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Is your old bed frame starting to become unstable? Or did you get a new bed frame that doesn’t provide enough support? Whatever the issue is, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll be giving you several methods that you can use to reinforce your bed frame.
How to reinforce a bed frame
There are a few different ways to fortify your bed frame. Of course, this depends on the specific issue and the type of bed frame that you have. Below, I’ll be talking about how to reinforce the three most common bed frame types.
Wooden frame
If you’ve had a wooden bed frame for any period of time, there’s a high chance that you’ve encountered loose joints. Loose or separated bed frame joints destabilize the bed and cause it to wobble and sway.
Follow these instructions to reconnect any joints that may have shifted over time. First, lay cloth on both sides of the joint to avoid possible damage. Second, ask a friend or family member to help you hold the frame steady. Then, use a mallet to gently hammer the joint together and do the same if there are other loose joints.
Another case is if your wooden bed frame was previously glued. If it was, lay cloth around each side of the joint and reapply wood glue to the inside. Next, gently hammer the joint together and use something like a clamp to safely hold it together while it dries. Repeat for other loose or disconnected joints.
If your existing bed frame doesn’t have loose joints but you feel like it’s not supportive, you can replace some parts with thicker lumber. You can replace your bed’s center beam, slats, or its legs to make it sturdier.
Before I move on, some of you might be wondering “But Siegfried, how about those of us who have basic bed frames without slats?”. Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten you. If your bed frame only has a perimeter and a center support beam, you can add wooden slats to reinforce it and make it more supportive.
Metal frame
The most common issue with metal bed frames is loose screws. Check your bed’s slats and legs for any loose screws. Then just tighten the screws up with a screwdriver or wrench. Regularly check and tighten the screws to prevent your bed from squeaking or wobbling.
To reinforce your metal bed frame, you can also add metal slats or even an extra supportive center beam. Moreover, you can attach additional legs to the center support beam for more support in the middle of the bed.
If you have a noisy bed frame, you should also lubricate its connectors.
Platform bed
Platform beds, especially those made with solid wood, are highly durable and supportive. If you have an old platform bed that’s pretty worn-out and lacking in support, you can add wooden planks or a bunkie board between the bed base and the mattress. And although it is not really necessary, you can also add place a box spring on top of your platform bed if you want some extra height and support.
How to reinforce bed slats
One common way of reinforcing bed slats is by adding a thick layer plywood between them and the mattress. This evenly distributes weight across the bed base and makes it more supportive overall.
Adding new slats can also reinforce your bed base. The more slats you have, the sturdier your bed will be.
Another thing you can do is secure the slats to the bed frame. Many beds have slats that just sit on the rails unfastened. To secure the slats, just drill two screws through either end of each slat. You might also want to countersink the screws or nails into the wood to prevent them from damaging your mattress.
If for some reason you don’t want to permanently screw the slats to your bed frame, there is another way to prevent them from shifting. That is by using slat spacers. If you’ve never heard of it, these are simple items that can be purchased online or made at home. Slats spacers are great for securing and strengthening your bed’s slats.
When to replace a bed frame
Eventually, the time will come when reinforcing your bed frame may not be enough anymore. A broken bed frame is just beyond repair and replacing it is your only option. These are some signs that your bed frame needs to be replaced:
- Your mattress is sinking into the bed base
- Intense squeaking and creaking
- Splitting wood slats
- The bed frame screws are bent or twisted
- You are not getting a good night’s sleep anymore
When any of these start occurring, you should start thinking about buying a new bed frame.
FAQs
Minor issues such as loose screws and joints can be repaired, but a broken bed base is beyond repair.
If your bed is dipping in the middle, it means your bed base is not supportive anymore.
The two most stable bed frame types are metal bed frames and solid wood bed frames.
Conclusion
Instead of replacing your it with a non-squeaky bed frame right away, examine it first for the issues I mentioned above. Sometimes a few adjustments or repairs can reinforce a bed frame and extend its lifespan. Yes, these can take a bit of effort, but these methods can help you save hundreds of dollars on new bed frames.
Next step: Read our guide to the best bed frames for memory foam mattresses. If your bed frame is beyond repair, you have to face facts and realize that it’s time for a new one. We can personally verify that any frame on this list will last over the long run.
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