Monday, March 18, 2024
HomeMemoryWhat Kind Of Foundation For Memory Foam Mattress

What Kind Of Foundation For Memory Foam Mattress

How Do You Support A Foam Mattress

Mattress Foundations – What’s Best?

There are a few ways to support a foam mattress:

Use a mattress foundation: A mattress foundation is a wooden or metal frame that sits under your mattress and provides support.

Use a box spring: A box spring is a mattress foundation that is traditionally used with innerspring mattresses.

Use a adjustable bed frame: An adjustable bed frame allows you to adjust the angle of your head and feet, which can provide added support for a foam mattress.

Recommended Reading: Cooling Anti-microbial Pillow By Resident

Consider Style And Design

Many foundations will be covered by a bed skirt or other bedding materials, which makes this factor less relevant, but there are some beautiful bed frames that can really serve as a statement piece to your bedroom.

Even if style is not top on your list, youll definitely want to make sure your foundation fits your mattress and fits in your room. If youre planning to use an existing headboard, make sure you map out the dimensions to see if it will still work with your new foundation.

You May Like: Wyoming King Bedroom Set

Twin Size Bed Foundation

38 inches by 75 inches

Twin size mattresses are a popular choice for kids and toddlers who have outgrown their cribs. These mattresses offer enough room to accommodate them as they grow, but wont take up valuable floor space in their bedroom. With a 11 by 12-foot bedroom, a twin bed leaves plenty of open space around the bed.

You May Like: How Do I Know If My Mattress Is Bad

Who Should Buy A Mattress Foundation

There arent many people who wont benefit from a decent mattress foundation. They help to improve the lifespan of your mattress and provide a multitude of other benefits. Wed recommend them for:

  • Extending the lifespan of your mattress -A good quality foundation protects your mattress from damage and tears by keeping it encased.
  • Those looking for a firmer feel to their mattress -The additional support also helps to reduce wear and tear.
  • Restless sleepers – A mattress foundation helps to absorb motion by keeping the mattress stable within its frame.
  • Hot sleepers – A good mattress helps pull heat from the body to prevent sleepers getting too hot. It’ll lift the mattress up and allow more air to circulate under the bed. Breathable fabrics covering the slats or board will also help to vent the mattress.

The Difference Between A Mattress Foundation And A Box Spring

Better Homes &  Gardens 8â? Peaceful Purity Charcoal Gel Memory Foam ...

A box spring is a type of foundation with a wooden frame filled with metal springs and covered in fabric. Innerspring coils are built to absorb impact and support the mattress. However, box springs are not compatible with memory foam or latex mattresses because they dont offer enough support. Plus, steel coils may poke through the foundation and damage the mattress materials.

Box springs also accumulate more dust mites and bacteria than other types of foundations. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, a box spring can quickly become a breathing nightmare.

Other mattress foundations, on the other hand, dont use steel coils. Instead, they rely on metal or wooden slats inside a frame for support. Slats, when spaced 3 inches apart, are better able to withstand continuous wear and tear. You wont have to worry about premature sagging or mattress damage with other foundations, like a platform bed.

Mattress foundations are built to support the mattress and raise the bed. They come in standard mattress sizes to accommodate most beds.

Read Also: How To Firm Up A Memory Foam Mattress

Bed Frame And Mattress Foundation Guide

Learn which bed frames and foundations will protect your mattress from wear, ensure sound sleep, and increase the longevity of your mattress.

Disclosure: By clicking on the product links in this article, Mattress Nerd may receive a commission fee at no cost to you, the reader. Read full disclosure statement.

Once youve chosen the perfect mattress, its important to find the right base. A base, sometimes called a foundation, sits under your mattress to support it and protect it from wear. A quality base will extend the lifespan of your mattress and has the potential to improve your sleep. In fact, many mattress companies require that a specific base type be placed under the mattress in order to file warranty claims.

Read on to learn about the types of foundations available today and which might be right for you based on the type of mattress you own and your personal preferences.

How To Protect Your Foam Mattress

While providing a proper base for your foam mattress is essential to protecting it and extending its lifetime, caring for your it doesn’t stop there. Here are a few more ways you can protect your foam mattress.

  • Rotate and/or Flip Your Mattress Every 3â6 Months. This will ensure that pressure is spread evenly over the mattress, keeping any one part from becoming overly worn.
  • Let Your Mattress Breathe. If possible, choose a breathable support base . This will help extend the life of your mattress.
  • Use a Mattress Cover. Using a cover that’s easy to remove and clean will help keep your mattress in great shape by keeping it from coming into contact with UV rays, promoting good hygiene, and preventing spills from penetrating its dense material.
  • Keep Your Mattress Out of Direct Sunlight. Foam mattresses can break down and turn yellowish when exposed to harsh sunlight, reducing their longevity.
  • Don’t Jump on Your Mattress. This type of sudden and “unnatural” pressure can cause permanent sagging.

Also Check: How Long Does It Take For Puffy Mattress To Expand

Is There A Way To Use A Box Spring With A Memory Foam Mattress

While you shouldnt directly use a memory foam mattress with a box spring, you can still use it to make your bed taller by slipping a bunkie board between your mattress and box spring. Bunkie boards are pieces of plywood or particleboard that are two or three inches thick, which provides a flat surface with enough support to prevent your mattress from sagging.

If you choose to shop for a bunkie board, double-check that its moisture resistant. Since a bunkie board is a solid base, its difficult for air to flow through and remove the moisture that collects at the bottom of your mattress. This is how stinky mold and mildew can grow underneath your mattress.

How Far Apart Should Bed Slats Be

Sealy 10″ Memory Foam Mattress Twin

Bed slats too far apart will not support the mattress correctlythis is especially true with memory foam or latex mattresses since these beds can sag between wide gaps.

Typically, it is best to keep slats no more than 2.75 inches apart. This distance will provide adequate support and keep air circulating through the bed.

Read Also: How Long Will A Nectar Mattress Last

What To Consider When Choosing A Foundation

Selecting a foundation for your mattress will depend on several factors, the most important of which is your mattress type. Here are a few guidelines:

  • For foam and hybrid mattresses, we dont recommend a box spring, since box springs are designed to support innerspring mattresses. Instead, choose a base with solid reinforcement, like a foundation or platform bed.
  • A foundation and metal bed frame is an affordable, simple bed set that raises your mattress off the ground, provides extra storage space and works well with most mattress types.
  • Consider investing in a platform bed if you like a stylized, decorative, or modern look. This will take the place of the bed frame and the foundation, and there are hundreds of options and styles to choose from at a variety of price points.
  • Adjustable bases increase the versatility of your mattress and are a great option if you want to lounge, relax, read, and sleep in your bed.
  • If you have an all-foam mattress, which may sleep warm, consider a slatted foundation or slatted platform base to improve airflow.
  • Dont discount the size of your mattress. If you have a queen, king, or California king, it will require a foundation that can support its weight, especially in the middle of the mattress. See: Best Mattresses for Adjustable Beds

Box Springs And Foundations

While a mattress foundation can look similar to a box spring with its supportive frame, its a completely different product. They provide a solid surface with wooden slats or another sturdy material. The material does not flex under the mattresss weight, with closer spaced slats providing more support. Some foundations come with detachable legs, so that you can place them in a bed frame, much like you would with a traditional box spring.

Foundations and box springs come in low, medium, and standard profiles:

  • A low profile is 5.5 inches or lower
  • A medium profile is 6 to 8.5 inches
  • A standard profile is 9 inches or more

If you purchase a split queen or a split king mattress, you may need to buy a split mattress base. Split mattresses are essentially two separate mattresses pushed together so partners can personalize their side with their favorite firmness. Split mattresses can benefit from extra support in the middle, which a standard foundation may not be able to give.

You can read our mattress foundation sizes guide for more information about choosing the correct foundation size and dimensions.

Dont Miss: Where To Store Extra Mattress In One Bedroom Apartment

Don’t Miss: Which Orthopedic Mattress Is Best

How Tall Should A Bed Frame Be

The average bed height is about 25 for ease of climbing in and out of bed. Consider the thickness of your mattress to decide how tall of a bed frame you need. The thicker/taller your mattress is, the shorter of a bed frame you will need. For thinner/shorter mattresses, you may want a taller bed frame.

Think About Your Space

Better Homes &  Gardens 10â? Peaceful Comfort Memory Foam Mattress ...

If you have a small bedroom, consider choosing a less invasive bed frame and mattress foundation. A metal or solid foundation are both sleek options that wont take up very much room. If you have more space to play with, you may consider a more robust frame or foundation, like an adjustable foundation or a platform bed.

Need more help figuring out what bed size will best suit your space? Check out our guide to mattress sizes.

Don’t Miss: Pillow That Looks Like Your Dog

Zinus Casey 18 Inch Premium Smartbase Mattress Foundation

This steel mattress frame is easily foldable for storage. It elevates the memory foam mattress for 17 inches of extra storage space below. This mattress frame can hold up to 500 pounds and is also compatible with a footboard and headboard.

Zinus designed the frame to remain quiet and reduce motion transfer, which is important whether youre sleeping alone or sharing a bed. Made primarily for memory foam mattresses, the Zinus Casey SmartBase frame differs from a traditional box spring in several ways. For one, this foundation elevates the mattress 18 inches off the ground4 inches taller than the average foundation. It also is made from metal instead of wood, which arguably provides a more sanitary and sturdy foundation. The metal frame is also usually more flexible than woodwood mattress frames are difficult to bend and disassemble.

With an overall size of 80 inches by 60 inches by 18 inches and 36.2 pounds, this frame allows for ample storage space underneath the mattress to reduce clutter and make your bedroom more enjoyable. This mattress foundation is also easy to set up. Most people say it takes about 15 minutes to assemble properly, with no tools needed to put this mattress base together.

Customers can try out this mattress frame for 100 nights. This risk-free trial starts when the frame arrives, which is sent with free shipping. The Zinus Casey mattress frame includes a five-year limited warranty.

What Type Of Bed Frame Is Best For Memory Foam

The best foundation for a memory foam mattress is a bed frame designed for the unique needs of foam. For example, memory foam mattresses tend to work well on platform beds because they offer a sturdy, solid foundation. This kind of base cant be disrupted through simple movement and everyday tossing and turning. At the same time, wood foundations are also a reliable option because theyre sturdy and breathable.

Recommended Reading: What Kind Of Mattress Is Best For Stomach Sleepers

A Better Foundation For Better Support

Buying a new mattress may require a new foundation. Different mattress types may need a specific type of foundation for better support. While box springs used to be the best, other foundations, like platform beds, are longer lasting. Plus, many mattress foundations are designed to fit inside a bed frame or stand-alone.

The best foundation will support your bed based on the mattress type you have. For instance, a platform bed is best for a memory foam or latex mattress. Evenly-spaced slats can better support the denser material without sagging. A foundation can raise your bed away from the floor for storage space. They also allow better airflow through the bottom of the mattress so you sleep cooler.

About the author

Consider Mattress Type And Size

Best Memory Foam Mattresses – Our Top 8 Beds!!

Your mattress plays a crucial role in the type of bed foundation thatll suit you best. That said, most bed foundations can be paired with most mattress sizes, unless you have a specialty size like a twin XL.

Additionally, most bed foundations will also work with any mattress, except if youre considering a box spring foundation. As we mentioned earlier, box springs should only be paired with innerspring beds.

Don’t Miss: Best Cooling Pillow For Side Sleeper

Construction Of A Box Spring

As the name implies, a traditional box spring has a wooden box-like frame filled with steel springs. When used with a traditional mattress, it absorbs the shock from movements, deters sagging by holding up the mattress, and increases the beds height.

The coils or slats inside a box spring are traditionally more than 2.75 inches apart. When used with a foam mattress, the bed is liable to dip between the coils or slats, causing the mattresss materials to lose support and wear down prematurely.

The box spring can also flex under the memory foam mattress, leaving your bed with an indentation in the middle. If your mattress develops this indentation, youre likely to find yourself rolling into the middle of the mattress against your will.

What Mattress Is Best For A Slatted Bed

Most mattresses can rest on a slatted foundationincluding memory or latex foam, hybrid, or innerspring beds. If you have an innerspring mattress and prefer to use a box spring for height, just be sure the foundation can support the weight of the box spring and the mattress.

Because slatted foundations dont add height, only support, if you have a memory or latex foam mattress, or a hybrid, it is best to pair a slatted bed with a bunkie board. Bunkie boards provide both support and height without the use of a box spring.

You May Like: What To Put Under Mattress On Platform Bed

What Type Of Foundation Is Best For Memory Foam Mattresses

When you’re looking for a new mattress, there are typically several very crucial questions to consider and ask yourself, as you venture out to explore which mattresses are right for you and your sleeping needs. One of the most important factors to keep in mind is the type of foundation that is best to accommodate your new mattress. Memory foam mattresses are an increasingly popular choice these days, but there are several different foundations that can be used with them.

A mattress foundation provides stability and support for your mattress and can help increase its lifespan. Depending on which mattress is right for you, there are typically different styles of foundational support options, that will properly accommodate the practicality of the mattress, as well as your own personal desired needs.

When it comes to memory foam mattresses specifically, the most popular option is a box spring, which provides good support and stability. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, consider using a natural latex or wool foundation instead of a box spring. Another option is an adjustable bed base, which allows you to adjust the angle and firmness. Here, we will look into some of these options in-depth, and identify some other key components to help you feel confident around your final decision.

Can I Use A Box Springs On A Bunk Bed

Better Homes &  Gardens 6â? Peaceful Purity Charcoal Gel Memory Foam ...

What do you suggest? We have a box spring for our current mattress and the twin mattresses would go on a bunk bed that is slatted. Would we be able to use those?Brad

Answer:

Thanks Brad you did not tell me a lot about your bunk bed so I will run through a couple possible scenarios. Bunk beds come in one piece designs and two piece designs. One piece versions are what they are: twin over twin or twin over full size bunk beds. Two piece versions can be separated making them more versatile for future use. Separating the top bunk from the bottom bunk allows a person to convert the bunk bed into 2 individual beds we think that these are often better beds for bigger kids, tweens, and teenagers and an excellent way to solve a problem later on down the road.

You May Like: What To Do If My Mattress Is Too Soft

Don’t Miss: Does Casper Pickup Old Mattress

A Mattress Foundation Raises Your Bed To An Optimum Height

Most good memory foam mattresses range from nine to twelve inches that is approximately 23 30 cm for those who think in metric which is just about a foot or less. This is almost always too low for people to sleep comfortably.

A mattress foundation adds at least the same again in terms of height, something that not only helps you sleep more comfortably but also makes getting in and out of bed easier and even safer. If you have ever tried to get up from a mattress laid flat on the floor, you will know what we mean!

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular