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
Adjusting the stiffness of the lamellas
Bases with adjustable lamella stiffness are gaining popularity. These have lamellas with special attachments in the zone of active load on the base - they allow you to adjust the rigidity of the latoflexes.
By moving or moving a pair of cursors along the bar, you can reduce or accordingly increase the rigidity of the support in this area.
An additional block with double or triple lamellas is also installed on the active zone. It allows you to increase rigidity in the lumbar area, improving the orthopedic properties of the mattress.
Slats are the most important part of the orthopedic bed base. They provide a springing effect, increasing the benefits of an anatomical mattress. High-quality flexible slats under the mattress are the basis for a sound and healthy sleep.
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
Necessary materials
Before you buy everything you need and make the bed with your own hands, as well as slats, you should complete a detailed drawing. For a standard double bed you will need the following materials.
The process of distributing slats along the base of a single bed.
- 3 boards with dimensions 200x30x3 cm. They will become the walls and headboard of the product.
- 2 boards measuring 250x30x2 cm. They will become the sides of the bed.
- 5 bars, each length 200 cm, section 4x4. Needed for the manufacture of supporting structures, supports and legs.
- The rail measures 150x4x2 cm. It will become a crossbar at the base of the bed. The rail is needed to secure the headboard boards.
- Stain.
- Wood glue.
- Varnish;
- Self-tapping screws.
The lamellas can be attached either using fasteners or using self-tapping screws.
It is worth clarifying once again that the amount of material is indicated for a standard double bed. You should select everything in accordance with the parameters of the future product and drawings.
How to correctly insert slats into the mount.
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.
Slats for French folding bed
In our store you can purchase wooden slats for “French” folding beds, either individually or as a set.
French folding bed - This is a sofa that transforms into a large comfortable bed with a special transformation mechanism (Mixotoil). This type of upholstered furniture is not suitable for frequent use; it is used in cases where there are few sleeping places in the house, but guests still need to be accommodated comfortably. The method of transformation from a sofa to a bed is as follows: lifting three sections, fastened together with hinges, towards you. The main disadvantage of such furniture is the large number of hinges and the compactness of the frame; with frequent use of such a product, the frame may sag and wear out of the transformation mechanism. This can be solved by replacing the standard awning or mesh with durable orthopedic lamellas (“Bent-glued boards”). Also, a worn-out transformation mechanism can be replaced with a new one.
Choose high quality
We purchase all raw materials for the production of molded products from reliable suppliers, which always meet high quality standards. Thanks to the constant modernization of our woodworking equipment fleet and the use of innovative technologies, we ensure consistently high quality of the final product. The lamellas of our production are made of durable birch veneer and beech, have an optimal bending radius R of 4000-8000 mm, are produced in all standard sizes, are not coated with colorless varnish, as many people write, but are coated with heat-treated glue.
How to measure the lamella?
To determine the size of the lamella (bent laminated board), you can use a ruler or tape measure, applying the tool as shown in the figure. Particular precision in measurements is not required, since all batten holders have a gap of 3 to 5 mm.
ATTENTION! THE LENGTH OF THE PATTERN IS MEASURED ALONG THE ARC AS SHOWN IN THE FIGURE.
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.
How to repair a lifting mechanism with your own hands
Sometimes the bed lifting mechanism, which is responsible for transforming the structure, breaks along with the slats. The following signs indicate a breakdown:
- spontaneous lowering of the orthopedic base;
- jamming of the mechanism when lifting or lowering the structure;
- creaking and other extraneous sounds that occur during operation.
If one of the listed symptoms appears, it is necessary to disassemble the lifting mechanism. To do this, the mattress is removed from the bed, after which its base is unscrewed. Then the fasteners are unscrewed, with the help of which the mechanism is screwed to the structure. It is difficult to repair such a product yourself and therefore it is better to take it to a specialist who professionally repairs furniture.
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.
How to insert or remove plates?
To do this, the tip must be put on a separate bar and inserted into a special socket on the frame. During this process, you should try to bend the plates slightly.
Each lamella can be independently replaced; there is nothing complicated about the fastening features.
To remove it, you need to pull the fastener out of the socket and move the end of the latoflex to the side.
A variant of the base with lamellas, which are attached by metal lamellas.
Required Tools
To assemble the bed yourself and make the crossbar, you will need a drill, cutter, and sandpaper. Also prepare a hacksaw and pencil. For measurement and accuracy, rulers, tape measures, and a square are useful. Among the tools needed to make a bed yourself should be a plane, a screwdriver and a jigsaw.
Installation of slats in the base of the bed can be done independently; this does not require any expensive equipment.
