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Can A Box Spring Make A Mattress Firmer

Replace Damaged Or Worn Layers

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There are some mattresses that are made from several layers held in place by a mattress cover. Whats great about having this type of mattress is that you will be able to replace any layer that is already worn or damaged instead of having to buy a brand new mattress. All that you have to do is to open the mattress and remove the damaged layer to be replaced afterward.

Durable Box Springs That Preserve Your Mattress

When most people are shopping for box springs, they are looking for a box spring of a certain height. If you like or need height to help you get out of bed in the morning, youll want a standard box spring if you like the aesthetics of a lower bed, a low profile box spring may be ideal bunkie boards are great for lofts and bunk beds, and our acid reflux box spring helps reduce the symptoms of GERD.

  • Our Standard Box Spring has a height of 8.5 and is available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, and King sizes
  • Our Low Profile Box Spring has a height of 4.5 and is available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, and King sizes
  • Our Bunkie Board has a height of 2 and is available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, and King sizes
  • Our Acid Reflux Box Spring is 9 at the head and 2 at the foot and Twin, Full, Queen, and King sizes

If you are looking for a bed frame for your box spring and mattress, Texas Mattress Makers has a selection of bed frames that can be adjusted to fit the size of your bed: our 190 Bed Frame , our 114 Bed Frame , and our 470 Bed Frame .

Box Spring Vs Foundation Vs Platform Bed

Most mattresses require something between the mattress and the floor. While many beds actually function just fine when placed directly on the floor, this restricts airflow and can lead to unsanitary conditions. So, most people will want to use some sort of foundation whether thats a box spring, a foundation, or a platform bed depends on the type of mattress you choose, as well as personal preference.

A box spring is a simple support consisting of a wooden/metal frame, filled with metal coils/springs or a metal grid, and wrapped in fabric. They are primarily used for innerspring mattresses. Typically box springs are designed to sit on top of a bed frame.

A foundation is another type of support system that usually consists of wooden slats or flat solid frames. They function similarly to box springs, but they dont actually contain metal springs. Foundations offer a very firm surface for mattresses to rest on, making them a good choice for foam beds. Most foundations are designed to be used with a bed frame, although some companies offer free-standing versions.

A platform bed combines both a foundation for your bed as well as a frame to keep it off the ground. Most have wooden legs to elevate the frame, while some include storage drawers reaching down to the ground level. Platform beds offer an all-in-one solution, but they can be pricier than other options.

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Try A Mattress Topper

A latex mattress topper can help your soft bed feel more supportive.

You may be familiar with plush mattress toppers that make your bed feel even softer, but there are plenty of mattress toppers that can do just the opposite. When it comes to choosing a topper that will make your bed more firm, you can generally find options made of either memory foam, latex or polyurethane.

You’ll want to look for a topper that’s 2 inches or more thick. You can also check the ILD if you’re shopping for a latex topper. The ILD tells you how firm the mattress topper feels. The higher the number, the more dense and firm it will feel.

How Do You Fix A Sagging Mattress

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There isnt a way to fix a sagging mattress, but adding a mattress topper can provide a temporary solution. Mattress toppers made of latex boost your beds support compared to a memory foam mattress topper. Latex is a firmer material and has a responsive bounce, so you wont have to worry about feeling stuck inside your mattress.

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Use Tight Fitted Sheets

A tightly-fitted sheet can help make your mattress feel firmer by squeezing it around the sides, helping to prevent the mattresss comfort layer from overly compressing when you lie down on the bed.

Since fitted sheets lose their tautness over time, too, youll have to replace your fitted sheet every now and again to keep it compressing on your mattress. The compression provided by your fitted sheet also may not make much of a difference in firmness, depending on your mattresss age, condition, and material. If you want a little more firmness, the fitted sheet should work just fine. If you want a lot more firmness, you may need to go for a different option like a new base or topper.

Can I Put My Foam Or Hybrid Mattress On The Floor

The short answer to this question is yes! It’s your mattress, so we can’t control what you decide to do with it. However, we don’t recommend leaving your bed on the floor as a permanent solution. Your mattress needs to breath and on the floor, it won’t get airflow. If you don’t have another choice or have to keep your mattress on the floor until you can buy a base, lean it up against the wall at least once a week so it can breathe a little.

Plus, with foam mattresses especially, keeping them on the floor can cause mold and bacteria to grow on your mattress, especially if you live in a more humid climate. It’s best if you let your mattress breath through a slatted foundation or platform.

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Foundation + Metal Bed Frame

One of the most common foundation setups youll find is a foundation and metal bed frame duo. Since basic wood foundations dont have legs, putting it on a metal bed frame lifts your bed off the ground and gives you room under your bed for extra storage. This is a low-profile, basic bed base option and you can usually get both of these pieces without breaking the bank.

Buy A Mattress Topper

How To Support a Mattress Without a Box Spring – Build a DIY Bed Frame for $10

Using a firm mattress topper is typically the most effective thing that you can do to make a current mattress feel firmer. Dense memory foam or latex foam mattress toppers that measure greater than two inches can even out a lumpy or saggy surface and make an overly soft mattress more supportive.

For a mattress that is sinking in, you may need to add blankets, pillows, or something else to even out the surface before you place the topper. And if your mattress is aging and quite saggy or soft, you may not find a topper to offer sufficient support.

Word of warningdo not mix up a mattress pad for a mattress topper. Mattress pads are thin sheets of padding made from soft materials like cotton, wool, or polyester. These products will usually make mattresses softer.

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What Is A Box Spring

A box spring is a support for your mattress thats manufactured to be the same size as the bed. It consists of a wooden frame filled with springs and wrapped in fabric. It sits directly under the mattress, providing support.

The box spring is intended to serve a few purposes:

  • To provide underlying support for the mattress
  • To raise the mattress up to a more comfortable height
  • To protect the mattress by absorbing impact
  • To improve airflow, which helps to keep the mattress cooler

Box springs provide support, but are also able to absorb some shock from the mattress itself. This is a good feature for innerspring beds, but can be damaging for foam mattresses. A foam bed, which lacks the rigid structure of an innerspring mattress, should be used with a very solid support base, such as a platform bed.

The term box spring refers to the traditional design that uses actual springs surrounded by a wooden or metal frame. There are other types of supports that you can use under a mattress, including platform beds and foundations.

Choose The Right Platform

Buying a box spring or a solid mattress base is a good option for those who need extra support. A mattress on a slatted foundation and a mattress on a solid base will have different levels of firmness. By the way, if you want to prevent sagging, a good bed base will be a good solution, too. If you want to learn more about good foundations, take a look at this guide on how to choose a good platform for a memory foam mattress.

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Tip 4 Add A Layer Of Plywood

Adding a layer of plywood from a supplier like woodsheets.com, between your existing mattress and box spring or bed frame, is an excellent low-cost option to take the strain off the mattress. The plywood adds a supportive and even base layer that will help firm your mattress up. However, this plywood layer can also reduce airflow, which could cause mold to grow, especially if your mattress is made of foam. Try drilling a few holes through the plywood with a drill like this, to allow for air movement.

Find A Compatible Bed Base

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Bed bases are crucial to your mattress. They provide support and can alter the feel of your bed. For example, memory foam mattresses feel firmer on a box spring and softer on a solid foundation, platform, or adjustable base. When you buy your bed, check with the manufacturer about a compatible bed base to go with the bed. Usually, innerspring mattresses are more compatible with a box spring, while memory foam, latex, and hybrids are compatible with a foundation or platform bed. Some manufacturers may void your warranty if the mattress is not placed on a compatible base.

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Change The Box Spring

The coils of the box spring of your mattress can loose its spring due to wear and tear. If you find that your mattress has lost its firmness, it may be that the box spring needs to be replaced. Since you are getting a new box spring, not only will this add to the firmness of your bed, but it will also add height to it too. For a detailed analysis check out does your memory foam mattress need a box spring?

Get A Mattress Topper/pad

One option is to invest in a mattress pad or topper.

These basically act as another layer of mattress, allowing you to completely change the feel of your product.

Theres a pretty big price range when you start shopping around with these thingssome are under $100, while some might cost you a couple hundred.

It all really depends on your budget, your wants, and your needs.

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Signs Its Time To Get A New Mattress

Unfortunately, the solutions above are temporary solutions. They can help a mattress feel firmer and improve its stability, but they are not going to fix the sagging completely. The only thing that will truly fix your mattress problem is getting a new mattress. Here are some hard and fast rules for when youre way overdue to buy a new mattress that doesnt sag:

  • Your mattress is broken in some way and has springs poking out of it
  • Your bed has a permanent indent of 1.5 or deeper
  • Your mattress is over 10 years old and uncomfortable
  • You can learn more about how often you should replace your mattress in our guide. If you have decided you need a new mattress, check out our list of the Best Bed-In-A-Box Mattresses available online and be sure to dispose of your old mattress properly.

    Will My Warranty Cover Sagging/loss Of Firmness

    Do I Need a Box Spring for my Memory Foam Mattress?

    Almost all warranties cover structural defects and manufacturer errors, and most manufacturers will either repair or replace mattresses with these issues. However, it isnt standard for warranties to cover a normal increase in the softness of the mattress material over time.

    Warranties also dont typically cover normal wear and tear or accidental damage to your mattress. If your sagging is due to faulty craftsmanship, you can probably call in your warranty. However, if your mattress just softened over time, its doubtful your warranty will cover this issue. It never hurts to check with your manufacturer, but temper your expectations if you know your mattress is just another victim of time passage and normal use.

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    Choosing The Right Firmness Level

    A firm bed isnt inherently better or worse than a soft mattress, as both firmnesses can suit different kinds of sleepers. To solve the mystery of your best firmness, you should consider your preferred sleeping position and body type.

    People usually sleep on their sides, back, or stomach:

    • A great mattress for side sleepers should offer a soft to medium feel. Cushioning materials conform to the body for pressure relief, particularly in the shoulders and hips.
    • Good mattresses for back sleepers have a medium-firm to firm feel, bolstering back support. Back sleepers who want a softer mattress should look for a medium feel bed with extra lumbar support.
    • Mattresses for stomach sleepers feature a firm feel with minimal sinkage. Stomach sleepers are more likely to misalign their spines on a softer mattress because of the way gravity pushes down on their bellies, shifting the spine out of its neutral alignment.

    If you frequently wake up in a different position than the one you fell asleep in, youre probably a combination sleeper. A mattress for combination sleeping should offer a medium feel suitable for all positions. It should also have a responsive surface that keeps a person from feeling stuck in bed.

    Weight is a significant factor to consider if you weigh under 130 pounds or over 230 pounds.

    Conversely, plus-size people should look for a mattress firmer than whats recommended to ensure they dont sink too far into the mattress and misalign their spine.

    Tips For Making Your Memory Foam Mattress Firmer

    One too many rough nights of sleepand the back pain that followswill have you searching Google to find out how to make a memory foam mattress firmer. If youre not ready to invest in a completely new mattress, there are a wide range of tips you can try first to make your memory foam mattress firmer including:

  • Flip your bed
  • Beware of moisture
  • Move your mattress
  • If you try all of these tricks, but you still cant get a good nights sleep, it might be time to shop for mattresses designed specifically for firm sleepers. However, before you spend money, make sure you review the below.

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    How Do I Choose The Right Mattress Firmness

    If you’re considering buying a new mattress but not sure which firmness is best for you, it’s all down to preference as everyone sleeps differently. You should choose a firmness level that makes you feel most comfortable and supported. This can be dependent on your body shape, sleeping position and if you share a bed.

    Here’s a brief explanation of each mattress firmness to help you decide which is best for you:

    Firmness

    How Much You Weigh

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    In general, a 200-pound person will have more options when purchasing a mattress than a 300- or 400-pound person, but there are some great options for larger sleepers.

    Support: Can the mattress support your weight without sinking or sagging? Many bigger or obese people carry more weight in the hips and stomach area, making core and surface support of a mattress crucial to a comfortable nights sleep. An internal structure that includes steel coils is more likely to stand up to additional pressure from body weight.

    Preference: Do you like a softer or firmer feel in a mattress? It may be a bit more challenging for heavy sleepers to find a softer mattress that offers a sturdy core structure, but a pillow-top mattress can provide a plush comfort layer without compromising support. Those who prefer a medium feel might opt for a firmer top layer thats thick enough to allow for some sinking of the body. Larger sleepers who like a firm feel can forego a plush comfort layer, but should keep support and pressure relief in mind. A latex surface may work well for a sleeper of this type.

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    Can A Bad Box Spring Cause Back Pain

    Absolutely yes! A bad box spring causes back pain as the mattress loses its shape over time. The deformed mattress can cause discomfort to your body and result in back pain. It also raises a lot of other health concern issues in the long term. Thats why people suffering from acute back pain should avoid sleeping on bad box spring mattresses.

    Get A Mattress Topper

    Contrary to popular belief, mattress toppers are not only used to soften up mattresses but can firm up a mattress as well. However, not every topper can firm-up a mattress.

    Only high-density latex or memory foam toppers can do this. Latex is naturally firmer, so when given a choice between the two, choose latex.

    A firming topper is usually a bit thicker.

    What a topper does is create a uniform surface to lay on. This minimizes the mattress indentations and lumps considerably, giving you a firm surface to lie on.

    Dont pick a mattress pad in place of a topper. Mattress pads are much thinner and wont help with the firmness situation of your bed.

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