by Redcatcec
Asked on Nov 14, 2020
Box Springs?
+42
Answered
How important are they? We had a 9" tall box spring that came as part of a set. They made the bed too tall to get into, so I removed the wood frame from the box springs. That corrected to a better height, no longer trying to climb into bed. Now the pillow top mattress 13"-14" is lacking in support, kinda mushy, yet not uncomfortable. What do we need to look for in a new box spring? Is there a difference in quality and support? The set is about 10 years old & is is a queen size bed.
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Hi Redcatcec: What you do is to get some sheets of plywood to put under your mattress. Of course that will make it a bit firmer, but it will work. Get a piece, or pieces, about 1/4" or thicker. You can put 4 pieces of 4" wide by 1/2" thick boards to support the plywood, one at each end and 2 towards the centre. I did this for my mom and it worked out well for her. She loved a firmer bed. Good luck
Sounds like a good plan you made come true for your mother, thanks for the good idea.
Yes. Removing the wood frame off the box spring compromised the support it provides to the mattress. What I did for my bed and granddaughters bed is replace the box spring with a sheet of 3/4" plywood. Lowered the height but still provided full support to the mattress. If you need extra height you can make a platform out of 2X4's and plywood to fit the bed frame.
Hey William, great idea, since the height was an issue, I thought reducing the springs was a good idea and it helped as far as the climb in situation. Not so much as far as the comfort. Right now we have a bottom piece of 3/4" plywood and it works well, will remove the raggedy box springs and see how that goes. Thanks for your help.
A solid foundation is all that's needed - a solid piece of wood or slats. Here's a link with an explanation:
https://sleepingorganic.com/need-box-spring-mattress-alternatives/
Hi Ann,
Will remove the compromised box springs and see how it goes. Thanks for your help & the interesting link.
Hello. I understand your situation with the bed height being too tall it is been a problem in my residence as well. I was using bed risers to-obtain much needed under bed storage.
I did recently upgrade to a new steel bed frame with a 14 inch height so that I was able to obtain under bed storage. I did away with the boxspring and bought a new queen mattress suitable for this frame.
You may want to try to substitute a backer board -something like plywood sheet to give your mattress some support. That’s th system we has in our dormitories years ago.I hope you find the perfect situation to remedy your problem.
Currently there is 3/4" plywood sheeting under everything and it has held up well. Thank you for your personal input on this situation, love to hear your stories. Will remove the compromised box springs and give it a go.
According to my doctor, a good foundation is more important than the mattress. Try a low profile one or build a solid surface from plywood for a support system.
Try putting the plywood between the mattress and box springs. That will boost the support of the box springs.
Hello Redcatcec,
Comfort when you lay on it!
Well, the bed was comfortable when the box springs were fully functional, it was the nightly climb that got to me. Fashion vs form, simply put. Guess pretty soon, we will try with the springs gone. Thanks for your input.
You can buy box springs that are only a couple of inches tall. Or you can get slats for your bed. You’ll want to do one so your mattress is supported and doesn’t sink. Or could you lower your bed frame?
In the bed frame the slats on the bottom, right over that is a sheet of 3/4" plywood, then the busted up springs and a thick mattress. The only level of box springs we have seen are 5" and they looked like they were lacking in many ways, so no go on them. Will remove the spring set and put the mattress on the plywood and see how that goes. Thanks for your help.
They sell low profile box springs now to accommodate for the higher mattresses. I believe the lowest is 4-5 inches. Makes a huge difference.
Sounds like a plan!
What you want is a "low profile" box spring that is only about 4 inches high, or you can use plywood under the mattress.
Thanks, Em, at first the bed was too high, and now with the altered box springs it is the right height, it is just the comfort is inconsistent. We were able to locate a 5" box spring , which is the right height but it looked cheaply made. We will try the mattress only and see how it goes minus any springs, if just awful will seek out a better low profile box spring. Right now there are slats on the very borttom of the bed, layered up with a 3/4" sheet of plywood, then the springs and topped with at 13-14" mattress. Thank you for your input.
You can make a plywood support for the mattress. Use slats across the width of the bed, than add plywood or OSB to support the mattress. You can always raise the level of the mattress by adding more wood between slats and plywood. Example would be a 2x4 frame flat to get 1.5" or on edge to get 3.5". A 2x6 frame can get you up 5.5".
Another option is get get a small stool or platform to make it easier to get into bed. Gravity will get you out. I built a small platform to help my wife get into bed after back surgery.
My platform was only about 3" tall. 2x4 on short side plus 3/4" plywood on top and bottom. I used rug non-skid under platform.
Many new mattresses dont need a box spring. A frame with the correct height for you will work just fine
Thanks Annie for your input. We have heard of inner spring mattresses, just not ready to replace ours yet. Considering risers as a fix also.
Hello Redcatcec, you can use a solid base to give your mattress firmness and help support it, new mattresses are not so reliant on box springs nowadays, Comfort matters most, I removed the box spring from our mattress set when we go a new platform bed, it is holding up well and is easier to get into be , no step stool required.
I hear you! Ours was much too high
We use platform beds and don't use boxsprings at all!
Thanks for your input, it is appreciated.
I have a 4 inch box spring. It is necessary for mattress support. Or try a platform bed frame no box spring. Ikea has them so does amazon or Wayfair
You are very welcome, I know Ikea has low platform beds. May be the best choice for you.
If box springs are needed somewhat depends on your mattress frame. I bought one that doesn't need a box spring. This is due in part to the construction. For more info and to see pics go to amazon and type mattress frames into the search engine.
The frame I have gives me 14 inches of clearance under it for storage.
Hi Mogie,
The bed frame is a big clunky wooden one, there is depth of about 5 plus inches or so for a box spring. The issue was the height of the bed, so I tore down the box spring, now the height is good, but the comfort level has dropped. What I think I am going to try is the bed with the box spring removed and it already has a 3/4" sheet of plywood under it, and slats (side to side) on the very bottom resting on the frame.
I like your idea of a frame that does not need a box spring and I will check out Amazon, 14" clearance from the floor is terrific. Thanks for your help.
you need a support of some kind to keep your mattress supported - use plywood or wooden slats on the frame of the bed
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/317081629997311237/
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for the great link!
Hello Redcatcec,
You don't have to buy a Box Spring Base at all. You can buy a slatted Wooden Bed Base, or Divan Base, or make your own with Old Pallets. Good luck
Hello Johnavallance,
The bed right now has slats going side to side and a 3/4" sheet of plywood on thop of that. We will remove the box spring and try the mattress on the plywood and see how that goes. Thanks for your help on this problem.
Do a search for foldable metal platform bed frame. I got mine from Amazon, but Walmart also has them. No need for a box spring.
Box springs have not been changed or improved basically since invented. To me they are completely worthless and so cheaply made. No more box springs for me, platform beds actually provide better support for the mattress than a box spring on the standard bed frame. You can still attach a headboard if you prefer.
A foldable metal platform bed sounds interesting, I will look it up on Amazon. Thanks for your help.
You don't have to have a box spring, but you will need support. There are several box spring alternatives that will provide a better foundation for your mattress to rest on. Alternatives like platform beds, wood foundations, and adjustable beds are longer-lasting than boxsprings
HI Chloe,
Right now we have the idea we'll try the mattress on the 3/4" plywood that is already in place, supported by side to side slats. It may be too low. If so, then we can go to low box springs, bed risers, or build a frame. Thanks for your ideas, they are appreciated.
My bed doesn't allow for box springs either. My husband had a great idea. We bought enough 3/4 inch particle board to cover ehere the slats go. Big difference!
Hi Lori,
Thanks for your tip on how to remedy this problem, your husband had a great solution for you and it worked.