Do you want a box spring with a memory foam mattress? If you’re about to get a memory foam mattress or you already own one, this is a question you have to get answers to.
Most people go mattress shopping with the question of whether or not to get a box spring coming only as an afterthought.
If you’re one of those who isn’t really sure about whether or not you need a box spring for your memory foam, then you should keep reading. This post is for you.
Why Have a Box Spring?
Until recently, box springs were seen as a necessary aid for mattresses. People had historically taken to buying them, and here is why.
Box springs give mattresses, especially old ones, additional support, and serve as a kind of bed shock absorber. But that’s not all that they do.
Box springs help to raise beds to the user’s desirable height and provide a leveled surface for the mattress to stay on. For very firm mattresses, box springs make the bed feel softer than it actually is.
Of course, these aren’t always necessary. However, some people like to raise their bed to fit their personal taste. A box spring is an excellent idea for people who love to swing out of bed and start the day.
It reduces the stress of having to prop yourself up to get out of bed. Box springs can work for innerspring beds or beds of older models. If you own one of such mattresses or if you’re someone who likes your bed to be upright and level while you sleep, then you should totally try box springs out.
Generally, box spring units are covered in cloth, and they usually sit on a bed frame that is raised and have an attached headboard.
Why Not Have a Box Spring?
For a lot of people, the added cost of a box spring is not something they’re happy about. If you’re someone like that, and you own a memory foam mattress, then maybe a box spring is not necessary.
It has been discovered that memory foam mattresses actually have no need for a box spring. These mattresses are firm enough to balance well on a Bunkie board, floor or any leveled foundation. Sometimes, using them on a box spring will only amount to body pains or lousy sleeping experience.
Besides, when you’re dealing with an old or bad box spring, the advice is not to use it at all. This is because as box springs wear out, they start having stray springs which shift from their original position and easily puncture a hole in your foam.
If this happens, of course, you’ll still be able to use your foam. However, this may have negative effects on the quality of sleep that you get. To avoid this, you can get rid of the bad box spring and replace it with a Bunkie board.
Because this board has a small compact structure, your mattress will stay in position. Even if you don’t like the idea of a Bunkie board, there are other springboard alternatives that you can choose from.
What’s Really The Difference Between A Box Spring And A Foundation?
Many mattress users are confused about whether to buy a box spring or a foundation to support their mattresses. It’s easy to use the two terms “box spring” and “foundation” interchangeably, after all, they’re both support providers for mattresses.
However, mattresses differ, and while some can work with box springs, others need a foundation for support. So yes, this two mattress support are different. Keep reading to know-how.
- Box Spring
A box spring looks pretty much like it sounds. It is a wooden-framed box that has springs on the inside. They’re usually built to give support and function as a shock absorber to innerspring mattresses.
Before the time when foam mattresses started being made, box springs used to look entirely different from the way they look now. Then, they used to be a collection of bare metal springs that were strategically placed under a mattress. These “bedsprings” as they used to be called, gave firmer beds a little give which made them more comfortable to sleep on.
However, bedsprings soon became obsolete as innerspring beds came into being. They were modified into box springs which are perfect for giving innerspring mattresses the solid reinforcement that they require. Nowadays, as more and more memory foam mattresses emerge, there is a decreasing need for box springs too.
- Foundation
Like you already know, a foundation is supposed to give substantial support to a thing or raise it up. In terms of mattresses, a foundation functions in pretty much the same way. A mattress foundation is usually made up of slats and a wooden frame. Actually, it uses the same concept as box springs.
The only difference is that foundations do not have springs. Thus, foundations are basically wooden pieces that are joined to design a frame. It has both vertical and horizontal support so that an even surface can be achieved.
Compared to box springs, foundations are much stronger, firmer and much better for certain kinds of beds. To heighten their appeal and attractiveness, foundations usually have covers that slip over the wood. This mattress support is perfect for adding the right amount of height and support to your bed. Besides, it makes your mattress comfortable to sleep on by giving it a firm and smooth surface area for reinforcement.
Most of the mattresses that are being made today already have enough bounce, therefore using a box spring with them would be useless. With a foundation, however, the bed will be much more stable, and you won’t have to worry about it being too bouncy.
Do Memory Foam Mattresses Need Box Springs?
A foundation is as vital to your bed as it is to your house. Leaving your mattress directly on the floor will wear it out more quickly, and therefore reduce its lifespan.
Even so, as a rule, you should never use a box spring to support your memory foam mattress. The truth is that it won’t give your bed the kind of foundation that it really needs.
Memory foam mattresses are created with various layers of high-density polyurethane foam. When used on box spring over a long period, the bed may begin to sag. This is because of the gaps between this kind of foundation. Besides, because memory foam mattresses are bouncy enough on their own, they don’t need the extra bounce that a box spring provides.
That being said, it is essential to know that what your memory foam mattress requires is a solid base, and a wooden slat foundation is an ideal choice for it.
Apart from the fact that you can use it to gain extra height for your bed, the foundation will also provide a robust uniformed bottom for your foam’s cores, and make it feel even more comfortable to relax on.
Usually, most of these foundation models typically come with built-in storage space and help to create the illusion of larger bedroom space. It also offers healthy airflow for the mattress while helping to keep it cool as well.
The best foundations for memory foam mattresses are those whose slats are no more than 3 inches apart. With this, the foam will not sag easily.
Bottom line
Mattresses require a sort of foundation for support. For a memory foam mattress, however, box spring foundations are a no-no. So, what do you think?
Do you need a box spring with a memory foam mattress? In the end, the choice is yours. Even so, you should stick to all that has been written here. It will guide you a lot.
