A Bunkie board provides support to the mattress and is usually thin and made from different materials such as plywood, particle boards, steel, solid wood, or plastic.
Bunkie boards are lightweight and easy to install but when installed incorrectly, they may produce squeaky sounds that are very disruptive and you will not enjoy your sleep or those sleeping around you.
While it is easy to point to the Bunkie board as the source of the sound, the Bunkie board does not produce the sound on itself but the sound comes from the friction between the Bunkie board and the bed or the mattress.
To eliminate the squeaky noise and make your sleep comfortable you need to identify the source of the squeaky sound, tighten and lubricate the bolts and screws, add padding to areas where there is friction, and finally wrap the Bunkie board in quilted fabric.
Table of Contents
1. Identify The Source Of The Squeaky Sound
To fix the squeaky sound, you need to identify its source first. You will be able to do this by removing the mattress and applying pressure on the Bunkie board.
Bunkie boards are usually made as one continuous panel board but some may have separated slats. These may be the ones rubbing against each other and producing the noise.
When the slatted Bunkie board is the one making noise, it is likely the nuts and the bolts holding the slats together have become loose and making the noise. Tighten them and rubricate them.
Solid wood Bunkie boards are known to expand in dump conditions and contract in hot conditions. If the Bunkie board has expanded and contacted the bed frame, it may be causing the squeaking sound that you hear. Add padding to the Bunkie board and you will eliminate the sounds.
The Bunkie board may not have any problems and even after inspecting you still find nothing. You will need to remove the Bunkie board and shake the bed frame. If you hear the squeaky sounds, the culprit is the bed frame.
You will need to identify all the bolts, nuts, and screws holding the bed frame together. Unbolt each, lubricate and re-fix and make sure it is completely tightened. By the time you are fixing the last one, the sound should be gone.
Ensure the bed frame legs do not move against the ground and cause a squeaky sound.
2. Identify, Lubricate And Tighten All Bolts, Nuts, And Screws In The Bunkie Board
Some Bunkie boards are connected to the bed by use of bolts and nuts while others don’t require them. You need to identify how your Bunkie board is secured to the bed.
Where the Bunkie board is secured by bolts and screws and is the source of the noise, you need to unscrew each of the bolts and screws. Check if there are breakages that may cause the sounds. If there are breakages, replace the broken nut or screw.
Check if there are washers between the bolts and the bed frame. If they are missing add the washers to make it more sturdy. Lubricated theme and tighten using the winch or the screwdriver. Ensure it is tightly secured.
If the Bunkie board is made of different slats that are joined together and they are the ones making the squeaky noise, you need to inspect the joints. Ensure the bolts and the screws are not broken and if they are you need to replace the broken parts.
Unscrew the slats, add washers to the screw and bolts if they are missing, lubricate them and secure them tightly.
3. Provide Padding
Sometimes the source of the squeaky noise may not be because of loose bolts and screws but may be caused by the friction between the Bunkie board and the bed frame.
In this case, there is nothing to tighten but what you need to do is reduce the friction between the Bunkie board and the bed frame.
One way to reduce the friction is by providing some padding between the board and the bed frame. This may be done by placing an old cloth or material between the Bunkie board and the bed frame.
Wrap the clothe around the edges of the Bunkie board. Make sure you apply the cloth padding as smoothly and evenly as possible to avoid raising the Bunkie board on one side and making sleeping uncomfortable.
You can buy and apply foam padded tape or non-slip tape that will eliminate the movements. The tapes are very thin and will not distort the Bunkie board for your comfort.
4. Wrap The Bunkie Board With Quilted Fabric
The Bunkie board may be making a squeaky noise from all areas because of the friction between the board and the mattress or the friction between the board and the bed frame slats.
In this case, there is no single quick fix but the solution will be to apply fabric to the whole Bunkie board if it did not come covered with the fabric.
In this case, you will need to have high-quality quilted fabric and fabric adhesive for application. Cut two pieces of cloth each slightly bigger than the measured dimensions of the Bunkie board to wrap around the edges.
Lay the Bunkie board on the ground and apply the fabric adhesive and carefully put the cut fabric on top. Ensure you apply the fabric evenly to fit the Bunkie board. Apply some pressure to the clothing to ensure it sticks, wrapping the extra clothing on the edges.
Turn the board on the other side, apply adhesive and apply the other piece of clothing. Make sure it is straight and evenly spread.
Apply pressure to make sure it sticks well ensuring you wrap the glued edges properly to cover the edges.
What If Everything Fails To Eliminate The Squeaky Noise?
Sometimes you may try everything and yet not get the solution to the squeaky noises made by the Bunkie board. The replacement option is more expensive but it might be the only solution available.
Make sure the Bunkie board does not exceed its carrying capacity before buying a replacement.
At this moment, it is time to consider replacing the bed furniture. If the problem is with the mattress, you can buy a new replacement mattress.
If the problem is with the mattress foundation or the bed frame, you may need to buy a new one.
Final Thoughts
Friction is the major cause of the squeaky noise in the bed and if you can eliminate the friction from the Bunkie bed, the squeaky noise will be eliminated.
The Bunkie board material will also determine how much squeaky noise is made with wood making less noise than metal Bunkie boards.
Your bed should not be making any squeaky sounds and should be comfortable to sleep on and ensure you are well-rested in the morning.
