Box Springs Vs. Bed Slats: Basics for Provo Sleepers

07 Jan Box Springs Vs. Bed Slats: Basics for Provo Sleepers

When it comes to quality sleep and the realm of mattresses, few themes are more important than support. A mattress is only as good as its support foundation, and most mattresses utilize one of two formats for this: A box spring or a set of bed slats.

At 2 Brothers Mattress, we’re proud to offer a wide variety of mattress options for our Provo clients, from twin and full mattresses up to queen and king options for any size template and material you may require. We’re also happy to assist you with important choices for your mattress, such as choosing between box springs and slats for your support foundation. What are each of these, and what are some important factors to evaluate as you’re selecting between them? This two-part blog series will go over everything you need to know.

Box Springs Basics

For those unfamiliar, box springs refer to a support format where a platform covered in fabric will be placed directly underneath your mattress after it’s been removed from its packaging and laid out. A box spring is usually made of metal, and it’s labeled as such due to the fact that its components resemble a box (two or four vertical posts with a cross-brace). Additionally, this platform will be filled with numerous springs to provide vital support for your mattress.

Box springs traditionally have coil springs for bounce and durability, but modern options actually don’t use springs. Instead, they use a variety of materials for support, like foam options that are similar to the quality you’d expect from today’s memory foam mattresses (although often quite firmer).

Box springs are common in twin up to king-sized bed setups because they provide an excellent flat surface under your mattress. We’ll go over some of their benefits and drawbacks in part two of our series.

Bed Slats Basics

On the other hand, bed slats refer to wooden or metal planks that run horizontally, typically used to hold a mattress on a platform bed or similar setup. These are often used by individuals who purchase futons or bunk beds, but they can be used in any other situation as well. Some slats are rather thin and flimsy, while others may be thicker for sturdier support. Boards can either be standard or sprung — standard planks are flat and have no flexibility, while sprung slats are able to absorb pressure when they are weighted.

In many cases, bed slats are ideal for people who sleep on their back, stomach and side, because they distribute weight evenly. While box springs also provide great support, they may not be quite as ideal for even weight distribution for some people.

For more on choosing between box springs and bed slats for your mattress support needs, or to learn about any of our new mattresses or other accessories in Provo or other parts of Utah, speak to the team at 2 Brothers Mattress today.