Slatted Bedstead Preparation and Feel

Good Morning Shrrrk asked

9th October 2017

After spending a great deal of time trying out various mattresses, we’re rather keen on the ViSpring Herald Superb in medium tension, however our budget of £1000 (for king size) doesn’t stretch to this indulgence. As such, judging by your comfort chart and comments on the Herald Superb, we’re likely to go for your Artisan 1500 with it’s firmer feel and great price. This has led to two questions:
We currently have a bedstead with wide rigid slats offering little to no flex at all. We’re going to board over this with some plywood we have, however we also have some left over carpet underlay from our recent flooring. It’s good quality underlay, 10mm thick foam – would it be worth sticking this to the plywood to offer a slightly cushioned surface on which the mattress could rest? It will be wrapped in an old bed sheet regardless and I plan to put the plain plywood side onto the slats and the slightly padded side facing up to meet the mattress.
Secondly, when trying out mattresses, we got completely conflicting advice from different salesmen (both within the same store!). On suggested that putting a mattress on a solid slatted base is akin to having it directly on the floor and will make the mattress feel much firmer. The other suggested that putting a mattress on a solid slatted base is akin to having it directly on the floor and will make the mattress feel much softer. And I can see a degree of logic behind both suggestions! So, I wonder:
– will the mattress feel firmer, because it doesn’t have the additional flex of a sprung base?
– or –
– will the mattress feel softer, because you sink further into it, rather than relying on the give in a sprung base?
Thanks for your help!

1 Answer

Lee Lelant

answered 7 years ago

Good Morning Shrrrk,

Thank you for your questions.

We always advise to place some sheets of MDF or ply wood over a slatted base if the gaps are bigger than 3″. If they aren’t then there is no need to do this. The reason for the MDF or ply wood is that that mattress will attempt to settle within those gaps causing damage.

When any pocket sprung mattress goes on to a solid base then the spring tension inside will be firmed up. That top upholstery does not change (The comfort layer is a consistent feel and sensation). A sprung base will always soften down those springs inside the mattress.

There is a degree of logic in what both Advisor’s have told you; I would say that the firmest feel would be the mattress on the floor because with the solid slats you have the gaps between them providing a bit of ‘give’.

I hope this has answered your questions fully but if you do have any further queries then please don’t hesitate to contact me on 0161 437 4419. Our office is open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Kind Regards, Lee.