Pros and cons of 3 types of bed lifts

What is

Beds equipped with a lifting mechanism are often supplemented with a compartment for storing large items.
The linen box is located under the mattress and has partitions that divide it into 2-3 sections. If necessary, the sleeping place is raised and fixed in a certain position. The device is attached to the sides of the case and the base. The lifting mechanism is used in the production of children's and adult beds. The models have a number of advantages compared to other sleep structures:

• combining two pieces of furniture;
• saving free space;
• the presence of compartments for storing things;
• wide range of colors and textures;
• ease of use;
• easy care.

Lift beds also have some disadvantages. The products are expensive, characterized by rather large sizes, so they are difficult to move and transport. Dust accumulates in storage drawers, mattress lifters break down quickly, and beds sag over time. There is no free space under the furniture, which makes cleaning difficult.

Beds with a lifting mechanism are installed not only at home, but also in hospitals and nursing homes. Modern models are regulated using a remote control.

Necessary materials

When preparing the necessary material for the manufacture of a sleeping bed, it is worth taking into account the load created by the mattress on the shock absorbers, mechanical device strips, frame and fixation points.

During the installation of a piece of furniture you will need the following materials:

• lift;
• MDF and chipboard;
• wooden slats;
• boards;
• bars;
• upholstery fabric;
• foam;
• mattress;
• metal profile to create a reliable structure.

A common and inexpensive material among furniture makers is chipboard sheets. You can use chip boards, OSB and others. The choice of material depends entirely on the preferences of the owner and the availability of money. The upholstery fabric is selected taking into account the interior of the sleeping area where the homemade bed will be installed.

Having prepared the working material, you need to stock up on the tools that you will need to make the frame of the sleeping area.

Why use it?

Modern designers and owners of apartments with smart layouts recommend using folding furniture, which with one movement turns into a full-fledged sleeping place and saves free space. Vertical and horizontal folding sofas are successfully camouflaged due to a reliable element. The mechanism for an orthopedic-type folding bed should be selected with the following factors taken into account:

• Convenient operating principle without additional effort or stress;
• The presence of a shock absorber function, due to which the furniture remains comfortable and anatomically correct;
• Suitable device dimensions;
• A special type of fastener that allows you to install parts without unnecessary holes and cracks on furniture.

A universal option for bed frames of any type is gas lifts, which operate using gas springs. Two parts are mounted to different parts of the furniture, as a result of which part of the model is allowed to rise or rotate at a certain angle. High-quality sofa mechanisms can work for several years in a row without additional repairs and maintenance. Modern manufacturers offer a variety of high-power options that allow you to smoothly and easily transform the case to the desired limit.

Is it possible to disassemble the lift and when should it be done?

During long-term operation, situations may arise that require repair of the lift, its dismantling to replace worn parts or the device as a whole. The following factors indicate a malfunction of the lifting mechanism:

• spontaneous lowering of the moving part of the bed;
• the mechanism jams and the orthopedic base cannot be raised or lowered;
• During operation, extraneous sounds arise: grinding, creaking, metallic clanging.

Spontaneous lowering is typical for both gas lifts and spring devices. The main method of repair is to replace power elements. Manual mechanisms, as a rule, fail and require complete replacement. At the same time, it is recommended to change both elements, since uneven wear can lead to damage to the furniture.

Replacing a worn-out lift on gas shock absorbers

Lifts with gas shock absorbers:

Spring lifts:

Vertical and horizontal wardrobe beds:

Purpose

Using a lifting mechanism for a bed allows you to free up part of the room area. This is achieved in several ways:

• the bed itself is moved to a vertical position and retracted into a niche in the wall;
• Only the sleeping place rises to form a useful volume with quick access to storage for a wide variety of things.

As for the first option, it is the optimal solution for one-room apartments and studio apartments. One of its varieties is the transformation of a bed into another piece of furniture. As a rule, this is a sofa. This transformation is very useful from an ergonomic point of view. By purchasing one piece of furniture, you get two at once, performing different functions. However, as practice shows, in terms of comfort, a sofa bed is much inferior to full-fledged mattresses that are used in classic beds.

By opening the orthopedic base at a large angle, you can get free access to the farthest corners of the box

The second option is advisable to use in two-room apartments. In this case, a smaller room is allocated for the bedroom, even if there is no space for installing a wardrobe and other furniture. A useful area for storing various things and bed linen will be provided by a box under a rising mattress.

It is advisable to divide the useful space inside the bed into several compartments. If this was not done during production, it is recommended to use special boxes

Using a bed with a lifting device provides additional benefits:

• reliable and careful storage of things. Since the box lid is under significant pressure from the weight of the mattress, it fits tightly and does not let dust inside;
• easier cleaning. The bed is adjacent to the floor with its entire base area, dirt does not penetrate under it;
• ease of use. Modern lifting mechanisms are equipped with various devices that make it easy to lift the top cover, despite the significant weight of the structure and mattress.

Side lifting mechanism for children's wardrobe-bed

Types of lifting equipment

• hoists - suspended lifting and transport devices, designed on the principle of a gearbox - a system of blocks and pulleys reduces the traction force on the drive handle (the work of lifting a heavy load is performed by a large number of repetitions).
• winches , due to transmission mechanisms, provide a large gain in output force, can be suspended by a hook or installed on a flat plane, and move the load in vertical and horizontal directions.
• trolleys and stackers are designed for transporting cargo and its convenient storage. They have a platform and wheels, and are often equipped with a hydraulic lifting mechanism.
• hydraulic crane - mobile hydraulic lifting equipment, with a movable boom from which the load is suspended.
• Lifts are mobile and stationary devices of various shapes and designs, designed for hanging and fixing a car and its individual parts.

Manual

The simplest and most affordable. It became most widespread in the early nineties. Since then, his popularity has been steadily declining. At the moment it is used only in budget bed models. Considering that chipboard is used as a material for furniture of this class, frequent use can cause the hinges to become deformed and fail. It should be noted that the lift itself is durable and quite reliable, and breaks quite rarely.

The operating principle of a manual lift is to use physical force, since its design does not contain compensating components and mechanisms. This device is not recommended for installation on children's beds due to the high risk of injury.

Modern manual lifts are designed in such a way that they can later be equipped with a compensating spring or a gas lift

Spring

Twisted springs are used as a load compensator in such mechanisms. Their use significantly reduces physical effort, but does not compensate for it completely. The device is affordable and very effective, so it is often used both on budget beds and on more expensive furniture models. With frequent use, over time, the springs stretch and need to be replaced. The average service life, depending on the intensity of use, is 3-5 years.

The number of springs used in the mechanism depends on the weight of the moving part of the bed

On gas shock absorbers

The lifting mechanism on gas shock absorbers (gas elevators) is the most expensive. However, the high cost is fully compensated by the convenience and safety of operation. A properly selected gas lift completely compensates for the load from the moving part of the bed. This allows even children and people with disabilities to use the lifting mechanism without any strain. If you choose the right shock absorbers and do not overload them during operation, then the duration of its operation can be 10 years or more.

Lifting mechanism on gas shock absorbers

Important! The gas shock absorber uses nitrogen as a working substance, pumped into a sealed cylinder under high pressure. There is also an oil damper, piston and gaskets. Self-repair of a gas lift without special equipment is impossible. Moreover, failure of the cylinder can result in sudden release of oil and gasket parts, which can result in personal injury.

The structure of the gas cylinder of lifting mechanisms

Manufacturing stages

Assemble the base frame to which the lifting mechanism, supports for the base of the mattress, headboard and lower back will be attached. Next, a folding base is made and the lifting mechanism is attached. After adjustment, the structural parts are finished.

Andrey Peregubsky

Furniture handyman

Ask a Question

If you have doubts about the correctness of the calculations, then you should start assembling with the lifting base of the mattress and, based on the resulting result, mark and assemble the bed frame.

Frame

The base is made of wood or chipboard. For installation, provide legs or support on side parts.

Manufacturing procedure:

1. Prepare the sides of the base, attach legs or gaskets to them.
2. On the inside, stops are installed for the movable base of the mattress. The stops are made in the form of jumpers or longitudinal linings on the sidewall.
3. The side panels are connected to the headboard and lower backrest. For fastening, furniture corners, self-tapping screws or confirmats (Euroscrews) are used.
4. Turn the resulting frame over and screw on the plywood bottom. It is not advisable to use fiberboard; over time, the edges will collapse and the bottom will be squeezed out.

The final finishing of the sidewalls is best done after adjusting the lifting mechanism.

Lifting base

The lifting base can be purchased assembled or made independently from wood; planed timber with a section of 50x50 mm and a board 25x100 mm, plywood are used.

It is important to take into account that the lifting part of the structure must be 1 cm narrower and shorter than the base box, so that it falls into place when lowered without friction on the sidewalls.

Operating procedure:

1. The beam is sawed off to the required length: two longitudinal and two transverse.
2. The parts are connected into a single structure using furniture corners and self-tapping screws.
3. The top is fastened with plywood or cross boards.

Check the correctness of manufacture by attaching the lifting base to the lower frame.

Installation of the mechanism

The lifting mechanism takes on heavy loads when lifting the mattress, so it is important to choose the right installation location and fastening method.

Single and one-and-a-half-size mattresses can be raised to the headboard. Wide, double models are better along the sidewall, this reduces the load.

Due to the heavy load, the mechanism cannot be installed on self-tapping screws. Be sure to drill a through hole in the longitudinal bar and mount the lift with a bolt, washer and nut. The base of the mattress is secured in the same way.

To hide the head of the bolt, you can use an additional strip mounted parallel to the end one.

Another option is to hide the bolt with sheathing so that it does not turn when the nut is unscrewed; they use furniture bolts with a boss on the rod that fits into the through hole.

The installation diagram of the mechanism is necessarily indicated in the instructions, and the dimensions of the indents for drilling holes are also given there.

Before screwing the lifting mechanism, it is advisable to experiment with unfolding the part, making sure that the mattress will be raised to the desired height. At the same time, make sure that there is enough space left for the slight rise of the mattress, which is necessary to unlock the locking mechanism.

Characteristics and features of lifting equipment

Although lifting equipment is extremely diverse, and each type has its own individual characteristics, a number of general parameters can be specified. Please consider them before you buy.

The main characteristic is the carrying capacity (the maximum weight of the load being lifted), it can range from 100 kg to several tons. Also for many devices the lifting height . Hoists and winches can have a length of 10-20 m; usually this lifting construction equipment is used for connections between levels. For most warehouse and production work, a parameter of 1-3 m is sufficient (this is the working height for stackers, hydraulic cranes, lifting tables). When choosing, you need to pay attention to the direction of movement of the load - only vertically, vertically and horizontally, freely in any direction, etc.

Some devices require special installation (hanging, laying monorails), others require a sufficient width of passages. All this must be taken into account when selecting lifting equipment to equip a warehouse, workshop, or workshop.

What to consider when choosing

There are several criteria when choosing a bed:

• No extraneous sounds.
• A flat base (with the exception of beds made specifically with deflections or sagging).
• Hypoallergenic materials used in production (in case there is an allergy to any material).
• Comfortable use (there are handles, easy opening).

Dimensions and characteristics

Beds differ from each other in several characteristics, each of which is important when choosing the optimal option for a bed lift.

Dimensions

Length - the standard length of beds for adults is in the range from 200 to 220 cm, for children - from 120 to 190 cm. Width - depends on the number of beds. Children's beds have a width of 60-70 cm, single beds 90-100 cm, the standard width of double beds is from 120 to 160 cm.

The height is chosen so that it is easier for its users to lie down and get up (lower for children, higher for older people). Combinations of length and width within the specified limits can be very different and are chosen depending on the desires of those who will sleep on it.

Beds measuring 160x200 cm and having a lifting mechanism with a gas lift can be considered the standard for double models. All these parameters influence the choice of lifting device only in combination with other characteristics.

The weight of the sleeping place is mainly influenced by the mattress. There are a lot of varieties of its fillers and their weight can vary significantly. The weight of the part of the bed being lifted is a major factor in determining the type and power of the lifting mechanism required. For example, for lifting a double bed with an orthopedic mattress, a spring mechanism is not very suitable, not to mention the manual version. And for a single bed with a foam mattress, the use of an expensive gas mechanism would be unjustified.

Design

Beds with a lifting mechanism have two types of design - with a horizontal lift of the berth and with a vertical lift of the entire bed (wardrobe bed). You can raise the bed in two ways - by fixing the box parallel to the horizontal level at a certain distance from it, or by opening it like a book, from the foot of the bed.

In addition to the foot, any side of the bed can also be raised if you install the lifting mechanism a little differently. A side lift is needed in cases where, for reasons of optimal placement, it is decided to place the bed sideways close to the wall.

All options require symmetrical installation of two lifting devices of the same type on the box. For a single version of this design, any lifting device is suitable. In double beds, as a rule, gas lifts are used, regardless of the weight of the bed.

There are also two options for lifting the wardrobe bed. The bed is raised either by the foot or by the side. In both cases, the transformation can be done with very little effort if the lifting mechanism of this bed uses a gas lift. But its power for each single-bed version will be different. When lifting from the side, it is possible to use a spring lift. A manual device is usually not used for this design.

Installing a very powerful gas lift on a bed is not recommended, since in this case it will be very difficult to lower or raise the frame. You can roughly determine the required power at the rate of 10 N per 1 kilogram of the weight of the structure being lifted.

When choosing the type of lifting device, there are three other factors to consider:

• Operating mode – regular raising of the bed or occasional;
• The physical capabilities of the person who will sleep on it;
• Lift price – the cost of different types of lifting devices varies by an order of magnitude, so not every user will be willing to spend money on an expensive lift unless necessary.

Horizontal

Vertical

Step-by-step instruction

We will make a children's bed from natural boards; the lifting mechanism is attached to the headboard and footboard and ensures the side tilting of the mattress. It is much easier for children to use such a device; we have already talked about its advantages. The dimensions of the parts are not given intentionally; let everyone make according to their own sketch. The main thing is to understand the technology; everyone can use roulette.

Drawing a bed drawing

Preparing the bed parts

Step 1 . Prepare panels for making backs and sides. The boards must be smooth and passed through a double-sided thicknesser; it will make the surfaces smooth and even out the thickness of the lumber. Spread the boards with glue and press them tightly with clamps. Leave the glue in this position for about a day to dry. The last operation is grinding the surfaces. This is much easier to do with special electric grinders.

The boards are glued together into panels and clamped with clamps until dry.

Step 2 . Prepare bars for the legs and supports of the moving element of the mattress, suitable with dimensions of 30x40 mm. The surfaces must also be sanded; before this, the lumber is passed through a surface planer.

Bars for legs and shields must be sanded smooth

Step 3 . Draw a sketch of the back, if you don’t like it, consider several options. Transfer the drawing to the furniture board, check all the dimensions again. Cut out the outline with an electric jigsaw. Make sure that the saw is sharp and does not leave burrs on the back of the furniture panel. They then need to be removed, and this will take a lot of time. In addition, marks may be left on the front surface.

Transfer the sketch to the boards

Sand the edges and go through with a hand router. Choose the cutter profile at your discretion.

The edges of the workpieces are processed with a milling cutter

Step 4 . Place decorative sticks between the two back pieces. The parts must be cut from a 20x20 mm block, the connection is made with Ø 10 mm dowels. Place the elements precisely; they must be completely symmetrical both with respect to the axis of the backrest and on the backrest and headboard.

Decorative elements are attached using dowels

Important. Do not forget that the bed is for children, carefully round off all sharp corners to eliminate the possibility of injury.

The dowels must be strong; great forces are exerted on the nodes. Be sure to lubricate dowels and holes with wood glue.

Step 5 . Prepare two sides of the bed according to the dimensions. They are easy to make; cut them from previously prepared furniture panels. All corners must also be rounded and surfaces sanded.

Two sides of the bed are made from boards

Step 6 . Cover the bed parts on both sides with a special protective and decorative agent. It is odorless, does not cause allergic reactions and at the same time reliably protects the wood from pests, mold and gives a very interesting shade. You need to apply two layers, the first is almost completely absorbed, the surface is matte. The second one already remains on the surface of the parts and gives them shine.

All parts of the future bed are covered with a protective and decorative composition

The bed elements are ready, you can begin installation.

Frame assembly

The work is easier to do with the help of metal corners; they are bought at a furniture store at the same time as the lifting mechanism. You already know the quantity and range of fasteners and the optimal type of lift.

Step 1 . Step back 10 cm from the top edge of the sidewalls. Our mattress crate will be made from 5 cm thick bars; the mattress is recessed by this amount. The rest of it rises above the frame. Make markings for the metal corners. Take your time, check the correct placement of the fasteners several times.

Perform markings for corners

Step 2 . Attach the corners to the two sides.

Screw the corners with self-tapping screws to the sides

Practical advice. To avoid a gap between the sides and backs, do not screw the corner near the very end, but step back 1–2 mm from it. When tightening the self-tapping screw, the back will be strongly attracted to the ends of the sidewalls, the design will be durable and beautiful. Stability is increased due to the large contact area of ​​the two loaded parts.

Step 3 . Place the sides on stands and screw them to the headboard and footboard.

Connect the corners of the side panels with the headboard and footboard

Step 4 . Make the bottom of the bed. You can use 20x30 mm slats; you need three in total: two on the sides and one in the middle. The bottom is covered with thin slats.

The bottom is made of longitudinal bars and thin crossbars

Step 5 . Make a frame for the mattress. The bars are suitable, the length depends on the size of the bed.

The base for the mattress is made directly into the bed frame

Important. Due to the fact that the bed frame is liftable, it should be approximately one centimeter smaller than the body around the entire perimeter. To ensure that this parameter does not go astray during the manufacture of the element, use ordinary templates.

Step 6 . Attach lifting mechanisms to the grille and backrests. Adjust their position and check functionality.

Screw lifting mechanisms to the sidewalls

When choosing a lift, remember that your mattress rises to the side. This means that the effort is reduced by about half. The specific value depends on the ratio of the length of the bed to its width.

Installing a gas lift on a bed

Video - Do-it-yourself bed with a lifting mechanism

A bed with a lifting mechanism is an excellent solution for small apartments; now you know not only its advantages and disadvantages, but also detailed manufacturing instructions. All that remains is to install it correctly; the comfort of sleep and, accordingly, your health depend on it. There are many different tips on the Internet with methods for choosing where to install a bed in bedrooms, but most of them have nothing to do with scientific research. On the pages of our website there is a very interesting article on this topic, we strongly recommend reading it.

Construction type

The reliability and cost of beds are determined by their dimensions and structural features. Depending on the type of design, the following types of products are distinguished:

1. With vertical lift. The furniture consists of wardrobes and beds. The berth rises completely, then retracts against the wall.
2. With horizontal lift. In this case, the entire surface of the bed can move parallel to the floor. As a rule, this is typical for double options. Single and one-and-a-half beds - rise from the side or to the headboard.

Transformation of structures can be carried out in two ways: the bed is raised from the side or from the foot. In the first and second cases, the process does not occur without minor efforts if a gas lift is used as a lifting mechanism. The power of the device varies depending on the design features of the piece of furniture.

Side lift models are usually equipped with a spring mechanism. The manual option is not used in such cases.

Vertical lift

Horizontal

Lifting from the side

Necessary tools for furniture assembly

In the process of performing labor-intensive work that requires attention and concentration, you will need:

• construction marker;
• three-meter tape measure;
• jigsaw;
• drill;
• self-tapping screws;
• welding machine;
• grinder with a metal disc;
• level;
• stapler;
• construction hairdryer.

Having collected all the tools and material that will be needed during the assembly of the frame, we begin the construction procedure.

Tips for choosing

Finding the right lift bed is not a difficult task. However, to purchase high-quality, durable furniture, you will need to take into account some nuances. When choosing, the following criteria are important:

1. Dimensions. Single models are made in the form of a compact ottoman, designed for installation in a corner. The products are equipped with spring or gas lifts; they are great for children and teenagers. In furniture with dimensions of 140 × 200 cm, the mechanism is located along the entire length, allowing one adult to rest comfortably. Large double structures with dimensions of 180 × 200 cm are designed for two people. Despite their impressive dimensions, they help save space during the day.
2. Operating mode. Take into account the regularity of raising the bed - daily or occasionally.
3. User's physical capabilities. Single models with gas and spring systems are relevant for children, 140 × 200 cm are suitable for teenagers, and adults can transform double beds.
4. Price. Purchasing expensive lifting mechanisms for a bed is only advisable if you regularly use the bed. If the product is rarely lifted, affordable hand-held devices are suitable.
5. Reliability. The most durable mechanisms are those on hinges, which is due to their simplicity. Almost nothing can break in them, so repairs and replacement of parts will not be required. Elements made from high-quality materials can last for several decades.
6. Safety. Experts recommend giving preference to mechanisms equipped with locks that protect against spontaneous lowering of the berth. This criterion is especially important if the furniture will be used by a child.

Although Italian-made lifting mechanisms are popular, domestic products can also be of high quality and durable. When choosing the appropriate option, you need to pay attention to real consumer reviews.

Large beds with gas shock absorbers look ideal in spacious bedrooms. An original addition to the interior will be models with a non-standard configuration: round, oval, with a large soft headboard. For small rooms, wardrobe beds or models with a horizontal lift are suitable. The children's room does not need large furniture; the optimal solution would be a single-bed design.

Options for mattress sizes for beds, selection criteria

When using a lifting mechanism regularly, it is better to give preference to expensive, high-quality fittings. Physically weak people are advised to opt for a model with gas shock absorbers. The most durable are hinged mechanisms.

Mechanisms with locks are considered safer

Criterias of choice

In order for the bed lifting mechanism to last a long time, the following factors must be taken into account when choosing it.

• Power . When calculating the power of springs or gas lift of a lifting mechanism, you must adhere to the rule: for 1 kg of weight of the structure being moved, you need to spend 10 N. It is not advisable to use more powerful springs or gas shock absorbers, since their operation will be quite difficult.
• Safety . It is desirable that the device be equipped with additional locks that prevent the structure from spontaneously folding. This is especially important if the mechanism will be used by a child.
• Durability . The most durable are manual mechanisms. This is due to their simplicity. In fact, there is nothing to break there; rather, the furniture itself will fail. Products made from quality materials can last for decades.
• Springs are subject to wear . During operation, they can jump out of the fasteners, and over time they stretch and cannot create the force for which they are designed. The average service life does not exceed 5 years.
• Gas lifts are more reliable . As a rule, manufacturers provide a guarantee for 20,000 lifts and lowerings, which is about 10 years of operation.
• Price . Products from well-known brands can cost an order of magnitude more than conventional lifting mechanisms with the same functionality. Undoubtedly, with intensive use, the quality of the work performed and the materials used will make itself felt. But many domestic products are in no way inferior to European ones and, of course, are much stronger than Chinese ones.

You should also take into account:

• bed and room sizes;
• who will use the sleeping area;
• the position of the bed relative to other furniture located in the room. The method of lifting depends on this - at an angle or horizontal;
• in which direction the sleeping place or the bed as a whole will rise (move).

The elaborate design of branded products often hides the same design solutions as in ordinary furniture in the mid-price category.

Pros and cons of a bed lift mechanism

This device helps to significantly save space. When supplemented with it, the couch will be characterized by the following advantages:

• There will be additional storage space.
• There is no need to buy additional furniture and clutter up the space.
• Simplifying the process of cleaning the room.
• The lifting structure does not affect the interior design of the bedroom in any way.

Among the negative features, only high cost can be noted. It's quite difficult to find the right mattress. It should be light and not interfere with assembly.

Rules for safe operation

Mechanisms for raising the bed increase the practicality and functionality of the furniture. When operating such structures, several safety rules must be observed:

1. Wardrobe beds must be securely fixed to the wall when lifted horizontally. This is especially important with spring mechanisms.
2. When raising or lowering the bed, the user must be on the side of the piece of furniture.
3. A bed with a spring and manual mechanism in the raised position must be additionally reinforced with a support.

Classification of mattress covers for a bed, choosing the right size

Models with gas shock absorbers are considered the safest. The berth is securely held in a horizontal position by fully extending the device's pistons. In this state, the mechanism is not able to compress on its own. Some manufacturers supplement the designs with special fasteners, which will be useful for the most careful users. Such furnishings are unable to drop sharply. Even if one of the units breaks, the furniture will slowly return to its original position thanks to the second element.

Beds equipped with lifting mechanisms are in high demand today. The reason for its popularity is the high functionality and practicality of the furniture - the additional compartment is convenient for storing bedding, linen and other bulky items. But before choosing a suitable product, you need to familiarize yourself with the varieties, types, and design features.

Wardrobe beds must be securely fixed to the wall

The user must stand to the side of the piece of furniture when using the lifting mechanism.

A bed with a spring and manual mechanism in the raised position should be additionally reinforced with a support

Spring mechanism

Beds with such springs can be classified as a budget option and it is for this reason that there is a demand for them, but according to statistics it is gradually falling in favor of more expensive and high-quality options.

The main disadvantage of a bed with a spring mechanism is its short service life.

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Reliability

All bed lifting mechanisms have a fairly high level of reliability. But here we need to make a reservation - this applies to products from manufacturers who occupy leading positions in the market for these devices and have earned the trust of customers. For example, the best gas elevators are considered to be German, and spring devices are Italian.

In spring lifting mechanisms, the main load falls on the spring itself, which leads to its wear. In addition, devices of this type do not withstand increased loads on the sleeping area. During use, the springs sometimes pop out and gradually stretch. For these reasons, their warranty does not exceed 5 years.

Gas elevators have a 10-year guarantee and are designed for 20 thousand raising and lowering of the bed, which indicates the high reliability of the gas lifting device. The most reliable and durable mechanism is recognized as a manual device on hinges. The reason is simple - there is nothing to break there.

Finally, advice on how to choose the right bed lift mechanism. Spring devices are perfect for light single beds. But, if your budget allows, it is better to choose gas. Its high price will justify itself - the device will last for many years without repair or replacement. Well, the manual version is suitable for small beds that do not have to be opened often.

Varieties

When lifting the bed frame with mattress, some effort is required. To simplify the process, manufacturers use various mechanisms. The most common include:

1. Manual. The base of the bed moves using hinges that are fixed to one of the sides of the bed. The mechanism is simple, does not require repair, is characterized by reliability, durability, and affordable cost. The operation of the structures is only available to adults, as it requires strong physical impact.
2. Spring-loaded. The device is small in size and weight compared to the manual version, and is inexpensive. The furniture is designed for 20 thousand lifting and lowering, but over time the coil springs lose their elasticity, so they will have to be replaced with new ones every 2-3 years.
3. Gas shock absorbers. Reliable, easy-to-use devices consisting of a rotation axis, gas lifts and metal plates. The structure rises and falls silently, safely, withstands high loads, and is designed for 70–90 thousand operating cycles. Among the disadvantages are high cost, a slight decrease in the aesthetic properties of furniture, and problems with visually determining the quality of the device.

Types of bed bases - characteristics, pros and cons
The most accessible and simplest mechanism is the manual mechanism for raising the bed, but its operation requires high physical effort. Twisted springs are durable and easy to use, but cannot boast of durability. The highest quality and most comfortable to use is a gas shock absorber. In addition to safety and reliability, it lasts for a long time.

Manual

Spring

Gas lift

How to install the lifting mechanism yourself

When purchasing new furniture, it is usually delivered disassembled. Assembly often costs extra. However, despite its bulkiness, the bed is one of the simplest pieces of furniture. It is quite possible to assemble it yourself with the simplest tools: a Phillips screwdriver and several open-end wrenches. To protect yourself from injury and complete assembly as quickly and efficiently as possible, it is recommended to adhere to the following sequence:

1. Assemble the base - the lower body and the bed frame.
2. If necessary, assemble an orthopedic base (as a rule, a structure with lamellas is sold ready-made).
3. The lift is fixed to the side panel of the base. It must be positioned strictly horizontally in relation to the box.
4. The lift is unfolded into an open working state, after which an orthopedic base is placed on it and positioned until the technological holes coincide.
5. An assistant is essential here. One person holds the orthopedic base, and the second attaches it to the lift.

The bolts adjusting the gas lifts should be level on both sides of the bed

Used frames

There are currently 3 types of frames common on the market:

The first is a frame consisting of two backs and two side panels. It is made from laminated chipboard.

The second option is more expensive than the first, since decorated backs and overlays are additionally screwed or glued to the frame.

And the third option is the most reliable. This frame is reinforced with a crossbar and additional legs are attached to it.