Bed Foundations, Blog, Latex Mattress FAQ's, Latex Mattresses
Do I Need a Box Spring for My Organic Latex Mattress? Your Top Alternatives Revealed
Mar
Box Springs and Solid Wood Foundations for Latex Mattresses
If you’re in the market for a new latex mattress or searching for a custom latex mattress and wondering if you need a box spring, then this article is for you…
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The short answer is no, you don’t need a box spring for your mattress! What you need is a solid wood foundation, which doesn’t necessarily have to be a box spring. In fact, you’ll be happier if you choose a box spring alternative instead.
If you read until the end of this post, you'll have all the information you need to make an educated decision on what mattress foundation will best protect your latex mattress investment.
Why Do you need a Mattress Foundation?
1. Proper Support
Without a proper foundation and mattress support, your mattress will “sink” or dip or sag and become uncomfortable. But what’s even worse than the lack of comfort this sinkage causes is the lack of support. If your mattress doesn’t evenly support your body as you sleep, then you’ll likely wake up in the morning with aches and pains. When it comes to lack of support and sagging problems, boxsprings are a primary offender.
There are several box spring alternatives that will provide a better foundation for your mattress to rest on. Alternatives like platform beds, wood foundations, and adjustable beds are longer-lasting than boxsprings. Using one of these alternatives means you’ll have appropriate support and firmness for your back throughout the night.
So even though box springs used to be considered a practical and functional part of your bed’s setup, they have become largely outdated. There are better options to choose from now! But you may be wondering…
Why are box springs so popular?
Why have I heard I need a box spring for my new bed?
You may have heard these claims cited by outdated sources, or by companies just trying to sell you a box spring. And if this is the case, then don’t worry! Thinking you need a box spring for your mattress is common, and even though it’s fiction, believing the false information isn’t your fault!
Below, I’ll explain how box springs work in comparison to not having a mattress foundation at all. After we get this foundational information out of the way, I’ll be able to compare box springs to the three alternatives we (and most reputable mattress companies) recommend.
Many customers we speak with over the phone and in our Charleston Mattress Showroom think they can use an existing box spring (like the one pictured above) for their latex mattress, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The coils you see in the box spring x-ray photo above simply don’t provide the rock-solid support you’ll need with a latex mattress.
Box Springs were created to be used with a traditional inner spring mattress so that the box springs would compress just like the mattress. For a time, this was great because it created extra softness and comfort. But now, with the rise of new mattress technology, box springs have largely become outdated. Even new inner spring mattresses need solid support.
Latex mattresses need more support than any box spring could give!
Putting your Latex Mattress on the Floor, without a Frame or Foundation…
Can you put your mattress on the floor without a box spring or foundation?
Absolutely! In fact…
Big mattress stores down the street from your house would disagree with the statement above, but that’s okay. They just want you to buy a boxspring from them with your new mattress! I’m here to help make sure you have the best night’s sleep of your life! Some people choose to leave foundations out of the picture altogether. A few common reasons to place your mattress flat on the floor include:
- Necessity
- Aesthetic value
- The desire for a more minimalist bedroom
- Test the support a proper foundation should give
And even though some sleepers prefer being closer to the ground like this, one of the downsides to keeping your mattress on the ground is that there won’t be properly ventilated as you sleep. Actually, the ventilation problem is why boxsprings were originally created…
Another problem with having the mattress directly on the floor is that moisture can get trapped between the floor and the mattress causing mold to grow which will ruin the mattress cover and if it continues for too long it will ruin the latex too.
What’s the purpose of a box spring?
Box springs were originally developed to work in unison with coil mattresses and to lay on top of metal rail frames like this:
This combination of metal rail frame and box spring was looked at as a way to help absorb the daily shock of a person getting in and out of bed. But unfortunately, the promise didn’t match the function. Over the years it has become clear that there are really only two benefits to using a box spring instead of placing your mattress directly on the ground.
First, as a way to suspend your bed above a dirty floor where dust and other allergens settle. Pure function, but not much of a benefit. The second reason is more important; to improve ventilation.
The primary reason boxsprings exist is to help improve ventilation, in comparison to placing your bed flat on the floor.
Also, they increased the height of the mattress, making it easier to get in and out of the bed.
Another reason box spring bases have become popularized in the past few decades is that they were marketed as a method of mold prevention.
The University of Missouri released an article discussing mold prevention in residential homes. They caution that “poorly ventilated closets get damp and musty during continued wet weather, and articles stored in them are apt to mildew. Try to improve the air circulation by opening the closet doors or by installing a fan.”
Though they’re talking about closet ventilation and not mattress ventilation, the scientific explanation holds true for your mattress. In fact, it may be even more important for your mattress because after all, you don’t sleep in your closet.
The less ventilation a mattress has, the greater the chance for mold. This likelihood increases exponentially if you live in a hot, humid climate or if you keep your mattress on the floor in a damp space (such as a basement).
Keep this in mind as we move into box spring alternatives below. When you compare a box spring to the floor, box springs have ventilation benefits. But when you compare it to other foundation alternatives, the box spring will be at the bottom of the list when it comes to ventilation.
- Provides a riser so that the mattress is not on the floor.
- How it makes your bed look, if you want it raised up.
- Provides more ventilation than a mattress directly on the ground.
- Known breeding ground for dust mites, mold, and mildew.
- Can cause mattress to feel too firm or soft – both of which can negatively impact sleep quality.
- Poorly designed foundation can nullify the benefits of a premium mattresses, especially organic latex mattresses.
- Poor ventilation when compared to alternatives.
- Cheaply manufactured and not designed to withstand the weight of foam and latex mattresses over long periods of time.
- The give in box springs can lead to dipping and sagging in latex and foam mattresses.
It’s true, major brands still push the perceived value of a box spring set to most mattress buyers!
They emphasize the importance of it for the sake of the bed because they’re cheap, and easy way for the mattress company to make more money. Not only that, but certain warranties will not cover a mattress by itself; they’ll require that a consumer also buys a box spring with the mattress, or else they won’t have a warranty at all!
Yup…
Even though box springs are no longer necessary due to the innovation of other alternatives, many consumers are told that they absolutely need one if they want that warranty in the event of an accident. For these reasons, consumers are still buying box springs even though they’re not necessary and, in some cases, actually bad for your mattress.
Instead of a boxspring, go with a platform bed or solid, premium wood foundation as a way of protecting your mattress investment.
Doing so is even more important if you’re buying a bed that’ll last you years and years, like a custom natural latex mattress.