Do I need a new box spring for my mattress?

By: David Keam

President of the Best Sleep Centre

Let me provide you with the main reasons for the mattress foundation that will answer the question people often ask me: “Do I need a new Box Spring for my Mattress?” The long and short of it is you may or may not need a NEW Box Spring and I emphasize the word NEW. A NEW Box Spring will protect your warranty.

How a new Box Spring protects your warranty

Even though modern mattresses do not always require a box spring, all the mattress manufacturers put it as a requirement for your mattress warranty that your new mattress CANNOT sit on a second-hand Box Spring.

Best Sleep Centre does not require a Box Spring if a proper platform bed is purchased from anyone. Proper is simple to define. The slats cannot flex and cannot go below flat when pushed on. There are a lot of cheaply made slats out there these days and those will void your warranty. If your slats are bow shaped it is safe to assume your mattress will follow that bow. That can damage your mattress. A simple inexpensive solution is a Bunkie Board so be sure to ask us if you need one or visit our website.

PLEASE NOTE!!! You should NEVER place your new mattress on your old Box Spring because it can shorten the mattress’ lifespan and thus void your warranty. Considering that in most cases, you get a 10-year warranty, you should make sure to meet the requirements. Many sleep shops will not mention this in the sale. Best Sleep Centre endeavors to make all the facts plain but in the end, it is your responsibility to read your warranties and follow all the directions.

The Different Types of Box Springs

Previously, mattress manufacturers only designed one-size Box Springs that stood at about 7 inches tall. However, since not all sleepers preferred such a height option, they created some low-profile Box Springs between 4 and 5 inches tall.

Thus, there are 3 types of Box Springs in the market today:

1. Traditional Box Springs which are 8 or 9 inches tall
2. Low-profile Box Springs which are 4 or 5 inches tall
3. Bunkie boards which are 1 inch high

Bunkie Boards

Bunkie boards are simple fabric covered thin bottoms of Box Springs with nothing added for additional height. This way, you will not elevate your mattress much and give it additional support if you want or need it. Does your platform bed have bent or flexible inexpensive slats? A Bunkie board is an inexpensive way to maintain your mattress warranty.

Bed Frames that do Not Require a Box Spring

Unless the mattress warranty tells otherwise, the answer to the question “do you need a Box Spring?” with the following bed frames is NO. And at Best Sleep Centre the answer if you are using any of these from us is ‘NO” If you’re using any of these bed frames, it’s not necessary to add a Box Spring(unless the warranty tells otherwise):

• Solid platform frame. A solid platform frame plays the same role as the base and provides a stable base that makes sure your mattress is not sagging prematurely. A solid platform frame can also help to lessen motion transfer between partners.
• Platform frame with slats. Different from a solid platform frame, a platform frame with slats uses non-flexible slats to form the support for your mattress. Just make sure they themselves do not flex. If they do add a Bunkie board.
• Adjustable frame. It is quite evident that a Box Spring would not work together with an adjustable bed frame and would only interfere with its functionality.
• Reinforced metal frame. A reinforced metal frame or all in one frame does not require a Box spring. They replace them and the metal frame.

Do you need a new Box Spring? You need something new or proper to support your mattress, now hopefully you have lots of information to decide what works best for you.

Best Sleep Centre – You’ll Find Us.

David Keam,
President
Best Sleep Centre Inc.

Winnipeg's Best Choice for Mattresses.