What Is A Box Spring
A boxspring 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.
Over a decade ago, a box spring was essentially required when buying a new mattress. Today, thats not necessarily the case. While some types of mattresses still require box springs, others do not.
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.
Do I Really Need A Box Spring
Ah, the age-old question of new mattress buyers: to box spring or not to box spring?
Its a question without a simple answer, and what you decide is going to depend on you, your mattress, and the box spring itself. So do you really need a box spring to take home with that brand new mattress of yours? Lets take a closer look and find out.
What is a Box Spring For?
The main functions of a box spring are to absorb the impact of getting in and out of bed every day and giving your mattress a firm surface to rest on, so your body is better supported while you sleep. Plus, of course, they help lift you up off the ground and away from dust, dirt, and allergens that may be floating around down there. Yuck! This can be especially helpful during the summer youd be surprised how much cooler youll sleep with that little bit of extra ventilation!
These days, box springs are a little more advanced than the rickety boxes of the past but they still serve the same basic purpose: providing a little extra support for your body while you sleep.
What Mattresses Work Well with a Box Spring?
Most of them!
A sturdy foundation is an absolute must-have for any and all mattresses, and a box spring is the perfect option. In fact, many mattress warranties require you to use one as a universal standard to prevent unnecessary wear on the mattress.
So Do I Really Need One?
Do I Have To Use A Box Spring On A Platform Bed
Platform beds are created in order to provide the proper support for your foam mattress and keep it under warranty, but they arent only specific to this type of mattress type. Due to their very supportive nature, any mattress can be used upon a platform bed surface, even those that normally require a box spring- without the use of a box spring.
The platform bed is considered a stand alone support for your mattress and can help save you on both space and money. Since the added cost of this type of support is no longer needed with the use of a platform you can put that money into something else you may need. Plus you also dont have to deal with the added bulk of a box spring, and can take advantage of storage platforms if you live where storage is lacking.
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Do You Need A Box Spring With A Bed Frame
If youre using a standard metal bed frameor any bed that provides only a rim around the perimeter to hold the mattress, perhaps with a few cross pieces of wood, that wont provide adequate support for your mattress on its own. To ensure your mattress has the necessary support, as well as to raise it higher, you have to use either a box spring or a foundation.
Who Needs A Box Spring
There are a few cases in which you would need a box spring:
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Box Spring Vs Foundation
Boxsprings are made of coils inside a wooden frame. On the other hand, manufacturers created lightweight, supportive, and solid boxsprings without any coils known as the foundation.
You can use the words boxspring and foundation interchangeably. Both boxspring and foundation offer the same support, the only difference being that one has springs the other doesnt.
What Are The Components Of A Platform Bed
Several components are involved in the construction of a platform bed. Some of those components are required while others are optional.
There are two necessary components of a platform bed: the platform and the legs.
Platform
The platform is the part of the frame upon which the mattress goes. A reliable platform holds up the mattress and is what allows you to use a platform bed without a box spring.
There are several ways to build the platform:
| Platform Build |
Legs / Supports
In the design of these beds, the platform cannot sit flush against the ground, which means that it needs supports underneath it. The minimum amount of support is four legs with one at each corner of the frame.
In addition to those four legs, many platform beds have at least one additional leg for support in the center of the frame. The extra leg or legs in the center provide reinforcement for the platform so that it does not sag in the middle. These legs may also hold up a center support beam that runs from the head to the foot of the bed and underneath the platform.
Optional Components of a Platform Bed
In addition to the platform and supports, there are other optional components that can be built into a platform bed to enhance its functionality and aesthetics.
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Where Can You Buy A Platform Bed
Platform beds are widely available for purchase online. Customers have an extensive selection of brands and models to choose from that reflect the diversity of materials and styles used to build platform beds.
One place to buy a platform bed is directly from a manufacturer. Many mattress manufacturers offer their own bed frames that can be purchased from them without an intermediary. Direct sales can mean lower prices, especially if a platform bed is part of a bundle with a new mattress and/or other bedding.
| Mattress Manufacturer/Brand |
| Leesa Legend |
All of these options are available for purchase online. In addition, platform beds are sold online by third-party retailers, including Amazon, which offers a range of models with different styles and price points.
For people who want to shop in a brick-and-mortar store, mattress showrooms, furniture stores, and department stores are all likely to carry bed frames including one or more options for a platform bed.
Some Brands Make Their Own Box Spring Alternatives
Some companies are creating their own alternatives to box springs. Casper makes a “box spring alternative” called The Foundation that works with its foam mattresses, while GhostBed sells a box spring/metal frame/foundation combo called the All-in-One Foundation. Brooklyn Bedding creates a Ready-To-Assemble Box Foundation that looks and feels like a traditional box spring with the added center support box springs typically lack. Tuft & Needle also makes its own version called the Box Foundation, a product which its site refers to as an upgraded box spring.
One benefit to buying a box spring alternative directly from your mattress company is that you don’t have to worry about whether or not it’s compatible. While some companies recommend using the foundations or bases they manufacture themselves, others suggest that anything sturdy will work, from a box spring to a wooden frame to the floor itself. Again, to know for sure, check the fine print on your mattress.
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Better Mattress Foundation: Platform Beds Vs Box Springs
Though they have a higher upfront cost, consumers who invest in a quality platform bed can save money in the long run for the same reasons we discussed with non-platform wood foundations. They wont break down over time like box springs do.
And depending on the exact model you choose, you may not have to worry about spending more money on a headboard and footboard. Most platform beds come as one unit, meaning the headboard, footboard, and bed frame are all attached as one unit. Keep this in mind as youre considering how much platform beds cost.
Benefits Of Using A Bed Box Spring
- A box spring raises your mattress off the floor so its a comfortable height to climb into and climb out of
- Gives your coil spring mattress a flat and sturdy place to rest
- Could absorb a little motion transfer from the mattress
- Could extend the life of your coil spring mattress
- Lightweight and easy to move
- Looks warm and cozy
A box spring is best used with a coil spring mattress
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More Box Spring Alternatives
When youre shopping for the best foundation for a memory foam mattress, youll have a range of options. There are platform beds, panel beds, and adjustable bases, to name a few.
Just remember to check that your choice has the support a memory foam mattress needs. You might also want to check the height of the under-bed area, to calculate the amount of storage space the bed provides.
Bed Frames That Do Not Require A Box Spring
Unless the mattress warranty tells otherwise, the answer to the question do you need a box spring? with the following bed frames is NO.
If youre using any of these bed frames, its not necessary to add box spring :
- Solid platform frame. It plays the same role as the base and provides a stable base that makes sure your mattress is not sagging prematurely.
- Platform frame with slats. Different from a solid platform frame, it uses slats to form the base for your mattress.
- Adjustable frame. Its quite evident that box spring would not work together with an adjustable bed frame and would only interfere with its functionality.
- Reinforced metal frame. Reinforced frames add additional support from side to side and make sure that the weight of your mattress is distributed evenly.
Therefore, if while reading this article, you answered the question – do you need a box spring? negatively, these bed frame options are exactly what you need.
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How Long Will An Innerspring Mattress Last
The coils in an innerspring mattress can wear down over time, losing their ability to maintain or spring back to their full, original height. When this happens, the mattress begins to sag and falter in supporting your body.
With traditional innersprings, an average lifespan was around five years, but with most modern innersprings, including our top picks, we expect a lifespan of 6-8 years and perhaps more.
Several factors can influence the longevity of an innerspring:
- Amount of stress placed on the bed: When there is more body weight applied or more force , it can wear out springs more quickly.
- Thickness of the coils: Lower gauge coils are thicker and tend to last longer. Quality of steel: tempered steel is stronger than non-tempered steel. Some innersprings use steel that is tempered twice to further reinforce the coils.
- Style of coils: When coils cant move as independently, such as in bonnell coil systems, the impact of weakened coils can be felt across a larger section of the mattress.
- Design of the comfort layer: The number, thickness, type, and durability of the layers placed above the coils can influence how much stress is placed upon the support core. In addition, if the comfort layer is made with low-quality materials, it may start to wear out even before the springs.
Box Springs Vs Platform: Key Differences
Platform beds are sturdy, supportive and affordable. They look pretty stylish too, combining a foundation with a frame. They also tend to be lower to the ground with a height of anything from a few inches up to 1ft. So if you struggle to get in or out of bed easily, then a platform might not be for you.
Platform beds typically have a stable surface with wooden slats, and provide adequate airflow for most types of mattresses. However, if you are using an innerspring model, you might prefer the feel of a box spring as a platform bed can be quite firm. Many platform beds also come with added storage drawers built in, which is ideal if youre short on space in your bedroom.
Sleep innovator Purple makes a Platform Bed Frame thats suitable for use with hybrid and foam models, including its own .
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Raises The Mattress From The Ground
Sometimes, placing your mattress directly on the ground can make sleeping uncomfortable, and cause back pains. For example, if your mattress is thin, you may feel the stiffness of the base through it, so it wont offer the back support you might need.
The stiffness increases pressure on your joints and back, causing discomfort while sleeping. A box spring not only elevates the mattress off the ground, but also provides a bouncier and medium-firm surface for your comfort.
Are Box Springs Necessary
A box spring will complement your coil spring mattress very well. However, you can place your coil spring mattress on most bed foundations. Memory foam, latex, coil spring, hybrid, and AirFoam mattresses will be comfortable on a:
- Foundation
- Platform
- Adjustable Base
You could put your mattress directly on the floor but this would impede air circulation, therefore, limiting your mattress lifespan. If you enjoy having your mattress on the floor, put the mattress on its side now and then to air out. A good time to do this is when youre changing the bedclothes.
The important thing to remember is that your mattress is on a sturdy flat surface. An inadequate mattress foundation could have a serious impact on your sleep health and physical health, if there is any sagging in your mattress it could put your spine out of alignment, exacerbating aches, pains, and limiting your quality of sleep.
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Our Box Spring Options
We always recommend you purchase a new box spring at the same time you buy a new mattress. If you didnt, or you feel you need a change later on, you can also buy one separately. We have an entire section of our website dedicated to helping you find a new box spring! Whether youre looking for a Queen box spring, King box spring, Full size box spring, or Twin box spring- we have it!
Beyond being offered in any size you could possibly need, this box spring comes with a low profile option. This means the foundation is only 6 inches, rather than the traditional 9 inches. Some people choose this for aesthetic purposes, while others simply have an easier time getting into bed when its closer to the ground. Some of our mattresses are quite thick and can be difficult for senior citizens to climb onto when paired with a further 9 inches of foundation. Thats why we offer both!
When you want the best sleep possible, you want to create the ideal sleep system. This means thinking hard about more than just the mattress. You love your Simmons Beautyrest mattress, and youll love the brands box spring too! The Beautyrest foundation provides exceptional support and reduces motion transfer for an undisturbed night’s sleep. Crafted with durability in mind, the Beautyrest foundation is built with top quality wood and solid steel struts.
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What Are The Height Options For A Box Spring
The standard height of a box spring base, also called the high profile option, is 9 inches high. The medium profile ranges between 6 and 8 inches high, while the low profile can be 5.5 inches or lower.
These height differences do not change anything about the support the boxsprings provide. In most cases, the choice purely depends on a buyers preference, such as the aesthetic appeal of their bed.
Does An Eco Terra Mattress Need A Box Spring
The Eco Terra Natural Hybrid mattress works well with any strong supportive base, including a box spring. You dont need to worry about buying a new foundation for your mattress if you already have a bed frame thats compatible with a box spring. All you need to ensure is that your new Eco Terra natural Hybrid mattress is well supported during use.
Also, if you have a platform bed, you dont need additional support from a box spring. Platform beds already have adequate support from the wooden slats, the headboards, and the footboards. Simply position your new mattress correctly on the bed to enjoy a luxurious sleep.
The Eco Terra Mattress is also compatible with most adjustable beds in the market because of its flexibility. The hybrid is made of all-organic latex, cotton, and wool to infuse the best of these qualities into your mattress. The latex is for flexibility, breathability, and support, while the cotton and wool provide the perfect cushioning with a touch of luxury. Thus, most types of mattress foundations are very compatible with the Eco Terra Natural Hybrid mattress.
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