Making a bed yourself is a very labor-intensive process, during which you need to know the intricacies of choosing a truly durable material. But it’s not enough to build a strong frame: you also need to know how to choose a base for the bed. We will help you understand this issue in this article. We recommend that you do not ignore the sections below, as you risk missing important nuances.
Plywood sheet for bed base Source livemaster.ru
What is a bed base and its structure?
A bed base is a special type of structure, without which the existence of a sleeping place is impossible. The structure serves as a place for laying the mattress. Can be attached to the main frame or simply packaged separately.
All the details that are present in the design, and this is: the place for the mattress, the mattress itself and the frame itself, play one role - they provide comfortable support for the body of a sleeping person.
A lattice base made of boards is simple, not orthopedic. Source postroysamdom.ru
What to choose - a frame made of wood or metal?
Modern orthopedic bases usually use frames made of two materials:
- The metal frame is a solid, durable steel structure made from a metal profile, designed for long-term use. Difficulties may arise when bringing it into a house or apartment due to the impossibility of disassembling it into parts. In this case, a collapsible version of such gratings can help, but it is inferior to all-welded ones in rigidity.
- Wooden frame is a natural structure made of solid wood, characterized by low cost, low weight, and environmental friendliness. Usually it is a collapsible frame.
Many buyers are interested in sleeping places equipped with a lifting mechanism. Such models are able to bring order and ergonomics to the placement of things and free up part of the living space. However, it should be taken into account that such bases must be equipped with special mattresses, the choice of which is best left to specialists.
Types of bases: orthopedic and solid
There is a lot of controversy about which base is best to choose for a homemade bed. Many believe that ideally it is orthopedic, as it will be beneficial. Others say that it will be solid and will last longer. Let's look at this in more detail.
Frame and base made of decorated durable plywood for a one-and-a-half bed Source fdforp.com
Criterias of choice
The bed is one of the main pieces of furniture. A high-quality orthopedic bed base cannot be too cheap, especially if there are additional functions. It is better to purchase all structural elements from one manufacturer.
The bed frame can be anything. The main load is carried by the base. Options with a soft headboard and sides are very popular. This product is a real interior decoration. A modern metal bed with an orthopedic base looks stylish. Consumers are often offered the option of having one headboard; this design is modern and easy to use.
Before purchasing a base for a bed, you should decide on the width of the product, the type of lifting mechanism, the characteristics of the bed (with adjustable rigidity, the ability to change the angle of inclination of the head and foot parts), and the optimal cost of the model.
In the store you need to carefully inspect the design. All elements must be of high quality. You should contact trusted manufacturers. It is worth assessing the following criteria:
- the quality of the lamellas, they must be free of chips, knots, and cracks;
- the lifting mechanism must operate smoothly without jerking or jamming;
- presence of legs in the kit (for some models they are purchased separately);
- Lat holders firmly fix the slats;
- frame build quality - a well-made structure does not creak.
The base must be strong and reliable. Manufacturers offer products in a wide price range; it is easy to choose an option that suits individual needs. It is especially important to choose products for children or elderly family members. After all, an uncomfortable bed can cause back pain, poor posture, cause insomnia and poor health.
Material of manufacture
Product dimensions
Serviceability of the lifting mechanism
Trusted manufacturer
Which bed base for a mattress is better to choose?
The bed frame can be anything, but if you have decided to make the base wooden and do not know what is better than plywood for the bed or slats, we suggest reading the details below, which will eliminate doubts.
Using durable plywood under a bed mattress Source s3.amazonaws.com
Flat plywood (solid)
Sheets of plywood, which will later be used to complete the bed, in addition to sanding, are additionally coated with decorative substances and impregnations that protect the surface from harmful external influences. Such a panel is placed on the bed after complete drying. It can be fixed or simply laid hermetically. Since a solid sheet is much heavier, it exhibits its orthopedic properties worse.
But flat bases continue to be in demand, as they are easy to manufacture and quite versatile, as they are suitable for beds of different sizes and can withstand any type of mattress.
Important! This type of base is ideal for people suffering from spinal diseases. In such cases, you need a strictly rigid surface without springing or moving.
The use of perforated solid plywood for a bed Source poisk-mastera.ru
Lamellar base
The design of individual lamellas is considered a novelty in the technology of manufacturing bedroom furniture. It is usually made from beech or birch, sometimes walnut is used. The lattice base can be purchased ready-made on a wooden or metal frame. There are even designs where the orthopedic base is attached to a lifting mechanism.
Orthopedic slats for a double bed Source fastbox.su
The production of such lamellas is carried out using several unchanged standards. These include:
- thickness - 6-8 mm;
- width - 63 mm;
- fastening in increments of 70-80 mm.
As for the length of each plank, it should be slightly less than the width of the inside of the bed frame. It is also considered a significant advantage that a bed with a collapsible base is easy to transport, move, and, if necessary, restore. Also, such furniture is easier to disassemble and assemble.
Types of lath holders and lamellas
The task of the lattice base is to transmit and absorb forces from the mattress, as well as to correctly distribute body weight and the load on the spine. Slats made from birch or beech veneer, steamed using special technology, can cope with this task perfectly. There are beech slats, they have increased strength, so their price is higher than birch slats.
When making slats, manufacturers use slats with a width of 3-10 cm, rarely 11-12 cm. During the fastening process, the slats are placed at intervals of 3-8 cm. The narrower the slats, the smaller the distance between them. The standard number of lamellas usually reaches 14-15 pieces.
Orthopedic lamella bases are usually divided into 2 types:
- With wide lamellas
The width of the slats is usually 5 cm or more, the distance between the lamellas is more than 4 cm. Wide lamella bases are suitable for mattresses without springs or with hard filling. - With narrow slats
A universal type of base, the most durable: slats 3-5 cm wide are used and the distance between them is no more than 4-5 cm. Suitable for all modern types of mattresses, it is recommended for the best orthopedic effect.
Some modern modifications are designed to regulate rigidity by moving plastic linings along the slats.
Types and features of holders:
- Rubber overlays
Withstand considerable loads due to shock absorbers, do not creak under the weight of the body. - Plastic overlays
are quite durable, but have a load limit that users should consider. - Mortise
usually made of plastic. Characteristic for bases with wide slats.
Classification of slatted bed bases
Having decided that the slatted design for the bed is best suited, it is advisable to disassemble its existing types. There are only two of them: with and without a stiffness regulator.
Double bed with slatted orthopedic base Source proraboff.rf
In the first case, the capabilities of the bed expand. The design is able to change the level of rigidity in each specific zone to enhance the level of comfort during sleep. The change in basis occurs at several points:
- head and shoulder areas;
- middle back, pelvis;
- hips, knees, feet.
Also, at the stage of choosing a frame, we recommend deciding what structure the mattress will have. If you purchase a slatted base in a store, be sure to tell the consultant which mattress you prefer.
Recommendations for choosing an orthopedic base
Type of mattress
If the mattress is without springs and/or it is of high rigidity, then you can choose a base with slats, the gap between which is 3-4 cm or even more. In general, these are mattresses with wide slats. If the mattress is springless, but soft, or the mattress is equipped with an independent spring block, then the choice should be made on a modification with slats located no more than 4-5 cm from each other, that is, on models with narrow slats.
The golden rule of choice: the smaller the distance between the slats, the better.
Dimensions
You should think about the matching dimensions of the base and mattress in advance. If the mattress does not fit in size, then the owners are guaranteed a lack of comfortable rest due to the mattress moving out. The lattice must be purchased in exactly the same dimensions as your mattress. No more and no less. If you still have any doubts, consult our specialists.
When purchasing a bed, obtain from the seller recommendations and actual dimensions for purchasing a mattress and orthopedic base.
Choose the best orthopedic base for a good night's sleep and a relaxing rest on your favorite bed!
If the bed is for children: how to decide on the choice
For such cases, a number of individual features apply. After all, for the correct formation of a child’s spine, he needs healthy sleep, and only an orthopedic surface can provide him with this, no matter what position the child is in.
For example, a slatted base in combination with an orthopedic mattress must be chosen correctly; the distances between the slats and the thickness of each of them must be observed. Also pay attention to the following nuances:
- The location of the lamellas on the frame should have an average distance of +- 80 mm. If it is wider, then some of the design features of the mattress will simply fall inward and the structure will gradually collapse. If the distance between the slats turns out to be too narrow, then the orthopedic properties of the structure will not manifest themselves correctly.
- The optimal width of the lamellas is 63 mm. If they are laid over the entire area of the bed frame, then these parameters are sufficient for the base to serve as a reliable support for a long time.
- The edges and shape of the elements must be perfectly even and smooth. After all, when using the mattress, it will inevitably create friction with the lattice, and uneven ends will lead to damage to the fabric that contains the mattress. You can put on a mattress cover; this will only delay the process of damage to the fabric shell of the mattress, but not for long.
Important! For a children's bed, mattresses of a springless type or those consisting of natural latex can be chosen. These cannot be laid on a lamella base; therefore, you will have to limit yourself to a flat one.
Dimensions of anatomical bases
The choice of anatomical base should be determined not only by cost and design features, but also by size. It is extremely important that the frame matches not only the length and width of the mattress, but also the bed itself - otherwise its installation will be impossible.
Today, the parameters of anatomical bases correspond to the sizes of mattresses for various purposes, so choosing the right model is not difficult. Careful measurements of both the mattress itself and the inside of the bed will help you avoid mistakes.
