Queen size box-spring on metal bed frame 8-way hand-tied box spring A box-spring (or divan in some countries) is a type of

bed base A bed base, sometimes called a foundation, is the part of a bed that supports the mattress. The bed base can itself be held in place and framed by the bedstead ( bed frame). In the United States, box-spring bed bases are very common (to the p ...

typically consisting of a sturdy wooden frame covered in

cloth Textile is an umbrella term that includes various fiber-based materials, including fibers, yarns, filaments, threads, and different types of fabric. At first, the word "textiles" only referred to woven fabrics. However, weaving is n ...

and containing springs. Usually, the box-spring is placed on top of a wooden or metal

bedframe A bed frame or bedstead is the part of a bed used to position the bed base, the flat part which in turn directly supports the mattress(es). The frame may also stop the mattress from sliding sideways, and it may include means of supporting a can ...

that sits on the floor and acts as a brace, except in the UK where the divan is more often fitted with small

caster A caster (or castor) is an undriven wheel that is designed to be attached to the bottom of a larger object (the "vehicle") to enable that object to be moved. Casters are used in numerous applications, including shopping carts, office chairs, t ...

s. The box-spring is usually the same size as the much softer

mattress A mattress is a large, usually rectangular pad for supporting a person Lying (position), lying down, especially for sleeping. It is designed to be used as a bed, or on a bed frame as part of a bed. Mattresses may consist of a Quilting, quilted o ...

placed on it. Working together, the box-spring and mattress (with an optional bed frame) make up a bed. It is common to find a box-spring and mattress being used together without the support of a frame underneath, the box spring being mounted directly on casters standing on the floor.

Purpose

The purpose of a box-spring mainly lies in the trade-off between ventilating the bed through the bottom and the structural stability of the box-spring itself.

Other Purposes

The box-spring has a variety of advantages and purposes. Purposes include: * elevating the mattress above the ground, increasing the ease of getting into bed and getting out of bed; * Providing ventilation and allowing body moisture to escape, reducing the growth of mold and mildew due to moisture retention; * Creating a relatively flat and firm structure for the mattress to lie upon; * Enhancing aesthetics or design-style value.

History

The first rectangular spring-cushioned wireframes to support mattresses did not have wood rims or cloth covers. These were called ''bedsprings''. More and more box-springs are made of wood and then covered in fabrics. Wood makes a better support system for the newer memory foam and latex mattresses. The newest design in box-springs is the folding box spring, which is made of wood or metal and then covered in fabric that can fold in half and be sent by shipping and courier companies. With the increasing height of mattresses, manufacturers now make box springs in different heights so that the mattress and box spring pair maintain a standard height. Standard "high profile" box springs are in height, whereas "low profile" box springs are between . Changing the thickness of the box spring and mattress requires revisions to the mattress and box spring coil stiffness. This is often why box springs and mattresses are matched and sold in pairs.

Alternatives

Box-spring beds are especially popular in North America and Western Europe. Alternatively, in Japan,

futon A is a traditional Japanese style of bedding. A complete futon set consists of a and a . Both elements of a futon bedding set are pliable enough to be folded and stored away in a large during the day. This allows a room to serve as a bedro ...

mattresses are usually placed on a bedframe or the floor without using springs. In Europe, wooden frames with a middle section consisting of springs held in place by wire (to be put into the wooden bedframe as a unit) used to be the standard for most of the 20th century. The springs have mostly been replaced by pre-bent wooden slats (usually glued laminated timber made from

beech Beech (genus ''Fagus'') is a genus of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to subtropical (accessory forest element) and temperate (as dominant element of Mesophyte, mesophytic forests) Eurasia and North America. There are 14 accepted ...

birch A birch is a thin-leaved deciduous hardwood tree of the genus ''Betula'' (), in the family Betulaceae, which also includes alders, hazels, and hornbeams. It is closely related to the beech- oak family Fagaceae. The genus ''Betula'' contains 3 ...

), which are joined to the outer wooden frame by some form of flexible rubber bolt, shoe or socket. This lath floor provides suspension, allows the mattress to ventilate, and can be designed to be vertically adjustable to elevate the legs or the torso. A more straightforward approach is to join straight

lath A lath or slat is a thin, narrow strip of straight-grained wood used under roof shingles or tiles, on lath and plaster walls and ceilings to hold plaster, and in lattice and trellis work. ''Lath'' has expanded to mean any type of backing m ...

s with a textile strap to be rolled up for transport and placed right into the bedframe.

References

{{Bedding Bedding Furniture Upholstery