We have purchased a latex mattress with a box spring and are thinking of putting it on our existing bedframe, which is wood, with the hooks on both ends. It has the wooden frame with a narrow lip, so investigating putting cross slats on the frame.
So we’re thinking of getting wooden slats made (Lowe’s) and have some questions:
What is the best type of wood?
How wide should the slats themselves be? We do note that spacing should be no more than 3 inches between slats.
What supports (if any) should we use for the middle of the bed, from the slats to the floor?
Just to check - When you say “box spring”, I’m guessing that you mean a foundation instead of an actual active coil box spring system? Most latex manufacturers require their mattresses to be placed on a firm and flat foundation as opposed to an active coil box spring unit.
When using a foundation and mattress in a traditional sleep set and placing a slat network inside of the bed set, poplar is a common choice by many better sleep set manufacturers. You certainly can choose maple or hickory or oak or even a very dense southern yellow pine.
A 1" x 4" works well for a support under a foundation as part of a bed set. As far as the number of slats, I believe you may be confusing the recommended slat network for a latex mattress that does not use a foundation (as in a platform bed configuration), and this would necessitate many slats that are spaced under 3" apart. When using a foundation under your mattress (as in a more “traditional” sleep set), you’ll generally want at least 5 cross slats under your foundation.
A T-slat configuration is an easy and popular manner to provide proper support under a foundation and does not necessitate legs down to the floor. Alternatively, you could also make your own center legs under each slat with an adjustable glide placed in the end of each leg. You could also make a system, depending upon the construction of your headboard and footboard, with a head to toe center beam (perhaps a 2" x 4" on end) screwed into the headboard and footboard upon which all of the slats would rest and this would also provide good center reinforcement (this would be the least popular option).
Thanks for the detailed reply. And yes, I did mean “foundation” when I said “box spring”. It’s really been an education to learn about mattresses, and the old way of thinking is hard to shake!
You’re also correct that with the foundation, slats 3" apart are not necessary, and I was confusing the two configurations.
We think we’re going to go the T-slat route and will be going to Lowe’s this evening to get some poplar slats. Thanks also for the link to the article on how to make them.
This website is such an amazing resource! Thanks for all you do.
Thanks for the update and confirmation of what you “meant” in your previous post.
I think you can come up with a very sturdy system using the T-slats. A good idea is the secure them to the wood lip upon which they rest once you have them in place.
If you have any other questions as you go through this process, feel free to ask.
