of the steel cross members has a center leg to the floor which would be supporting most of the weight and the side attachments are also bolted through the side rails rather than being screwed into the particle board then as you mentioned this would increase the ability of the support frame to support the weight that is on it. Overall I would guess that you would probably be fine although it may be worthwhile attaching a wooden ledge on the inside of each side rail (similar to your second link) using the three brackets you have now to support it along with some additional screws along the length of the ledge to increase the strength of the load bearing points on each side of the bedframe.
If you are using 1x4’s and the gaps between the slats is only 2 1/4" you will be fine without anything on top of the slats (I would normally suggest gaps that are no more than about 3" apart and a load bearing surface of about 50% of the surface area). If your slats are rough or have share edges or there is the possibility they may splinter then the fabric cover would still be helpful in protecting the mattress cover from premature wear.
This is a box spring with torsion springs that are designed to flex under the mattress which isn’t ideal for a latex mattress (or any foam mattress). The slats also look like they are more than 3" apart. I also wouldn’t be comfortable with the raised metal supports you mentioned. Overall I wouldn’t use this.
Phoenix
Several types of mattresses can work with a platform base, with the main differentiator being what type feels most comfortable to you. Latex, memory foam and air mattresses are perhaps the best mattress options for platform beds since they are compatible with solid support foundations, though some types of spring, water and futon mattresses can also work as well. If you are unsure which type would be the best mattress for you, weigh the pros and cons and try out a variety of beds. As with any big purchase, it is wise to thoroughly research before buying. Know what’s in the bed, seek out reviews, and compare different brand and retailers, including online. Pairing the specifications of the frame, such as height, the type of support and the weight limit, with your comfort preferences will help you choose the best mattress for your platform bed.
Hi twade,
I think that the poster you are replying to has already purchased a mattress and was just looking for some guidance about using the foundation that they built not about which types of mattresses work well with a platform bed.
This type of advice says very little because it’s much too generic and lacks specifics about what to look for or how to choose a mattress that is a good “match” in terms of PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) what to look for in terms of the quality and durability of the materials, or any of the other preferences that may be an important part of someone’s personal value equation.
I would also be very wary of suggesting that someone choose a mattress based on “showroom feel” or “comfort” which can often be very misleading and may not do a particularly good job of predicting how well someone will actually sleep on a mattress in “real life”. There is more about the most important parts of the “value” of a mattress purchase in post #13 here that can help consumers make more meaningful comparisons between mattresses in terms of suitability, durability, and “value”.
I would also be very cautious about using other people’s reviews or experiences on a mattress (either positive or negative) as a reliable source of information or guidance about how suitable a mattress may be for any particular person or the durability of a mattress and in many cases they can be more misleading than helpful because a mattress that would be a perfect choice for one person may be completely unsuitable for someone else to sleep on or vice versa (see post #13 here).
I removed the signature from your user profile because linking to your own website is considered to be advertising which is against the rules of the forum.
Phoenix
I’m not sure if this belongs here but this thread has me a bit overwhelmed, please redirect me if there’s a more appropriate thread to ask.
I’ve already got a mattress picked out personally (polyfoam) but I have some questions about the bed itself. It appears I’ll need a platform bed, I’m trying to decide where may be a good place to shop for the bed/headboard though. I see wayfair and overstock have a lot of options, are there any suggested retailers? I was considering going to Ashley’s Furniture to see what they have.
The problem with the online options are they don’t really give you specs for how far apart the slats are. I’m also a bit confused about the wood foundations linked, are these box springs? I thought it was suggested not to use box spring for latex/foam or are these specially designed for them? With things like these and the wireframes are there no actual beds with the sides and headboard for these or can you do both?
Hi voxware,
I think that most of your questions are answered in the first post of the topic here which is the reference post for foundations and mattress support systems.
A bedframe (steel or wood) and a suitable foundation would also be an option for a support system under your mattress although of course you could also use a platform bed if that’s your preference. Either one is fine as long as the support under your mattress is suitable for your mattress.
Headboards are just for decoration and are just a personal preference choice. Since they are more of an optional furniture item they are outside the scope of the forum (and aren’t something that I spend time researching) but some of the members here that see your post may have some comments about headboards they like and where they purchased them.
If they can’t confirm that the slats are suitable for your mattress when you call or email them then I wouldn’t purchase it.
I’m not quite sure what you mean by “wood foundations linked” but if you mean the links in the reference post they are all foundations (there are no box spring linked there). Box springs have springs inside them that flex under pressure and foundations don’t have springs inside them and have a support surface that is designed to have very little to no flex at all when you apply pressure to it.
Box springs are sometimes used under thinner two sided latex mattresses to provide some additional give and softness under the mattress and there are also some flexible slat foundations that are sometimes used under latex as well which are also suitable in some cases (usually with thinner latex mattresses) but in most cases a latex mattress does best on a support system that has good center support to the floor and slats that are no more than 3" apart. Your mattress is polyfoam though not latex so while slats with closer spacing would still be a good idea and would provide better support … a little wider spacing with polyfoam is fine as well (usually up to 5" is fine but again less would be better) but I would always check with the manufacturer for any specific warranty requirements they may have).
Anything that provides suitable support for a mattress is fine and the rest is just “decoration” and aesthetics. In most cases you can attach a headboard and/or a footboard to a steel bedframe and to most of the 14" platform wire grid platform systems as well. The wire grid platform support systems can also usually fit inside the headboard/footboard and side rails of a wooden bedframe as well if you prefer how they look.
Phoenix
in response to the box springs,
I was specifically referencing the website http://www.usboxspring.com/wood.htm where they refer to the wood foundation as a box spring. plus it’s in their domain name.
Hi voxware,
The term “box spring” and “foundation” are often used interchangeably in the industry but the one you linked is a foundation (which is what they also call it in the heading although they do refer to it as a box spring in the description). It has a firm non flexing support surface with gaps between the slats that are less than 3" so it would certainly be suitable for any foam mattress including latex.
Phoenix
I guess I’m just looking for the easiest way to get everything in one package as far as the foundation, the bed frame, headboard, footboard all that jazz. Not sure if you just take the foundation like I linked and put a bed frame around it or if that’s what the appeal of the platform bed style is that it has the foundation and the frame together? Is there some terms I can use to find something that has everything I need for a foam/latex mattress all in one package? I would imagine buying separately ensures everything is better quality though.
Hi voxware,
A headboard and footboard are optional items that are mostly for looks or to fit the decor of your bedroom and you would need to choose these separately (if you want either one at all) based on your preferences. They generally attach to a bedframe.
You can use a foundation directly on the floor but most people would prefer more height which is why they are usually used on top of a steel or wooden bedframe. You could also attach legs directly under the foundation such as the bedlegs here so you wouldn’t need a bedframe as long as there is a way to attach them securely to the foundation and have legs in the center for good center support to the floor (see post #1 here). There may not be a way to attach a headboard and/or footboard directly to a foundation (if you prefer them) since these are usually attached to a steel bedframe or are part of a wooden bedframe.
Another option would be one of the wire grid platform foundations similar to the ones that are listed in the foundation post that are a bedframe and foundation in one as long as your mattress doesn’t have a latex support core which may sag into the gaps in the wire grid over time (see post #10 here). You can attach a headboard to most of these.
You can also choose a platform bed with a slatted support surface (some of which come with a headboard and footboard that are part of the bed or are optional additions) or even with a solid support surface (see post #10 here) that doesn’t need a foundation as long as the distance between any slats in the support surface is suitable for the type of mattress you have. These are more of a furniture item and tend to be more costly.
All of these would be a suitable choice and would depend on your preferences and budget.
Phoenix
See attached – I have a metal bed frame I’m looking to get a box spring for. Any bang for the buck options? Looking to buy an Tuft and Needle 10". I did read your foundation post, but it seemed more suited to latex. Apologies if I misread. Thanks for any help!
EDIT: In case the attachment didn’t work!
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Hi Triglet,
The foundation post has information about the most suitable support surface for any type of mattress and any of the options listed there or something similar (even the ones that I wouldn’t suggest for latex) would be fine for the Tuft & Needle.
Phoenix
I have decided on a Sleep EZ 10,000 and am thinking of putting it on my existing box springs to save a few dollars. The box springs is about 8 years old and is from Denver Mattress. It appears to be made of heavy gauge wire and is very rigid (it does not really move when I put my knee on it). Would this be acceptable? The box springs sits on a sturdy wooden frame so the frame should not be an issue with the added weight.
Here is what Denver Mattress website says about their universal foundations “This sturdy, steel modular foundation provides maximum durability and support. Unlike a traditional box spring that flexes, this steel modular foundation has a steel grid support system that will provide extra solid support for your mattress.”
Thanks!
Hi apickens99,
It would depend to some degree on the specifics of the wire grid. There is more about wire grid foundations in post #10 here and I would probably put something on top of the foundation to provide more surface area to support an all latex mattress.
Phoenix
Phoenix, just curious- what is your opinion on the current IKEA slat systems?
Hi finnaeus,
You can see my thoughts about flexible slat support systems in post #4 here and the posts it links to.
While they wouldn’t normally be my first choice for most mattresses they can be a good choice for some people that would benefit from the additional flex under a specific mattress and if they have tested a specific mattress on a flexible slat system and it’s a better match for them in terms of PPP than the same mattress on a firm non flexing foundation then they can would make a suitable choice.
They are often used in Europe underneath thinner mattresses as an “active” component in a sleeping system.
Phoenix
Thank you, Phoenix!
How would one know if one would benefit from the additional flex?
PS- What are your thoughts on this foundation? Products - IKEA
Hi finnaeus,
The only way to know this for certain would be based on comparing your actual sleeping experience on a flexible foundation with your experience on a non flexing foundation under the same mattress.
The Ikea website doesn’t give any details of the top surface of the Sultan Aram foundation that would be supporting the mattress, the distance between the slats, and appears to use cardboard on top (which would reduce ventilation under the mattress) so I would need to have more specific information about it before I could make any meaningful comments.
Phoenix