The box spring was so universally used up until recently that the term “box spring” won’t die, even though the technology virtually has. Like “hanging up” the phone, the term has survived even though it is no longer relevant in the literal sense. Although a small minority of companies still produce or refurbish legitimate box springs, mattress and bed technology has largely evolved past the need for them. Most foam, latex, and no-flip innerspring mattresses are now designed with an all-inclusive design that requires only a stable, flat surface beneath it. This can be a foundation, a platform bed, or even the floor! Box springs were designed as part of a team, to work with two-sided inner spring mattress to provide a firm, bottom layer of springs that would work and move with the softer, more responsive springs of the mattress. But modern mattress combine a firm, supportive core with a softer, conforming top layer to achieve the same effect in a single, contained unit. This has made mattresses thicker, and also eliminated the need to flip them since they are built differently from the bottom up than the top down.
It has also eliminated the purpose of a separate box spring unit, being replaced by a foundation or platform bed design which usually uses wooden slats directly beneath the mattress. The primary function of a foundation, which is essentially a solid box of wood with metal supports, is to mimic the size and shape of a box spring without the actual springs. The purpose of this it to retain the height of a bed-box spring-mattress setup instead of just using a bed-mattress setup that will likely be significantly lower to the floor. Replace the old mattress and box spring with a new mattress and foundation for a comparable height. Platform beds, on the other hand, are designed to need nothing but the mattress on top. This makes for a more sleek, minimalistic, and Contemporary look, while also being cheaper, requiring one less component. Another benefit of platform beds is that they usually provide storage space underneath, as they often have comparable height to a traditional style bed, but without a box spring or foundation taking up space.
This is usually replaced by drawers or simply open space. Platform beds also have the advantage of more diverse design options. They can sit an inch off the ground, at traditional height, or higher, with virtually no change in comfort and support. The frames can be plain and simple, opulent and complex, or constructed to look just like traditional style beds. This allows for platform beds to achieve virtually any style, cost less, and be more reliable with less parts to wear out and fail. If you are purchasing a memory foam, latex, or no-flip/pillowtop mattress, 99% of the time you do not want a box spring. If you planned to use the box spring from your old mattress, or the seller wants you to buy a box spring to go with the new mattress, do some research and make sure, because chances are the mattress is not designed for use with a box spring. Modern all-in-one mattresses are designed to sit on a solid flat surface, and the springs in a box spring will actually take away from the support and comfort, as well as adding more moving parts to wear out and fail.
If a seller is suggesting you buy a box spring with a new mattress, you should A) make sure its actually a box spring, with springs, not just a foundation that is designed to give your mattress the height of a box spring, B) double check that your mattress is designed to be used with a box spring, because chances are it is not, and C) make sure the seller isn’t trying to unload unneeded box springs on you. Very, very few new mattresses are designed to use box springs! Because, why would they? Platform beds get the job done better in most cases, are cheaper for the customer, and provide much more versatility and practicality in the modern bedroom.Box spring or wood slats? March 14, 2014 Subscribe We just got a nice new mattress. It came with a box spring. We were using our old mattress on an IKEA bed (the Redalen, which I guess they don't sell anymore) with their cheap wooden slats, the Sultan Lade, as support. All things being equal, we'd stick with the IKEA bed and slats.
But are all things equal? Are there advantages to using the box spring instead of the slats?The coil spring mattress traditionally came with its boxspring mate. The two pieces together made up the bed. Now there are other alternatives of foundations for one to place their mattress upon. Depending on the type of mattress, preference of sleeping and type of décor one prefers, the once necessary boxspring may no longer be considered one’s best and only option. Exactly how it sounds, the boxspring is an actual box filled with springs designed as a mate for its mattress to sit on top of. The original design of the boxspring is a wooden box crafted to contain coiled springs that are tied down and covered with cloth to act as a supportive spring bed for the mattress. Spring coil mattresses are designed in coordination with their matching boxsprings so it is typically advised to not mix a spring mattress with a boxspring that was not made to be mated with it. The boxspring and mattress are usually placed on a bed frame.
As a companion to the mattress the boxspring serves three purposes. An important issue to remember when considering the boxspring is that it arrives as a solid piece of furniture the size of the mattress, although King beds often have two split boxsprings. Unlike the mattress it cannot bend at all. This is important to understand when moving a boxspring up a flight of stairs or around tight corners. If purchasing a box spring make sure to measure and verify that you will be able to get it into the bedroom. For those choosing a mattress, other than a coil spring there is no need for a boxspring at all. Even those who still have a spring mattress can opt for a different type of foundation. Although the old box of springs type foundation is no longer the only choice, one will want to still use a foundation for their mattress in order to lift it off the floor and away from dust and allergens and make it a decent height to effortlessly get in to and out of bed. A foundation can be crafted from a solid wood platform or using a frame with wood slats.