Modern mattresses do not necessarily need a box spring, but can still work with various forms of bed bases such as foundation, platform bed or Bunkie board.
Alternative mattress bases provide support and height to increase airflow, ease of movement, reduce wear and tear to extend its lifespan and prolong its useful life.
How to Determine if Your Mattress Needs a Box Spring
Box springs typically range between 7 to 9 inches tall, providing your mattress with extra support that helps prevent it from sagging and making getting in and out easier. They also add height, making the bed suitable for people who prefer higher sleeping surfaces or struggle getting onto and off of floors.
Most traditional innerspring mattresses require a box spring for support as their frames don’t contain slats that provide even distribution of weight across their entire frame. Without one, your mattress would likely sag and wear out faster without assistance from one. But with modern designs not necessitating or even being damaged by using one.
If you’re uncertain if your mattress requires a box spring, speak with its retailer or review the warranty. Most mattress manufacturers provide information regarding whether their product requires foundation support or can be used with box springs on their websites or tags attached to your new mattress.
if your mattress does not support a box spring, consider switching out for a platform or low profile foundation instead. These alternatives tend to be less bulky while providing similar levels of support as a box spring; in addition, these modern looking structures may add contemporary touches that work well in minimalist environments.
What’s a Box Spring?
A box spring is a metal or wooden frame that sits underneath your mattress to keep it from touching the ground, as well as absorb shocks and impacts, helping your mattress last longer over time. Box springs also help raise your bed for easier in and out access when getting into and out of bed at night.
When purchasing a box spring, pay close attention to its coil gauge and coil count. A higher number of coils means thicker support over time; furthermore, for those sleeping on heavier mattresses with higher coil counts are less susceptible to damage from additional weight.
Some mattress companies require that their mattresses are used with a box spring to comply with their warranty and ensure optimal sleep comfort. Without one, your mattress could develop sagging or uneven wear over time that would void its warranty.
If you don’t wish to invest in or replace an existing box spring, there are still a variety of solutions that can provide adequate support for your mattress. A platform foundation, consisting of a solid slab of wood supporting your mattress is one such alternative; it is affordable and makes an ideal replacement solution without adding too much height.
Box Spring Alternatives
Many people believe they require a box spring for their bed frame, but modern mattress options make this unnecessary. A platform bed or wood foundation can give your mattress height without adding bulk to its frame while also allowing airflow underneath to prevent microorganism growth underneath it. Furthermore, these types of foundations are easily relocated should your preferences change over time or you need room in your house for an additional mattress purchase.
Slatted bed foundations offer another popular box spring alternative, providing support and creating airflow underneath it. Available from twin to king height and suitable for most traditional mattresses, these lightweight foundations can also be assembled more quickly than their box counterparts – though memory foam mattresses may not benefit as slats too close together could cause sagging.
Plastic milk crates offer an eco-friendly foundation option. Sturdy yet lightweight, these affordable foundations contain no chemicals that could potentially irritate skin or leave behind an unpleasant odor. Before choosing this route, be sure to verify the warranty of your mattress as certain companies require that their products are placed on a foundation for warranty reasons.
Box Spring Installation
Before assembling your mattress and box spring, check that their frames and foundations are properly aligned before screwing them together. It is also advisable to consult the mattress producer regarding how best to pair their products. Helix recommends using a traditional box spring as long as its slats are spaced less than 4 inches apart with plywood providing central support as they recommend this combination for their mattresses.
If you opt for a standard box spring, it should be replaced every 10 years as they will become less supportive over time. Furthermore, some newer mattresses may not be compatible with this foundation type and so before trying to match your mattress and foundation together it would be prudent to contact the manufacturer and request more information before trying anything yourself.
Some individuals prefer forgoing the box spring altogether and placing their mattress directly on the floor instead. This method may be less costly and more durable than utilizing a foundation, though its direct contact with the floor allows microorganisms to form which can cause health issues; additionally, sleeping on this surface may cause your mattress to eventually sag over time.
