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Do I Need a Box Spring for My Bed?
The process of finding and buying a new bed can be frustrating. Do you need a frame with a mattress, or a platform bed? What kind of wood should I be looking for when browsing frames or box springs? How important is the mattress in comparison to the frame?
With so much advancement in modern sleep structures, you could even be asking yourself, “Do I need a box spring?” Box springs are great for added support and stability, but can be a bit cumbersome to move and relocate. Since there are so many different kind of box springs on the market, it may be hard to determine what make, size and style you should even be considering.
Box springs are a more traditional approach to adding structure to a framed bed with a mattress. Although they are heavy, people have used them for years due to their durability and firmness. Depending on the mattress you’re using, these could be a great addition to your sleep space or an awful accessory.
Still confused as to whether or not you need a box spring? Don’t worry! We break all the info down for you in this article. By the end of it, your opinion on whether or not you need a box spring should definitely be clearer! Keep reading for more information!
Table Of Contents
What is it and is a Box Spring Necessary?
It is basically is a series of vertical springs housed in a frame (typically wooden) shaped like a mattress. These could be considered as a sort of platform for a mattress, but should not be considered a platform bed – the two are entirely different. A platform bed is a more modern concept, where a bed with a box spring is a bit older and traditional.
They help elevate mattresses and depending on the type of model you get, could help with support and durability. Newer versions of the supportive structure can sometimes include metal or wooden rods to act as support beams for the actual mattress. Since most mattresses today don’t require them, these mattresses are heavier and can be considered an all-in-one unit.
However, these things do still exist for a purpose. If you don’t want to go spend a lot of money on a fancy mattress, a good supportive unit could help you achieve that support a more expensive mattress offers due to its firmness. Think of it as a skeleton mattress, if you will. They lay the foundation or “bones” for the actual mattress so you don’t sink into the mattress or have to lay the mattress on the floor for support.
Also, there have been people who ask do you need a box spring for a bunk bed and the answer is no. Most, if not all, bunk beds come with slats. These are narrow strips of wood that line the base of each bunk for the mattress to sit on. So, no worries!
Likewise, we’ve had people ask do you need a box spring with a platform bed and the answer is also no there, as well. A Platform bed is basically a solid box for your mattress, so you don’t need anything else unless you wished to add height.
Benefits of a Box Spring
They really are great if you want to elevate your mattress. Elevating a bed helps when getting out of it, especially for someone with back or joint issues. Some people prefer to skip out on a bed frame altogether and just set a high box spring right on the floor. Obviously, for more elevation, you’d want to set that box spring on an actual bed frame to get it even farther from the floor.
They can also help absorb motion and reduce bed movement. If you sleep with a partner who likes to move around a lot in their sleep, this could be a benefit since you won’t feel as much motion from your partner. Depending on the make of the model, you could get a sturdier version of it outside of the traditional wooden slatted type. For example, box springs that contain steel rods instead of the standard wooden beams could be a bit sturdier for that person who likes an extra firm bed to sleep on.
They also can help reduce the actual bounce of a mattress, even though the word “spring” is in it’s name. The springiness comes from the actual support coils instead of the mattress. These strong, typically metal, coils absorb that shock factor of movement so this would be an ideal addition to a sleep space for someone who prefers not to feel bounciness in a bed. This can also help if you’re elderly and have trouble getting out of a standard springy bed.
Downsides to a Box Spring
One of the biggest downsides to a box spring is how heavy they are. Since they are built to support a mattress and sleepers, the box spring is typically made of heavy, strong wood, metal or steel. The box also has coils that will add weight to the actual structure since the coils are meant to help absorb movement. With that being said, they’re still not as heavy as a mattress.
Moving a box spring around could be difficult for one person or the elderly. You’d definitely need help moving this heavy item around since it cannot be done safely by one person alone. If you live alone, you may need the help from neighbors or a friend to move the box around. It could also be cumbersome if you’re someone who travels a lot or moves location for work frequently.
These guys can also be too firm for a bed setting. As stated earlier, there are so many mattresses to choose from these days and so many of them come as an all-in-one package. This includes being firm enough to begin with. If you add a box for elevation, for example, to an already firm mattress, the combination could be way too firm and create an awful bed to sleep on. This could be especially damaging for people who suffer from back or joint pain.
Conclusion
Overall, you need to decide the type of mattress you’d prefer before committing to spending money on a supportive structure for your bed. If you’re buying a more expensive, highly durable mattress, odds are you could be throwing money away on an expensive model. If you’re buying a pretty standard mattress and need some elevation and added support, a box spring could definitely help you in these departments.
According to tons of online mattress sites, there are plenty of companies that manufacture beds without box springs, while others still see the need for them. So, in other words, box springs will be around for a while.
Have any experience or feedback on using a box compared to other types of bed setups? We’d love to hear about them! Feel free to share your experiences, comments and insight on box springs in the comments! Maybe a box spring is the key to your next best sleep ever.
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