Factors to Consider Before Buying Your Mattress and Bed Base

The purchase of the mattress and box spring is essential for the quality of sleep. It is, therefore, better to take the time to find out beforehand, and always choose one according to the other. Here are some tips to help you.

Mattress and box spring: an inseparable couple

Why do you need a box spring under the mattress?

It is strongly discouraged to place a mattress on the floor:

– for hygienic reasons: the floor will encourage condensation, which will allow mould to settle under the mattress;

– for comfort reasons: the box spring contributes to the support, and therefore to the comfort of the mattress. The seat height of a bed with a box spring makes it easy to get out of bed;

– for a longer service life: the box spring acts as a shock absorber, saving the mattress from wear and tear which otherwise would set in more quickly on hard ground.

Mattresses and box springs: group purchases

It is advisable to buy the box spring at the same time as the mattress. Indeed, the unbalanced support of the mattress on a tired box spring will quickly deform it.

In addition, it is better to choose a box spring of the same brand as the mattress because the related box spring will reinforce and support the mattress technology.

It is obvious that the life span of a rigid box spring is longer than that of a box spring actively involved in support. But an active box spring gives hope that the mattress will last 10 years, while a firm box spring will exhaust the mattress more quickly.

For self-contained waterbeds, a box spring with balanced support does not need to be changed.

The right mattress for you is an important investment for your well-being. Therefore, you should choose a comfortable box spring according to the mattress.

This may not seem obvious, but it is advisable to choose a box spring according to the type of mattress you have (or vice versa). There are 3 main types of box springs.

The slatted bed base

The slatted bed base consists of a wooden bed base and wooden planks placed perpendicular to the length of the bed. It can be of the monolithic, biblast or triblast type. Plastic studs (with or without firmness adjustment) can also be fitted to some slats to improve local flexibility, or to all slats to increase the morphological adaptation capacities of the bed base.

Covered with foam and fabric, the box spring with tapestry slats (often with large rigid slats) is available with a spring mattress, as it is cheaper than the box spring. Its association with a latex mattress is not recommended for ventilation reasons.

This type of box spring is suitable for:

– classic foam mattresses;

– foam mattresses with shape memory foam;

– latex mattresses;

– autonomous waterbeds;

– spring mattresses in the upholstered versions.

This box spring balances the support of the mattress you have chosen. The slatted bed base can be rigid, flexible or have more flexible or adjustable areas of rigidity (at the shoulder and lower back)

For autonomous waterbeds that are air-conditioned, the sole function of the box spring is to allow easy lifting.

The spring base

The spring base is a base that has springs inside and is naturally suitable for spring mattresses and wool mattresses: it will enhance the suppleness and softness of your mattress.

This type of box spring is suitable for:

– all spring mattresses;

– classic foam and/or shape memory mattresses if they are not curved or hollowed out for more balanced support;

– latex mattresses to a lesser extent, due to possible ventilation problems;

– autonomous waterbeds.

The electric box spring

The electric bed base will allow you to raise the top and/or bottom of your bedding by using a remote control.

As it rises, the surface area of the footboard section is reduced. Therefore, the minimum recommended length is 200 cm to prevent the user’s feet from protruding from the mattress.

Designed for a single bed (a mattress), there is a width of up to 140 cm for one person. In a double bed (two mattresses), the minimum recommended width is 160 cm (2 × 80 cm). Few manufacturers offer mixed double berths (a motorized bed base and a fixed bed base).

The types of electric box springs are equipped with:

– 1 motor for the back part and a mechanical lifting of the feet without the possibility of bending the knees;

– 2 motors with a fixed zone at the pelvis, two or three zones at the back and head (fixed or two-part headrest) and two zones at the bottom of the bed to bend the knees;

– 3 motors, the third motor allowing to lift the box spring like a hospital bed;

– 4 motors, these top-of-the-range slat bases allow a personalized adjustment of the different parts of the slat base.

The electric box spring is suitable for:

– relaxation mattresses made of classic foam and/or memory foam;

– latex relaxation mattresses;

– foam mattresses of all types that are not too rigid (recommended thickness 14 to 20 cm);

– spring mattresses, but only with the model proposed by the mattress manufacturer.

The electric box spring is not suitable for stand-alone waterbeds, unless it is used as a fixed box spring.

So, hope the above will help you out in deciding which type of bed best suits your needs. You may wish to visit Atlantic Fine Furniture and check their line of adjustable bed foundations.

For more information and tips, do not forget to share your experience in the comment section below.