What Does a Box Spring Do - Benefits and When They Are Not Necessary

If you are shopping for a new bed you are probably hearing about box springs, platform beds, and different types of mattresses. It can all be confusing but we are here to help you learn about box springs, what they are, what they do, their benefits, and more.

What is a Box Spring?

A box spring is a foundation for your mattress. It can be included in your bed frame or it can be purchased separately.

They are usually made out of wood and coils with a material exterior. The wood comprises the framed structure with the coils internal to absorb shock which helps to prevent wear and tear on your mattress.

What does a Box Spring do?

Primarily, a box spring supports your mattress giving you the foundations for a good night’s rest. A box spring also absorbs any extra pressure put on your mattress from getting in and out of bed and so on. A box spring is also known to enable the mattress to move more on its supportive base.

Benefits of using a Box Spring

There are five main benefits of using a box spring.

1. Increased bed height: if you are tall or have back issues having a higher bed frame can be very useful. Often for older people having a box spring allows them to sit easily on their bed without having to stoop low or support themselves as they sit down onto the mattress. Box springs provide rigid support that means your bed will not move as you get in.
2. A foundation for your bed frame: if you have a collapsible bed frame a box spring provides support for both your mattress and bedframe preventing it from breaking or collapsing during the night. If you have a flimsy bed frame, a box frame that fits in the center can take the pressure of the bed frame as it is not required to support anything, the box spring does all of the hard work for the frame.
3. Mattress support: probably one of the most important jobs of a box spring is to support your mattress, giving you a sturdy and comfortable bed to sleep on.
4. Shock absorption: as mentioned earlier, the coils in the box spring work to absorb any additional movement, avoiding early wear and tear of your mattress.
5. Improved airflow: box springs are hollow inside of the wooden frame with only the coils internally. This allows more air to flow through your mattress which helps to avoid that stuffy feeling or overheating during the night.

When you do not need to use a Box Spring

There are certain situations when a box spring is not needed. These are:

1. If you have a platform bed, this style of bed already have a supportive platform for your mattress
2. If you sleep with your mattress on the floor you will not require a box spring but you should consider one if you would like to move off the floor to a higher, supportive platform
3. Depending on your mattress a box spring may not be compatible. Box Springs should not be used under mattresses that do not have coils, such as hybrid, latex, or memory foam mattresses. These types of mattresses already have the means to absorb shock and so the box spring would only be supported but would not have any other benefits in this instance.

FAQs:

Does a box spring make a difference?

Box springs help make your mattress last longer as it absorbs movement that could lead to the wear and tear of your mattress. It also adds more movement to your mattress.

What happens if you don’t use a box spring?

Depending on the type of bed frame that you have your mattress may be left with no support in the absence of a box spring. If you solely have a bed frame usually there is nothing in the center of the frame, where your mattress would go, to offer support. In some cases, you can purchase slats for your bed but this would depend on if there is a central runner in your bed that can support the slats as well as your mattress. A number of manufacturers of the aforementioned type of mattresses have it so that mattresses warranties are void if you have it atop a box spring.

Is it better to sleep without a box spring?

Without a box spring, your mattress may not have the support to lie evenly, meaning you would not be able to lie evenly on your bed and resulting in a poor night’s sleep. Mattresses are there to support our bodies as we get some much needed and required R&R. If you do not set up your mattress with the support it needs in turn it will not be able to support you during the night. If you have a box spring, your mattress is supported and can lie evenly atop the box spring, giving you the perfect environment to get a good night’s sleep.

Can a mattress be used without a box spring?

A mattress can be used without a box spring but a box spring is a definitive way of supporting your mattress. If you do not have a box spring you will need to either have a bed frame that can support your mattress or else sleep with your mattress on the ground. It is personal preference but having a proper place to put your mattress would be recommended to make it last longer as well as give you a comfortable sleeping space.

What type of bed does not require a box spring?

There is only one type of bed that does not require a box spring, this is a platform bed. Platform beds provide a sturdy base that can hold and support your mattress. This base is normally made of metal, slatted palettes, or solid material that matches your bed frame.

How do you cover a box spring without a bed skirt?

Bed Skirts are often used to conceal box springs as often box springs come in limited designs. While box skirts are a fantastic way of adding a bit of luxury to your bed, you can alternatively use a flat sheet that would hang down the side of your bed, covering the box spring. This approach can be more difficult as you need to measure your bed to find an appropriately sized sheet as well as having to fix the sheet as it will move each time you sleep in the bed. Box spring bed covers can be purchased from a number of retailers and this could avoid the need to conceal your box spring should you find a cover that matches your bedroom decor.