A mattress needs a support system for it to hold the weight placed on it and to maintain its shape. Slats and bunkie boards provide support to the mattress.
Slats are connections between one end of the bed to the other and are usually spaced out. Slats are placed across the width of the bed and can be moved independent of the bed or are screwed to the bed frame. Bunkie boards are flat thin boards that are placed on top of bed slats to provide additional support to the mattress.
Due to the spaces between the slats, a mattress will sag and cause damage. The mattress will also not be comfortable to sleep on.
A bunkie board will cover the gaps between the slats and ensure the mattress is on a flat even surface and therefore protecting the mattress from damage and adds to comfort on the bed.
A Bunkie board can be used alone if the weight to be supported is not much like when kids are sleeping on the bed but you will need extra support when the weight to support is great. Slats can be used without Bunkie boards.
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Why Use The Bunkie Board?
The choice of whether to use Bunkie board alone or Bunkie board and slats is difficult to make and will depend on several factors.
There are several advantages of Bunkie boards that make them an attractive choice.
1. They Are Cost-Effective
Bunkie boards are thin usually 1-3 inches thick and are made with materials that are not as expensive such as plywood and particle boards.
This makes them affordable and is widely available and can even be ordered online. They also come in different sizes to suit your needs.
2. They Have A Solid Surface
Most Bunkie boards have no slatted materials and where the slats exist like in the metallic Bunkie boards, sturdy material is wrapped on top that eliminates the gaps between the slats.
This flat surface ensures the mattress is supported evenly and the weight placed upon t is spread over the side area.
3. They Are Light-Weight
Bunkie boards are thin and are generally made of light materials. They do not add any significant weight to the bed frame. They can weigh as little as 9 pounds.
4. They Are Easy To Move
Most Bunkie boards will come in splits making them easy to move and store. Coupled with their lightweight, they can be moved around easily without much hustle.
They can also fit in tight spaces and will not take much storage space.
The disadvantage of using Bunkie boards is that since they are thin and lightweight, they are unable to support a great weight.
This means they cannot bear much weight and cannot be used alone in most cases. This will necessitate additional costs.
The Bunkie boards are also sensitive to weather. The boards will absorb water from the atmosphere and expand.
This will make them not fit in the bed frame and may be the source of squeaky noise due to friction with the bed frame.
Bunkie boards do not last as long and they will need replacement every 3-5 years. This will however depend on the material used to make the bunkie board and the environment where it is used.
Due to their flat nature, unless the Bunkie board is grooved, they provide poor ventilation to the mattress.
Why Use The Slats?
Though some bedframes will come without the slats included, most bed frames have slats in them.
The slats may be fixed to the bed frame or they may be movable such that they can be moved independently of the bed frame.
The main advantages of using the bed slats include:
1. They Last Longer
Slats are made of significantly thicker materials usually over 2 inches thick and wide. They are mostly made of solid wood though other materials can be used.
This makes the slats more resistant to damage and can last longer than a Bunkie board.
2. They Provide Good Ventilation
Due to the nature of the spaces between the individual slats, the air can circulate freely in the mattress.
This ensures no damp air is trapped beneath the mattress and thus extends the life of the mattress especially foam and latex mattresses that need lots of ventilation.
3. They Have A Higher Weight Capacity
Bed sluts are made of sturdy materials that are strong and can support higher weights. The spacing between the slats will additionally determine how much weight they can carry.
When the slats are closely spaced, they carry greater weight than when they are widely spaced out.
4. Easy To Repair
Any damage occurring to an individual slat can be easily repaired by just replacing the broken slat. Bunkie boards are hard to repair once they become broken.
Bed slats have disadvantages that make it impossible to use them alone for mattress support.
First, they cause the mattress to sag due to the spaces between the slats. This sagging will damage the mattress and shorten its life, especially foam and latex mattresses.
Secondly, they are expensive. Due to the material used to make them, they are expensive to make and buy.
Third, they are heavy. To support the great weight, the material used must be strong and heavy to withstand the load added. This makes slats extremely heavy and it is difficult to move them from place to place.
Can Bunkie Board Replace Slats?
A Bunkie board can replace slats as the mattress support system in certain cases. This includes the following:
1. The Weight To Carry Is Low
When the weight to be carried on the bed is low, you can use a bunkie board. A twin bunkie board made of plywood or particleboard can hold around 200 pounds of weight.
When the weight to be supported is in that range, the slats can be replaced by the bunkie board.
2. When A Thin Mattress Is To Be Used
When you intend to use a thin mattress, slats may be uncomfortable to sleep on. You will wake up with your ribs and back hurting.
In this case, you will need a bunkie board to make your sleep more comfortable.
3. When The Mattress Is Likely To Sag
When the mattress you are using is likely to sag, a bunkie board will provide a flat surface that will prevent the mattress from hanging.
This will ensure the mattress stays in good condition for a longer time.
4. Where The Environment Is Conducive
Mattresses will develop mold, especially foam mattresses, from the cold environment.
When the area where you are living in hot and dry and the mattress does not need ventilation to stay in good condition, bunkie boards can be used.
When Bunkie Boards Cannot Replace The Slats
There are circumstances in which the bunkie board cannot and will never replace the slats these include:
1. Where The Environment Is Humid
A humid environment will cause the mattress to develop molds. Molds will cause damage to the mattress. In such a situation, the mattress needs a place where there is free movement of air to remove the cold damp air.
2. When Bunkie Board Likely To Water
The material making the bunkie board will react with water and cause damage to the board. It will expand after absorbing water making it lose its shape.
It will also start rotting away thereby compromising its integrity and capacity to hold weight.
3. When A Heavy Weight Is To Be Supported
This is usually the case when two adults share a bed. The weight they exert will exceed the carrying capacity of most bunkie boards.
In such a case you will need stronger support like the one provided by the slats.
Final Thoughts
Though the bunkie board can be used to support weight on the mattress, they are best used together with the slats to provide maximum support to the mattress and ensure a comfortable sleep.
The weight carrying capacity of bunkie boards will greatly increase with slats providing extra support.
