New Box Spring?

[sport]

The places that sell mattresses always seem to tell people that when a mattress is replaced, the box spring should be replaced at the same time. There is clearly a conflict of interest as the seller will have a bigger sale if both are replaced. However, that does not necessarily make the advice untrue. Is it really necessary/advisable to replace the box spring when a new mattress is purchased?

[livesoft]

I always laugh at these mattress ads. There is one ad that is saying replace your mattress every 7 years like it is motor oil or something.

The mattress I sleep on is as good as the day it was purchased about 23 years ago. I have mattresses of the same age in the guest rooms that get very little action, so I can compare to a practically "new" mattress to a 23-year-old mattress and vouch they are the same. Plus I sleep in hotels often enough to try out other mattresses. The one at home is great.

And yes, if your box springs are decent, why shouldn't they last forever.

[sport]

The mattress I sleep on is as good as the day it was purchased about 23 years ago.

This is excellent performance! What type of mattress is this?

[livesoft]

Performance? When talking about a mattress? Weird. It's some kind of posturepedic, queen, firm.

[runner3081]

I always laugh at these mattress ads. There is one ad that is saying replace your mattress every 7 years like it is motor oil or something.

There is a radio ad in Phoenix that tells you that it is ok to blow a bunch of money on a mattress, because you only buy x number in your life

[Teague]

I always laugh at these mattress ads. There is one ad that is saying replace your mattress every 7 years like it is motor oil or something.

There is a radio ad in Phoenix that tells you that it is ok to blow a bunch of money on a mattress, because you only buy x number in your life

And this is exactly why you need my services. I've become certified as a F.A. (Firmness Advisor) to help folks manage their mattress-related assets. After all, shouldn't you leave something so important to a professional? Why would you want to settle for average mattress performance when, with our help, you may achieve superior sleep results? Let us help you take advantage of dynamic mattress trends, including when to churn (err, replace) your mattress. All for the low, low fee of 1% AUM - Amount Under Mattress.

[livesoft]

Warren Buffett is my F.A.:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF5LKpLPGrQ

or more recently:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XFwlNVRD5M

[2pedals]

Warren Buffett is my F.A.:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF5LKpLPGrQ

or more recently:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XFwlNVRD5M

Thanks Livesoft you made my day

[sport]

All of these replies have been most entertaining. However, the question remains: Is it necessary to replace the box spring when the mattress is replaced?

[livesoft]

If the box spring has the same dimensions as the mattress, then no.

Think about the Laws of Physics and you will see why that is true.

And some people put a board or panel between the box spring and the mattress for even more support.

[mrc]

No it's not. Unless the existing box spring is broken. Although you may find it difficult to buy a quality top mattress as a separate.

[2pedals]

All of these replies have been most entertaining. However, the question remains: Is it necessary to replace the box spring when the mattress is replaced?

I think in order to determine that one would have to inspect the box spring. Is the platform appropriate for your new mattress? Does the box spring have broken slats? Does the box spring show signs of "sagging and/or wear and tear"? Did your children jump and down on it and make a trampoline out of it? Did your kids play football on it? Was the box spring replaced with the previous mattress? I would say you do not have to replace it every time you replace your mattress if you did not do unusual things to it.

[Teague]

All of these replies have been most entertaining. However, the question remains: Is it necessary to replace the box spring when the mattress is replaced?

The straight and boring answer is "probably not, unless you are a box spring manufacturer."

https://www.stlbeds.com/what-is-a-boxsp ... really-do/

[miles monroe]

you don't use box springs if your new mattress is one of the memory foam ones; so you would need to replace the box springs with something else.

fwiw -- my mattress is 35 years old and there's not a thing wrong with it.

[Clark Kent]

It's not uncommon for the warranty to be void if you do not get the box spring. The last 2 mattresses I bought ($800 queen & $2000 king) there was only about $100-150 cost for the box spring on the invoice.

[N1CKV]

Note that most of what is sold today is NOT a "box spring" - it is a "Foundation".
The difference? A foundation is nothing but a box covered in fabric. There is no spring.

I built one using 2X4s and cedar fence boards (looks like a pallet when complete). Finish it with a bedskirt and no one knows the difference. Added bonus of cedar aromatics.

[minesweep]

My brother and his wife are still using the Serta mattress (the best one they made back then) when they got married nearly 55 years ago.

[lthenderson]

Note that most of what is sold today is NOT a "box spring" - it is a "Foundation".

I am reminded of one road trip through SW Utah many years ago when I stayed at one of those motels that advertised rooms from $20 a night. I flopped down on the bed and was amazed that I didn't hear the normal creaks or groans from the box spring. I lifted up the corner of the mattress and saw that the "box spring" was actually two layers of cinder blocks stacked up with the mattress on top. I don't remember having any trouble sleeping that night either.

[minesweep]

Note that most of what is sold today is NOT a "box spring" - it is a "Foundation".

I am reminded of one road trip through SW Utah many years ago when I stayed at one of those motels that advertised rooms from $20 a night. I flopped down on the bed and was amazed that I didn't hear the normal creaks or groans from the box spring. I lifted up the corner of the mattress and saw that the "box spring" was actually two layers of cinder blocks stacked up with the mattress on top. I don't remember having any trouble sleeping that night either.

And I won't call you a blockhead for sleeping on it. Whatever works.

[weltschmerz]

You could just get a platform bed, and you will never need a Box Spring again. A few years ago, I built my own using about $100 of lumber from Home Depot. I wanted it to be low so that our aging cat could easily jump up on it. I find that the platform is supporting my coil spring mattress better than my old box spring ever did. I used to wake up with a sore back, but not anymore. Here is a picture of it:



The plans for building such a bed are loosely based on the plans found here:
http://www.ana-white.com/2012/01/plans/ ... atform-bed

[Pajamas]

I definitely agree with the idea that no box spring is needed at all and that you are actually better off as far as comfort without one. This is especially true if you get a foam mattress but is still true with a traditional innerspring mattress.

If you need or want the extra height that a box spring provides, you can get a foundation as mentioned above and it doesn't have to match the mattress as it is just a platform. You can even get a piece of masonite or similar material and put over your current box spring, it's just not as pretty.

[new2bogle]

I should go buy a used 25 year old mattress. The ones we buy only last 3-5 years before they become all lumpy, lose all edge support and cause a painful night's rest.

[taguscove]

A box spring's purpose is to provide a flat surface and raise the bed to your preferred height (i.e. sexy time height).
If your current box spring does that, a new box spring is not necessary. Many current beds are even designed to remove the need for boxsprings.


On a related topic, the mattress industry is amazingly opaque. Even the online mattress review sites are really self-serving and rife with conflicts of interest. I recommend buying from Costco or one of the online foam mattress sites.