The short answer to the question, 'Does bed base affect mattress performance?', is yes. The performance of your mattress cannot be isolated from the quality of the bed base. These two elements of your bed work in tandem to give you the support you need for a perfect night’s sleep. If either is poor quality or not in good condition, you are unlikely to get the restful sleep you need to start your day feeling refreshed.
How does bed base affect mattress performance?
Your bed base serves two main purposes. Firstly, it positions the mattress off the floor, at a height which is convenient to sit on and lie down on, and away from any colder air which might be felt at floor level. Secondly, it holds the weight of the mattress, so that the mattress has consistent support across the full length and breadth. This can be by means of a solid base, welded metal mesh, or strong wooden slats positioned at close intervals so that there is no opportunity for sagging of the mattress.
Your bed base need to be able to have the strength to keep your mattress firmly in place and able to give you the support you need. No matter how good your mattress is, you simply cannot enjoy the full benefits of it unless it is placed on a good quality, robust bed base. If the base of your bed sags or has damaged springs or slats, this will impact the mattress, which will tend to sag with it.
What are the signs that a bed base needs replacing?
If you are starting to feel discomfort in bed or wake up less refreshed, it is time to take a look at your mattress and bed base. If the mattress is not due to be replaced and is a good quality product, it is likely to be the bed base that is causing the problem. However, if it is the bed base that is at fault, you will need to check that the mattress has not been damaged by the base. If there has been prolonged sagging, or if displaced slats have dug into the mattress, It is possible that both the mattress and base will need replacing.
There is a lot of awareness about the life expectancy of a mattress. It is widely accepted that a mattress should be replaced after around 6-8 years, but the bed base often gets less attention, and little thought may be given as to whether the bed base is still in good condition.
If you are using an old divan, or an antique bed frame, it is likely that it would not have been designed to hold the weight of a modern-day mattress. A typical single mattress can weigh around 25-45kg, a double may weigh around 35-60kg, and an average super king will weigh 55-80kg. Older mattresses are often less dense and can weigh a lot less, in some cases because they may contain fewer coils.
What are the different types of bed bases?
Bed bases fall into three main categories: bed frame (or bedstead), divan, and ottoman. A bed frame is usually made from metal or wood, and the base for the mattress will be formed from a sturdy mesh or from wooden slats. A divan bed usually has a rigid platform to support the mattress, but may also incorporate springs in the construction, while an ottoman bed consists of a solid platform which can be lifted to provide access to a storage area underneath.
Our bespoke metal beds are available with a choice of supports in the base; either a metal mesh, or solid pine slats. The elegant Evelyn Wrought Iron Bed can be constructed with either option.
For beds with storage underneath, the platform for the mattress needs to be strong enough to support the mattress fully, but also sufficiently lightweight to be lifted up with the mattress in place on top, in order to access the storage space. For example, the End Lift Ottoman Base from Endurance Beds is constructed from extra solid MDF, which provides strength without excess weight.
Using a high-quality bed base helps to extend the life of your mattress. Inferior quality bed bases can damage your mattress over time, through sagging or snagging, and in the meantime, you are not getting proper support for your body, and particularly for your spine. At Endurance Beds, we handcraft the highest quality bed bases, designed to carry the weight of a high-strength mattress. Choose from robust made to measure beds, including cast iron beds, four poster beds and bespoke fabric beds. All our bed bases are made from premium materials, and incorporate non-slip surfaces to ensure that the mattress is kept securely in place.
The design of our bases is so robust that we do not need to use a middle support in the construction of the bed. This allows for maximum storage space beneath the bed. We produce all our luxury bed bases in the UK, and they are designed to be used with standard UK metric mattresses. We also make our own bespoke mattresses. So confident are we in the quality of our manufacturing that every bed in our entire range is supplied with a 12 year guarantee.
It can be a good idea to buy your mattress and bed base together, so you can be sure that they are a good combination. At Endurance Beds, we offer a 10% discount off the price of your mattress when you choose one from our range at the same time as purchasing one of our bed bases.
For more information on how does the bed base affect mattress performance, and for advice on the best bed base and mattress to suit your needs, contact the team at Endurance Beds today. Our sleep experts are here to help guide you to find the best combination for your perfect night’s sleep.
