A mattress with a foundation

Do I Need To Buy A New Foundation When Buying A New Mattress?

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Is The Foundation The Basis For Every Mattress Built And Do I Need One?

Do I Need to Buy a New Foundation when Buying a New Mattress?

Some of these supporting bases are flexible and some are not. In most cases, I would say yes to a new foundation in conjunction with your new mattress, but there are exceptions. If you are putting your mattress on a solid platform, no foundation is necessary unless you need more height. Another example where a person would not use a foundation is when they are putting a mattress on an adjustable base because they do not flex. The adjustable base will replace the need for a foundation. However, make sure your mattress can be used on an adjustable base.

Different Mattresses May Have Different Foundation Requirements

This is an important factor because they will keep your mattress within its warranty guidelines. When buying most latex mattresses it is important to make sure that the foundation is built with slats that are spaced about 2” apart. Refer to the mattress warranty card to be sure. This allows the mattress to breathe and still gives it a rigid foundation to set the mattress upon. The use of an old fully flexible box spring is not recommended because it gives too much. A rigid platform or even a drawer pedestal will do fine.

Most manufacturers of memory foam mattresses recommend a rigid foundation, platform, or semi-flexible boxspring that doesn’t have any give. We frequently get asked if a soft side waterbed can be used on a foundation or a boxspring designed for a conventional spring mattress and the answer to that is NO! A queen 7” deep softside waterbed can weigh 1400-1500 lbs. Use it with a regular foundation and you may find yourself sleeping on the floor. If you want to use it on a platform or drawer pedestal make sure the system has the proper support needed to support the weight of a waterbed.

Will Not Use A Boxspring Foundation Void My Warranty?

Finally, I must say I am a bit puzzled by the warranties on mattresses these days. Years ago when most were two-sided mattresses the manufacturers said to use them on a Full-flexed boxspring. The story was that the boxspring did a large portion of the work making the mattress last longer and keeping your mattress within the warranty requirements. Now with the new fire code #1633, most mattresses are one-sided and put on a semi-flex spring or rigid wood foundations. We are now told they will last just as long. It kind of makes you wonder if someone is pulling our leg.

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