Which Mattresses Need A Box Spring

Which Mattresses Do Box Springs Go Best With

Box springs are only necessary for those with an innerspring mattress or those interested in purchasing an innerspring bed. You should not pair a box spring with any other types of mattresses. Doing so can cause mattress damage and void your mattress warranty. Likewise, you cant sleep on an innerspring mattress without a box spring.

Solid Platform Bed Frame

Platform beds use one solid surface that accomplishes the same goal of a box spring foundation, rendering them unnecessary. As a result, platform bed frames are lower to the ground than a traditional mattress, fulfilling a clean, modern aesthetic.

However, older sleepers or sleepers who suffer from joint pain might struggle to get in and out of this lower bed frame. In that case, a box spring can be helpful to raise the mattress.

Reasons To Use A Box Spring

At present, there are four primary reasons for use of a box spring.

1. To extend the life of your mattress

The mattress is the more important, and more expensive, part of the equation. Box springs support the mattress by absorbing physical shock, preventing sagging, and reducing wear and tear.

2. To add comfort

The box spring works together with the mattress to provide a softer more comfortable bed. It cushions and absorbs the shock of body impact and supports different sleeping positions, giving you night after night of better sleep.

3. Ease of getting in and out

With both high profile and low profile boxspring options, a bed higher off the floor requires less bending and is less stressful on the body. Especially as we age, a bed higher up is easier on the joints.

4. Keeping it clean

Dust, dirt, animal hair, allergens, and bugs all congregate at floor level. If the mattress is at floor level, it comes in direct contact with these elements. Raising the bed with a box spring allows air to circulate and keeps the mattress far cleaner.

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Ii Do You Need A Box Spring

While box springs made sense for the traditional innerspring mattresses of yesteryear, mattresses have come a long wayand you also have a few more types of mattresses to choose from now, including memory foam and hybrid.

Whether you need a box spring or not will depend on your mattress and what kind of support you need. Box springs can even be damaging to some types of foam mattresses, so its important to understand what youll need.

Youll need a box spring if

• You have an older innerspring mattress and a traditional metal-rail bed frame, both designed specifically for use with a box spring
• Your manufacturer recommends using a box spring or requires you to do so to keep your warranty valid

On the other hand, you dont need a box spring if

• You have a newer memory foam, latex or hybrid mattress
• You prefer to set your mattress directly on the floor
• You have a box spring alternative, such as an adjustable base or a solid foundation

Lets recap: does a box spring really make a difference, and do you really need one?

With all the alternatives available today, the answer is not always. As long as you have solid support under your mattress, thats whats important.

Check With The Manufacturer

Before you decide to use a box spring with your new bed-in-a-box mattress, check the manufacturer requirements.

Some will say its okay to use a box spring while others warn that using a traditional box spring will void the warranty.

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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.

Mattresses & Box Springs From Amazoncom

Amazons Mattress Store showcases hundreds of mattresses to suit any sleeping style. Sleep is one of the most important aspects in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and a quality mattress that fits your unique sleeping style is an important decision. Browse a wide range of mattress styles to find your ideal bed. Whether you are looking for memory foam mattresses or plush mattresses, you will find a wide and distinctive selection of mattresses from top brands.

Looking for more than a new mattress? How about a box spring as well? Or a bed pillow? A mattress is just one aspect of a good night’s sleep complete your perfect bed by browsing our mattress pads and toppers, as well as our headboards and bed frames. Our Bedroom Furniture Store gives you everything you need to find your perfect sleeping environment.

Do you want to dress up your new mattress, or update your current one? We have a wide range of bedding options to go along with your mattress. Shop our Bedding & Bath Store to find sheets and pillowcases, comforters and sets, duvets, blankets and throws, and much more.

Find your perfect sleeping environment with mattresses and box springs from Amazon.com.

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Wood Slats A High Or Low

Its true, wood foundations are amongst the best bangs for your buck in the bed foundation world!

Not convinced? When compared to a boxspring, add some extra storage space into the mix

When you add 7 inch bed legs to a KD foundation, youll instantly create additional space between the wood slats and floor. This means extra bedroom storage for odds and ends that otherwise would have cluttered up your living space. Check it out:

Because of the storage benefits, foundations made with sustainable wood are a winner for families looking to maximize available living space without splurging on a more costly platform bed. But keep in mind, for the extra space to really become a factor youll need to choose from a higher-profile bed leg like out 7 inch option.

On a structural note, take note of the gap space between each wood slat on the foundation. If youre shopping around, then this is very important. If spaces between the slate of wood are more than three inches apart, itll cause gaps that make your mattress sink. And as we discussed earlier, sinkage is bad! Make sure your wood foundation has slats that are at most three inches apart because this spacing will provide a sturdy, long-lasting infrastructure for your mattress.

Check With Your Mattress Brand

On the other hand, there are some exceptions. Modern mattress brand Saatva suggests that box springs may be used with its mattresses if the box spring is less than 7 years old and has proper center support and the slats are less than 4 inches apart. Helix also approves box springs with its mattresses, but only if slats are less than 5 inches apart and a piece of plywood or other proper center support is added.

Since there’s some variation across brands here, it’s best to check with customer support to find out your own mattress brand’s advice.

It’s also important to do research on the warranty for your mattress. This information can be found on the website of the mattress manufacturer or retailer, or on the tag attached to the mattress. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions so you won’t end up voiding the warranty by using the wrong type of foundation or frame with your mattress.

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May Increase Body Pains

This issue goes both ways. Some individuals may feel better while sleeping on the floor, while others may develop these pains instead.

This is because the floor is stiff, and depending on the comfort and support your body needs, sleeping on the floor might be good or bad for you. Additionally, the quality of your mattress also matters – thinner mattresses may feel too uncomfortable while on the floor.

Do You Need A Box Spring For A Memory Foam Mattress

Its best to employ a box spring alternative if you have a memory foam mattress. If you use a box spring for memory foam mattress, the box spring will sag under the weight of the mattress. A memory foam mattress is much heavier than a coil spring mattress, for which the box spring is made.

The same rule applies to AirFoam mattresses, they are best used with a foundation, platform, or adjustable base. Learn more about foundations here.

You could put your mattress directly on the floor but this would impede air circulation

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Eco Terra Latex Mattresses

The Eco Terra Latex Mattress is a luxurious natural latex mattress that offers you the ultimate comfortable sleeping experience! The overall design of the mattress is one that is specifically made with your well-being in mind. While this flawless combination of comfort and firmness is one that makes for a perfect nights sleep, it must be paired with the right strong and supportive foundation.

Three Eco Terra Mattress benefits that customers love include – no motion disturbance, a cool sleeping surface, and edge-to-edge cushioned comfort.

The warranty for an Eco Terra Latex Mattress requires sleepers to use a supportive mattress foundation. It will enhance this luxurious sleeping experience, and allow sleepers to enjoy all of its benefits.

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.

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No You Do Not Need A Box Spring With A Memory Foam Mattress

Does A Memory Foam Mattress Need A Box Spring? Nectar mattresses employ memory foam, a technological breakthrough that until recently was only available at high price points. Thanks to Nectars dedication to keep their price point down, everyone can now afford the most comfortable mattress at a reasonable cost. Memory foam mattress provides lumbar support better than any previous mattress material, but what else do you need to make the most comfortable mattress into the most comfortable bed? The short answer is no. The long answer is a bit more fun. Heres a breakdown.

What About A Bunkie Board

If youve been Googling bed bases, youve probably come across a bunkie board. Typically found in bunk beds, thus the name bunkie, these boards are designed to work with traditional metal bed frames and provide support to mattresses that are being used without a foundation. A bunkie board is thick piece of plywood used to increase the firmness of box springs. Because of its solid, smooth surface, a bunkie board could be used to support your foam mattress, but may not be as good of an option as something more solid like a foundation, platform bed or adjustable base.

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What Is A Box Spring Base

A box spring base is a popular type of mattress support or base manufactured for a specific mattress size. Its made of a wood frame construction and has springs that fill the void inside the wooden frame. Sometimes a metal grid gets used instead of an array of springs.

The wood frame and springs or metal grid gets wrapped in fabric for both aesthetic and safety reasons. You would use a box spring base with a bed frame designed specifically for a box spring. Box spring bases serve three purposes:

Box spring bases perfectly complement innerspring mattresses as they offer additional support. The only downside is they arent suitable for all mattress types.

There was once a time where box spring bases were all you needed for your mattress. Today, theres a whole host of mattress designs on the market, and many of them dont need or are unsuitable for box spring bases.

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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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 Beautyrest 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.

Collapsible Bed Frame Users

Box springs used to be so popular because they were often paired with collapsible metal bed frames. These frames create an outline for your mattress, but are not reinforced with slats to provide support all along the surface of the mattress.

Thats why box springs were key. They added that extra support to help extend the lifespan of your mattress and keep you comfortably supported while you slept. If you still have a frame like this, you will need a box spring.

If you use a metal bed frame with slats, a platform bed frame, or an adjustable bed frame, you probably will not need a box spring.

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Best Bed Foundations For Latex Mattresses

Even though companies still manufacture box springs, dramatically improved mattress technology has almost nullified their value. The latest beds are designed with inclusive features that render the traditional box spring a need of the past.

Latex mattresses are a great example theyre thicker, more resilient to applied pressures, and anatomically superior to the innerspring mattresses of the past. If youre looking to buy a new bed, then its important you know these details! Box springs are no longer enough if you want reliable support!

The bed foundation comparison table Ive included above will help you get a clearer picture about the differences between box springs and newer, more reliable foundation types. As you consider which foundation is right for you, remember this

Below, Im going to outline important facts about each of the bed foundations listed in the table. So if youre on the fence about which foundation to order with your new mattress, then keep reading. This information will help you choose which foundation best fits your needs.

What Is A Boxspring

A boxspring is a support for your mattress and is typically constructed from a wooden frame, covered in cloth with springs in the middle. It is usually built the same size as the mattress it will support and thats why you often are able to buy a mattress and box spring as a set when you buy a new mattress.

The boxspring fulfills three needs:

These days, the word boxspring is somewhat of a misnomer, because most dont use springs. The term foundation is a more apt description. This has changed in the past decade or two. Up until the early 2000s, most boxsprings used actual springs in them and acted as a shock absorber for the mattress. Now, most mattresses use foundations that are just sturdy, inflexible boxes that support the mattress. These can be made of wood or metal.

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