If you consider adding a lift to your mattress and wondering which between a bunkie board and plywood is better, you are in the right place.
The mattress support system you choose affects your sleep and comfort. It also influences how you feel once you wake up.
If you choose a foundation that does not adequately support your mattress, you are most likely to be having painful mornings.
Although both bunkie boards and plywood offer excellent mattress support, they differ in several aspects. While bunkie boards are more robust and durable, plywood is less expensive and easier to find. The choice of the mattress support system will sometimes be down to taste and preference.
Bunkie boards can be made from a variety of materials such as plywood, particle boards, metal sheets solid wood or plastic while plywood is made from thin plies of wood that have been hot glued together.
In this article, we will compare the two materials to help you know which to choose.
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Can You Use Plywood Instead Of A Bunkie Board?
If you have bought a new mattress that requires a flat surface base, you might be wondering whether to choose a bunkie board or plywood.
Your choice will depend on your specific needs and other factors. There are several factors that you need to put into consideration.
Here is a comparison between a bunkie board and plywood to help you make an informed decision.
1. Durability
A bunkie board lasts longer and the choice of material used to make the bunkie board will determine how long it lasts.
Metallic bunkie boards last over 20 years while solid wood bunkie boards last more than 10 years.
On the other hand, plywood will last between 3-5 years and will depend on the environment in which they are used.
A bunkie board made from steel will not be affected by moisture while plywood used in a moist environment will absorb water and expand.
It will also undergo rapid degradation from moisture. Furthermore, a bunkie board has a rigid construction making it resistant to bending and shrinkage. It can withstand dynamic loads for years.
Bunkie boards and plywood vary in terms of thickness. A bunkie board has a thickness ranging between 1 to 3 inches. In contrast, that of plywood ranges from 1/8 to 3 inches.
Therefore if strength and durability are factors you are considering choosing between the two, a bunkie board will be a better option.
2. Weight Bearing Capacity
Weight-bearing refers to the amount of weight that can be supported without changing the structural integrity of the bunkie board or the plywood.
Bunkie boards are made from more sturdy materials and have higher weight-bearing capacity compared to plywood.
Metallic bunkie boards have the highest weight-bearing capacity which may be over 500 pounds while plywood has a weight-bearing capacity of 200-350 pounds.
When you consider placing a heavy mattress and a heavy person on the bed, a bunkie board will be better than plywood as the mattress support system.
3. Weight
This refers to the weight of the bunkie board and the plywood. Since bunkie boards are made of stronger materials to bear much more weight, they tend to be heavy.
Plywood, on the other hand, is made of thin sheets of timber and is not designed for weight bearing therefore it is lightweight.
Bunkie boards will add significantly more weight to the bed compared to plywood.
If the bed frame cannot bear heavy weight, go for plywood.
3. Appearance
A bunkie board is more aesthetically appealing than simple plywood. Usually, bunkie boards are graded, sanded, and decorated.
They are painted, dyed, or wrapped with a fabric covering to complement your décor. While plywood is not polished, it is neither painted, stained, nor has a covering.
When the look and feel of your bed have great importance to you, a bunkie board is a right choice.
4. Price
Price is one of the vital factors you need to consider when deciding whether a bunkie board or plywood will be better. Plywood is usually cheaper than bunkie boards.
The price of a bunkie board ranges from $50 to $150 and is even higher depending on the material used.
On the other hand, plywood costs $50 on average, depending on its width and grade.
Therefore, plywood is a better option when you need a support system for your mattress at a lower price.
Where price consideration is the key factor, plywood is the best choice. If price is not the greatest determining factor, bunkie boards will give quality support.
5. Convenience
Bunkie boards offer great convenience compared to plywood. Usually, bunkie boards are premade and already cut to size. Also, it is simple to install. All you need to do is to lay it on the frame.
While on the other hand, plywood is not premade but comes in sheets that you will have to cut to size and install to your bed base.
You can use a DIY approach to prepare a plywood foundation for your mattress. First, accurately measure your bed frame.
Then trim the plywood sheet to fit the dimensions and place it beneath the bed.
6. Compatibility with mattress types
Although both bunkie boards and plywoods work well with all mattresses, how they allow airflow in and out of bed differs.
Plywood has a flat surface that does not let any air circulation—lack of airflow results in heat retention and moisture buildup on your mattress, encouraging mold development.
While a slatted bunkie board allows air to flow in and out of the mattress.
Even if the spaces are not too wide, they are enough to discourage heat and moisture buildup. This is especially useful for foam and latex mattresses.
Conclusion
Mattresses especially foam and latex mattresses are likely to be damaged by the kind of bed frame they are put on.
While most bed frames have slates in them, the slats may be widely spaced causing the mattress to sag and be damaged.
To prevent the mattress from sagging, you may need to add some support and this is where bunkie boards and mattresses come in.
Buying a good foundation for your mattress is very vital. It ensures you have better sleep and better mornings. So, is a bunkie board better than plywood?
That will depend on several factors. If you are a DIY person and need a budget-friendly option, plywood will fit you. All you need is a bit of physical work.
However, a bunkie board will be ideal if you need a strong, ready-made, durable, and aesthetically-pleasing foundation for your mattress.
