Can you advise on MDF for slatted bedstead?
Hi, I am really hoping that you can help me – I live in Canada and did not buy one of your mattresses, but am desperate for advice and came across your article on slatted bases and foam mattresses (https://johnryanbydesign.co.uk/understanding-beds/mattresses-for-slats-3/) I have a king size bed frame with sprung slats and a foam mattress and I am finding that if I kneel on the bed (or stand up on the mattress to open the window) the slats will break. Also, the mattress feels so much softer than it did in the store because of the base. I saw your guide to boarding over the slats and the picture and I have a question… In the picture the sides of the slats are not covered (i.e. there is a board at the top and down the centre so that it is in the shape of a ‘T’. Is this to allow the slats to move or should I be covering the slats completely with plywood. Also, would you use one sheet or a few?
Thanks very much in advance for you advice!
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Hi Karen.
Thanks for your email.
The picture is just an example so you can see where the slats are in relation to the boards.
Providing you board over the base to bridge the central bar (where it dips down) it doesn’t matter whether you use the the diagram as shown or entirely board over the slats.
If you want to ensure complete ventilation, ie if your not regularly turning or flipping your mattress, where possible, you can use pegboard which has tiny circular holes cut out to reduce chances of condensation getting trapped etc.
I personally don’t think the softness of your mattress is unduly due to your base, although I can’t be entirely sure why the model in the store felt different (firmer) to the model you received.
Furthermore, if you are standing on one are of the mattress – and there is insufficient mattress (ie a thin mattress) then the pressure on the slats will cause them to break as you describe.
I do think the boarding out of your base will spread the load more evenly and should help.
Hope that helps Karen.
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Lee
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