Bed slats - how to choose the right one and make it yourself, features of installation and replacement

Main features of bed slats

They are a plate or panel made of wood. They are included in the main part of each bed, assembled using modern technologies.

The main feature is the “C” shape

They can also support quite a large mass (the weight of a person and a mattress).

The slats are made from:

1. The most affordable and very plastic material is birch.
2. An analogue of birch in terms of characteristics is linden.
3. Beech.
4. Ash.
5. Maple.

Lamels made from birch are otherwise called armor. They are very popular and affordable.

Beech and ash slats are expensive and are included in the design of beds that are made only from wood, or rather solid wood.

The cheapest option is birch slats, the most expensive is beech

Lamels have the following positive qualities:

• Increased elasticity.
• Lightness of the plates.
• Extend the life of the bed as a whole.
• They have a springing effect.
• Thanks to them, air circulates more actively.
• Correctly support the spine during sleep.
• Not difficult to repair and maintain.

There is always a conflict between the slats and the springy base of the mattress. Such a bed base is quite expensive, and there are also certain sizes. This is the main disadvantage of lamellas.

Folding bed with slats

Nowadays, a folding bed with slats has become very popular. The convenience of such a bed cannot be overestimated. Basically, a folding bed with slats with a mattress is purchased mainly for a children's room. The design of such a finished bed is no different from a regular bed with slats. The only distinctive feature of a folding bed is the ability to disassemble and assemble it quickly and easily. The mobility of this bed is a factor influencing the buyer’s opinion to buy just such a model.

Folding bed with slats

Features and purpose

Modern mattresses require the most even base possible, making the sleeping person feel comfortable. An orthopedic bed frame with a rigid structure significantly extends the life of the mattress. On the sides, the structure has small sides that fix the position of the mattress. The central part of the metal frame is filled with special curved planks, which are called lamellas or armor.

Only high-quality, well-dried wood is used in the manufacture of bed slats. In production, the array is sawn into layers, which at a certain temperature are impregnated with an adhesive composition and become slightly curved. An important characteristic of finished products is their elasticity, which is possible due to the uniform arrangement of wood fibers. Therefore, not any wood is used in production, but only beech, birch, ash, maple, poplar. For additional protection against changes in humidity, the products are varnished.

The thickness of the plates ranges from 1-10 mm, width - 25-120 mm. When laying them in the base, the distance between the products from each other can be 2-6 cm. In the designs for double beds, two rows of slats are provided, separately for each sleeper.

More frequent installation ensures maximum reliability, which allows the bed to be used even by a person with significant weight. The maximum distance between the slats is chosen for light loads on the mattress. The standard for the base of a double bed 160x200 cm is considered to be a design with 30 crossbars. A smaller number may not provide the required strength. The minimum value is 22 slats for a double base.

The main functions of the rack base include:

• Ensuring good ventilation of the mattress. A lot of air enters the spaces between the slats, which maintains the optimal temperature at the point of contact between the body and the mattress;
• To fix the plates, special holders are used, which ensure a silent design;
• The flexibility and elasticity of the slats allows the mattress to take the most physiological position, which ensures good sleep and complete restoration of strength;
• Reducing and evenly distributing the load on the mattress, which significantly extends its service life. The likelihood of pathogenic microflora multiplying inside the mattress is reduced;
• The products are low cost, they do not greatly affect the final cost of the bed;
• The high base makes cleaning easy. The trash under the bed can be quickly swept away.

When choosing a bed or a base for it, it is important to explore the possibility of purchasing accessories in case of breakage or damage to any parts. Accessories for beds include not only slats, but also transformation mechanisms, lath holders, gas lifts for lifting mechanisms. If the orthopedic base has been damaged due to improper use, then it is possible to replace the damaged slats for the bed with your own hands. Breakage of lamellas often occurs when the air inside the room is too dry, when the wood dries out. In this case, it is recommended to regularly clean the surface of the planks with a damp cloth.

What are bed slats

This concept means slats that run across the base; they serve to support the mattress. However, recently, lamellas are increasingly being fixed on their own orthopedic base, which is installed inside the body.

A bed base like this, consisting of slats, is better than a solid one. It allows air to circulate, thereby making it easier to care for the mattress itself, because it “breathes”, and therefore, the moisture that has accumulated in it while the person was sleeping evaporates. Moisture accumulates in the mattress due to the fact that it is covered with a mattress pad and bed linen and a blanket are placed on it. Such slats prevent the greenhouse effect from occurring inside the mattress.

REFERENCE! The most comfortable battens have an elastic arched profile that provides a spring effect when pressure is applied to them.

Why do we need slats?

The base of an orthopedic bed is currently assembled like a puzzle. It consists of two to three dozen slats - lamellas, which are united by one frame. The slats serve as the bottom of the bed; a mattress with orthopedic characteristics is placed on them. Modern mattresses do not have uneven surfaces and are quite heavy in weight. The slats perform the following tasks:

1. Ventilate the mattress, allowing air to circulate.
2. They reduce the pressure exerted on the mattress, as well as the load transferred to the base of the bed.
3. Increases the anatomical capabilities of the mattress.
4. They allow you to create a spring effect, which is achieved by their shape. Thanks to it, there is no squeaking.
5. Extend the life of the bed.

Types of lamellas

Lamellas are divided into two main types: narrow and wide.

Narrow

The length of one yard is from 7 to 8 centimeters

They are usually located in two rows. In other words, there is one row for every sleeping position.

This type is best installed if the mattress is filled with independent springs.

Narrow slats are suitable for placement on the frame of a spring mattress

Wide

Wide slats are longer than narrow ones: this parameter is 9-10 cm

This type is arranged in a single row on the grille. They are most often used in single and semi-double beds.

Basically, springless mattresses or mattresses equipped with Bonnell springs are suitable for such a base.

Wide slats are suitable for springless mattress options

For a bed with two beds, the number of slats is considered to be 25 - 30 pieces. For one sleeping place there must be at least 15 slats.

The largest number of slats makes the bed more flexible and it can support quite a lot of weight.

You also need to take into account that the slats differ from each other:

• thick;
• length;
• width;
• distance between slats.

It is believed that the best lamella thickness is from 0.08 to 0.1 centimeters, a width from 5 to 7 centimeters, and the length will be the width of the bed or half of it.

The optimal distance between the yards can vary from 4 to 7 centimeters

There are also additional characteristics that help distribute lamellas by type.

For example:

1. Type of base. It can be either wooden or metal.
2. There are legs or they are missing.
3. How are they attached?
4. By size, that is, narrow or wide yards.
5. Transformers, that is, is it possible to take any comfortable position while resting.
6. Which options are used, straight or with a spring effect?
7. Is it possible to adjust the hardness?
8. By size.
9. According to the color palette.

Dimensions and parameters

Today, beds differ in the size of the sleeping places, primarily:

1. If the bed measures between 1.8 and 2 meters, it is considered a double bed. Ideal lamellas are products whose width varies from 8.8 to 8.85 cm.
2. For single beds, the width of the slats is about 9-10 cm (for single-row slats) and 5 cm (for double-row).

If the slats on the bed break, then the only option is to replace them. To do this, you need to know the bending angle of the part, measure its width and length.

The fasteners also differ in width: 0.4, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.8 centimeters. The thickness of the product is 8 mm.

In what form can I buy it?

The slats are sold as part of an orthopedic base in a bed and separately - individually. Like any other element of the stock, they are subject to stress and can break. Experts do not recommend sleeping on a bed even without one lamella: firstly, the load on the other parts of the bed increases and their integrity is called into question, and secondly, the orthopedic properties of the mattress and base, which are designed to evenly distribute the load on the spine and ensure healthy sleep, are reduced.

The slats are sold individually or as a set according to the size of the bed or sofa, so if one plank is cracked or completely broken, replacing it will not be difficult; all that remains is to choose the right replacement in terms of thickness and width. A set of slats can be sold on a strip if your bed uses this slatting system (by the way, it is already outdated). Additionally, you will have to buy spare parts for attaching the rail: a cap-holder (internal or overhead). There are component caps that hold the slats and are attached to the metal base of the bed without “intermediaries.”

Types of lamellas

The products differ due to the following characteristics. 1. By type of base (wooden and metal bases). 2. The presence of legs (either present or not). 3. Availability of fastenings (plastic, rubber, polypropylene). 4. By size (wide and narrow slats). 5. Transformers (you can choose any comfortable position). 6. Different characteristics (straight and spring slats). 7. Availability of a hardness regulator. 8. Length. 9. By color.

Oak slats are a favorite among many bed manufacturers.

Do-it-yourself double bed - it's possible!

A double bed is the main purchase for a young family. And its acquisition is a long time choice and a significant waste of money. So why not make a bed yourself, at home, while saving money and getting the size that fits perfectly into your interior. We will tell you how to make a beautiful and comfortable bed for two at home, with the most common size for a bed being 1.80 x 2.0 meters. It will be equipped with an “atamanka” with a lifting mechanism and a cavity for storing bed linen.

What can make a bed comfortable?

When choosing a sleeping place, where we spend one third of our lives, it is very important to be extremely careful and picky. After all, it’s better to buy a good and comfortable bed once and get up in the morning, as rested and healthy as possible, than to buy something that was imposed on you or something that you had enough money for, and then get up every morning as if you hadn’t slept at all, and before that unloaded KAMAZ with cement! Of course not, this option will not suit anyone, the quality of our sleep tomorrow, our performance and mood depend on how we slept and rested accordingly, which is why we should not skimp on this.

The mattresses that we are so accustomed to are already giving way to new and truly comfortable orthopedic mattresses, and the beds have acquired a new design, which includes special slats that, together with the mattress, create the opportunity for truly “high-quality” sleep.

The beneficial effect of such a bed is obtained due to the therapeutic and prophylactic effect of the orthopedic mattress and wooden slats. The slats themselves also have orthopedic properties. Orthopedic slats significantly reduce the load on the mattress and enhance its effect. Moreover, such slats can be used with a regular mattress, the benefits will be obvious.

Orthopedic slats

Types of holders

Additionally, lamellas can be classified according to the types of holders. They are:

1. Plastic.
2. Rubber.
3. Polypropylene.

If necessary, any type of fastening can be easily replaced.
Rails, regardless of how they are located, using tape or on a metal frame are a thing of the past. More practical and lightweight fastenings are now used. They are easily replaced and repaired in case of breakdown.

It is difficult to say which latoflexes are more practical and durable. But if we touch on the types of fastenings, then you should opt for fastenings made of polypropylene and rubber. Plastic is a more fragile material.

Slats for French folding bed

In our store you can purchase wooden slats for “French” folding beds, either individually or as a set.

French folding bed - This is a sofa that transforms into a large comfortable bed with a special transformation mechanism (Mixotoil). This type of upholstered furniture is not suitable for frequent use; it is used in cases where there are few sleeping places in the house, but guests still need to be accommodated comfortably. The method of transformation from a sofa to a bed is as follows: lifting three sections, fastened together with hinges, towards you. The main disadvantage of such furniture is the large number of hinges and the compactness of the frame; with frequent use of such a product, the frame may sag and wear out of the transformation mechanism. This can be solved by replacing the standard awning or mesh with durable orthopedic lamellas (“Bent-glued boards”). Also, a worn-out transformation mechanism can be replaced with a new one.

Choose high quality

We purchase all raw materials for the production of molded products from reliable suppliers, which always meet high quality standards. Thanks to the constant modernization of our woodworking equipment fleet and the use of innovative technologies, we ensure consistently high quality of the final product. The lamellas of our production are made of durable birch veneer and beech, have an optimal bending radius R of 4000-8000 mm, are produced in all standard sizes, are not coated with colorless varnish, as many people write, but are coated with heat-treated glue.

How to measure the lamella?

To determine the size of the lamella (bent laminated board), you can use a ruler or tape measure, applying the tool as shown in the figure. Particular precision in measurements is not required, since all batten holders have a gap of 3 to 5 mm.

ATTENTION! THE LENGTH OF THE PATTERN IS MEASURED ALONG THE ARC AS SHOWN IN THE FIGURE.

Quantity

When making slats for a bed with your own hands, it is important to know how many elements should be in the design. You also need to pay attention to this indicator when choosing furniture. The total number of armor depends on the material of manufacture. Durable, mechanically resistant slats can withstand significant weight even in small quantities. This explains why a metal bed has fewer plates compared to its wooden counterpart.

The second indicator that determines the number of slats is the number of beds. For a wooden double bed you need 25 to 30 slats. The minimum for a single-seat model is 15 pieces. The number of metal plates in a bed per person can be reduced to 10 or even 8 pieces.

The more latoflexes in the base, the more reliable the structure, but the worse the mattress is ventilated.

The position of the bed slats is determined not only by their number, but also by their distance. The pitch between the battens is also affected by the length of the berth. A bed with a wide sleeping area requires more closely spaced slats. The relationship between their number, the distance between them and the length of the bed is presented in the table.

In any case, the distance between latoflexes should not exceed their width.

The number of slats in the base is affected by the material of manufacture and the number of beds

The more often the latoflexes are located, the more reliable the design, but the worse the mattress is ventilated

The pitch between the battens also depends on the length of the berth

Lamella production

The production of plates takes place on Austrian equipment.

Option for assembling an orthopedic base from slats for a single bed.

Edged boards of different grades A-B are purchased. Using a planed board, the dissolution is made.

At any time, you can replace the slats yourself if one of them suddenly breaks.

After these operations, the board is processed on a machine. The last step is cutting the board.

Orthopedic base for a crib with built-in slats.

Two types of equipment are used for processing: 1. band dividing machine; 2. frame-saw device.

Plastic fastening for wooden slats is most suitable in appearance.

The second method is most often used

The speed of the sawing process depends on the type of wood and proper sharpening of the saws.

Double ortho bed base. Each half can be adjusted as needed.

Production can be divided into the following stages. 1. Material selection and quality control. 2. Preparation and drying of workpieces. 3. Sorting by length, width and thickness. 4. Manufacturing of lamellas.

Double bed with wide slats at the base.

How to make it yourself

Natural materials – wood – are used in production. Birch and poplar are perfect. An excellent way to create the perfect sleeping place is to make slats with your own hands. In this case, you can choose the number of slats to be installed.

Depending on the tool, you can use birch boards or plywood for DIY production

To make your own, take:

• Slats for installation or birch plywood thickness, which is from 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.
• Tools.

Manufacturing process:

1. First of all, create a drawing of the lamella.
2. Cut out the required number of slats according to this drawing.
3. Attaching to the bed frame.

In order to avoid unnecessary work on processing the plywood sheet, it is worth purchasing a smooth building material that consists only of wood and has no other impurities.

The modern furniture market and the rhythm of people’s lives dictate their conditions. During sleep, rest should be as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. That is why preference is given to beds with orthopedic equipment. As is clear from our article, making them yourself is quite simple and at the same time saving a large amount of money from the family budget.

How to repair a lifting mechanism with your own hands

Sometimes the bed lifting mechanism, which is responsible for transforming the structure, breaks along with the slats. The following signs indicate a breakdown:

• spontaneous lowering of the orthopedic base;
• jamming of the mechanism when lifting or lowering the structure;
• creaking and other extraneous sounds that occur during operation.

If one of the listed symptoms appears, it is necessary to disassemble the lifting mechanism. To do this, the mattress is removed from the bed, after which its base is unscrewed. Then the fasteners are unscrewed, with the help of which the mechanism is screwed to the structure. It is difficult to repair such a product yourself and therefore it is better to take it to a specialist who professionally repairs furniture.

How to insert or remove plates?

To do this, the tip must be put on a separate bar and inserted into a special socket on the frame. During this process, you should try to bend the plates slightly.

Each lamella can be independently replaced; there is nothing complicated about the fastening features.

To remove it, you need to pull the fastener out of the socket and move the end of the latoflex to the side.

A variant of the base with lamellas, which are attached by metal lamellas.

How to replace bed slats?

If the orthopedic slats break during operation, the problem can be eliminated in three ways:

1. If the holder system is movable, then the slats can be moved wider. In this case, it is advisable to sort out the slats - move the head and foot ones to the center, and install the central ones at the edges. It will not be possible to carry out this manipulation endlessly - after all, the number of slats is limited, and the functionality of the bed suffers.
2. If the lamellas are tightly attached, then you need to buy new ones of the same length and replace the broken ones. As a last resort, you can cut a piece of plywood of the same size, bend it a little, place it under the press, and replace the lamella.
3. If most of the slats have failed, you can replace the base with a solid one - use plywood, slats, boards, chipboard. It is worth drilling holes in the material for ventilation. Such a base will have no orthopedic effect.

How to change the distance between the slats?

Manufacturers offer to choose the material, thickness, width of the latoflexes or the distance between them - even at the stage of purchasing the bed. You can make a similar choice in the Matrason online store.

If you already have a bed installed, and the number of slats does not correspond to the mattress, you can always buy additional slats and fasteners for them in order to strengthen (make) the slats or replace a broken part. When replacing, pay attention to the type of fastening of the slats, since the lath holders can be overhead, mortise, shooting, or through.

Adjusting the stiffness of the lamellas

Bases with adjustable lamella stiffness are gaining popularity. These have lamellas with special attachments in the zone of active load on the base - they allow you to adjust the rigidity of the latoflexes.

By moving or moving a pair of cursors along the bar, you can reduce or accordingly increase the rigidity of the support in this area.

An additional block with double or triple lamellas is also installed on the active zone. It allows you to increase rigidity in the lumbar area, improving the orthopedic properties of the mattress.

Slats are the most important part of the orthopedic bed base. They provide a springing effect, increasing the benefits of an anatomical mattress. High-quality flexible slats under the mattress are the basis for a sound and healthy sleep.

Advantages of lamellas

1. Elasticity (for a comfortable sleeping position). 2. The plates are light (they practically do not make sounds). 3. Increases the possibility of long-term use of the bed. 4. Spring effect. 5. Air circulation. 6. Proper support of the spine. 7. Low price. 8. Simple and uncomplicated repairs.

Slat base for an orthopedic double bed.