Most people today don't need to be privy to bedding and adjustable bed lingo like most of us in the mattress industry. Luckily, the sleep experts at Bed Tech are some of the most experienced professionals in the bedding industry who are eager to help clarify information surrounding boxsprings and adjustable beds. Here, bedding experts will help paint a picture to help you determine how to set up your new mattress and sleep system efficiently, with or without an adjustable bed frame or boxspring.
What Is A Boxspring Foundation?
Once upon a time, boxsprings—well, they sprang! Boxsprings used to have actual coil springs inside to accommodate flippable mattresses with comfort layers on both sides. The springs inside the boxspring provided flexibility and base conformability to prevent the compression of any pillow tops or layers on the double-sided mattress.
Today, because double-sided mattresses don't exist, box springs typically do not utilize any coil springs but rather a wood framework with a steel 'slat' structure encased in fabric. The new-fangled terminology derived from the term 'boxspring' has evolved into being called a foundation or box foundation. A boxspring, now known as a box or box foundation, is a rigid structure to support the weight of the mattress and sleeper(s) on top. A box foundation serves the following purposes:
- Provide a rigid structure to support the mattress and sleepers
- Add height to your existing bed frame
- Increase airflow between the mattress and bed frame
- Absorb motion, shock, and bounce when needed
Suppose you've decided to take charge of your sleep quality and potentially ‘pay off’ your sleep debt. In that case, you can easily upgrade your sleep game with an adjustable base, and the best news is that you will never need a box foundation with it.
How Is An Adjustable Bed An Upgrade From A Box Spring Foundation?
Adjustable bases have a tested and approved weight and lift capacity, and they can certainly hold more than your old-school box foundation and Hollywood bed frame setup. Like all Bed Tech adjustable bases, they hold up to 850 pounds, making Bed Tech bases a no-brainer choice if you are big, tall, muscular, or have a husky body type. Indeed, an adjustable bed is a significant upgrade from a boxspring foundation, not only because of the increased weight limit. Adjustable beds also carry a superabundance of benefits aside from their sturdy, solid and motionless structure. Some are appropriate for health-related issues, and others are considered ideal benefits for relaxing at your leisure, with the addition of multi-functional customization for your bed frame and mattress. An adjustable base, like the Bed Tech BT6500, is considered a fully equipped option, with all the bells and whistles, including functionality like:
- Pillow-tilt
- Lumbar support adjustment
- Head & Foot massage vibrations
- Underbed LED lighting
- USB charging ports
- One-touch flat position button
- Pre-programmed position button (anti-snore)
- Programmable memory position button
- Flashlight (built-in remote control)
- Bed Tech App Connectivity via Bluetooth
- Adjustable height legs
While the most recreational features of an adjustable base are listed above, moveable foundations, known as adjustable bases, can also help ease aches and pains related to many health conditions that cause intense sleep disruptions and chronic sleep deprivation. Sleeping in an upright or elevated position to support the curvature of your back and body can significantly impact breathing, posture, and ability to sleep more soundly. With an adjustable base, you can easily support a healthy posture while you sleep while reducing pain, discomfort, and adverse symptoms from health issues like:
- Sleep Apnea
- Acid Reflux
- G.E.R.D.
- Joint Dysfunction
- Arthritis
- Scoliosis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Sciatica
Can An Adjustable Base Take The Place of A Box Foundation?
When all that existed were hospital-style beds and the original ancient adjustable bed brands, adjustable bases could only stand alone on their legs, making it difficult to accommodate the addition of furniture like a panel bed frame or storage platform bed. Suppose you have a beloved bed frame with a headboard and footboard, like a family heirloom or a furniture piece that happens to be irreplaceable, and you love the look. If you've struggled to upgrade to an adjustable base in fear of having to get rid of your furniture, you can look no further than a Bed Tech adjustable bed with zero clearance. With this technology, an adjustable base can replace a box foundation or go on top of a platform bed.
This setup option allows you to configure the base without the metal legs to be placed on top of something else, like a platform bed, or to install the legs so the base will stand alone. It is important to note that when you have a zero clearance adjustable bed, fortunately, you have both options for setting up the base, and you don't have to choose one or the other when purchasing it.
The zero clearance design allows you to change or refresh your bed frame without hesitating about whether it will work with your Bed Tech adjustable base.
Long story short, if you have a bed frame with a headboard or footboard that requires a box foundation, you can easily upgrade to an adjustable base, by simply removing your boxspring and placing the zero clearance adjustable bed on top of the slats or solid surface of your bed frame. This setup option is possible even if there are only a few cross beams or slats to work with.
When Is A Box Foundation Required?
As mentioned above, a boxspring is never required when an adjustable base is in the configuration. A zero-clearance base can deliver all the perky features of an adjustable bed frame while accommodating a desire for luxurious, fresh, contemporary interior design. Besides, boxsprings are bulky, rigid, and hard to move anyway. And frankly, most will never miss a Hollywood bed frame or a boxspring foundation once they get rid of it, so don't hesitate to upgrade your box to an adjustable bed and say hello to personalized, multi-functional support, relaxation, better sleep quality, and comfort.
Now, when is a boxspring required? A boxspring is necessary when the framework needs to be higher to increase the overall height of the bed or when the framework needs extra support. For example, a box foundation is traditionally used with a basic Hollywood-style frame since it is typically only 7-8 inches off the floor. Additionally, most panel beds with a headboard, footboard, and rail system will require a box foundation to improve support, sometimes adding height but mostly rigidity to the structure.
A general rule of thumb is, with any platform, panel bed, or bed frame that isn't a Hollywood bed frame, it is best to add a boxspring if your slats are further than 2-3 inches apart. Don't need the additional height? Opt for the low-profile box foundation, measuring 5 inches, or a bunkie board, measuring 1.5-2 inches. Using the low profile options will accommodate additional support without added height.
As for adjustable bases, leg height options will accommodate the bed frame of your choice. This way, you can confidently build your adjustable bed sleep system with all the stylish accouterments that your fashionable heart desires. You can thoroughly enjoy the versatility and added comfort of an adjustable base without sacrificing your interior design style and certainly without using a box foundation!
Transform Your Space to Rejuvenate With Bed Tech
The ultimate result of over a decade of expertise in the bedding industry is providing multi-generations of people, like you and me, with an elevated sleep system designed for thoughtful living inside the bedroom. Are you asking yourself why Bed Tech? Compared to many other brands of mattresses and adjustable bases available, Bed Tech maintains a customer-first focus at the forefront while utilizing top-tier technical components with mechanical reliability. Bed Tech thrives on helping you commit to getting better sleep by furnishing the most rewarding sleep experience at the best value possible.
With that in mind, Bed Tech redefines bed bases with modern functionality, reliability, and sophistication by supplying the most luxurious sleep systems, with Bed Tech mattresses, adjustable bases, sheets, protectors, and pillows to fit every budget and lifestyle. With any Bed Tech adjustable base, you can effortlessly add comfort and convenience to help address health or sleep-related concerns while adding versatility, style, and sophistication to your interior decor. And you can trust the sleep experts- no boxspring is required!