New box spring necessary with a new mattress? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Rodney · 08-30-2004, 01:15 PM

It's time for a new mattress, as I'm beginning to wake up with a stiff back every morning. Double-checked by sleeping on the floor for a couple of nights, and the stiff back miraculously backed off.

Anyway, I'm not averse to saving some cash. So, in anyone's experience, is it actually necessary to buy new box springs with a new mattress, or can I get by with just a new mattress and the old box springs. The old mattress looks obviously worn at this point, but the box springs seem fine.

Any feedback here? I looked around on the web a bit, but most of the info I could get on the subject was from mattress dealers, who say that of _course_ you must have a new box spring.

maleficent · 08-30-2004, 01:26 PM

From BetterSleep.org
http://www.bettersleep.org/OnBetterS..._boxspring.asp

Quote:

A mattress and foundation are engineered to work together as a set, and the foundation takes a lot of the nightly wear and tear and contributes to the bed's overall comfort and support. Putting a new mattress on an old foundation, pairing it with a foundation it wasn't designed to work with or adding a board between the mattress and foundation will impede comfort and reduce the useful life of your new mattress. It may also affect the manufacturer's warranty coverage.

Rodney · 08-30-2004, 06:37 PM

Mal:

The Better Sleep Council is funded by the mattress industry, which some feel has a knack for obfuscation and dubious marketing that surpasses even that of computer manufacturers. I found a couple of fairly caustic articles about it, including this one:

http://www.slate.msn.com/id/93956/

For all I know, the Better Sleep people may be correct, but I'm also interested in real-world feedback from people who aren't funded by people who sell mattresses.

djtestudo · 08-30-2004, 06:41 PM

Sounds to me like you should just sleep on the floor.

maleficent · 08-30-2004, 06:51 PM

Every mattress I have ever bought I've bought with a box spring - they are generally sold as a set - -to not take the box spring it can't possibly be that big a difference in price.

Rodney · 08-30-2004, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djtestudo

Sounds to me like you should just sleep on the floor.

Yeah, but I can't get my wife down there with me :-). Seriously, I've been through this whole cycle before, and my current mattress, when new, solved a long-time back problem and gave me trouble-free sleep for many years. But it's getting old and isn't doing the job anymore.

Besides, it's drafty down there :-).

maleficent · 08-30-2004, 06:55 PM

When you do do your mattress searching - -don't get sucked into the Pillow Tops-- yes they're luxurious, and they're pretty and comfy and all that - but they are a bitch to find sheets for -- had to buy all new sheets to fit this stupid mattress and they don't make pretty - high count cotton sheets to fit an 18 inch deep mattress.

mr3355 · 08-15-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodney

Anyway, I'm not averse to saving some cash. So, in anyone's experience, is it actually necessary to buy new box springs with a new mattress, or can I get by with just a new mattress and the old box springs. The old mattress looks obviously worn at this point, but the box springs seem fine.

You might even want to consider other types of mattresses, bc there are so many out there right now.. latex, memory foam, etc.. this bed guide may help you if you don't know much about mattresses

jewels · 08-16-2008, 03:56 AM

Yes, unless it's on a platform. The box spring is the foundation for your bed. If your bed is worn and old, so's the box spring.

newtx · 08-16-2008, 11:51 AM

Glad to see this thread since its time for replacing mine. I was considering using my old box spring as well. I have to admit I have used a sheet of plywood between the mattress and box spring as well. The mattress pushers all say you need the high dollar units. I wonder if an inexpensive set might do the job considering mine are at least 15 years old.

Reese · 08-16-2008, 01:16 PM

I have a hard time believing the box-spring does anything except raise the bed, and supply a flat surface for the mattress to lay on. Hell, I don't even think my box-spring even has springs.. It's just a wooden frame with cloth covering it.. That may change when going into more expensive bedding.

I doubt you'll find much of a deal buying just the mattress though. They seem to be just as expensive without the box-spring as they are with them.

thingstodo · 08-17-2008, 06:26 AM

If you have back trouble look into a Temperpedic. Even if you don't have back trouble! Man, what a mattress. I've had one for over five years and it feels the same today as when it was new. Actually sits on a platform, not a box spring. I have trouble sleeping on some hotel beds unless it is a really good hotel.

Bear Cub · 08-17-2008, 06:41 AM

If you have a posture box, replace it no matter what. These are the box springs that have nothing more than a few cheap pine slats. If you had a semi flex grid, which is usually more wooden slats with a heavy wire frame over it, put a straight edge over it and check for a sag in the middle. If it doesn't have any sag, you can probably get away with it for a bit. Unless you had a top of the line mattress before, you probably don't have a grid, which uses even more slats and rectangular coils to absorb loads from the mattress.

08-30-2004, 01:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	New box spring necessary with a new mattress? It's time for a new mattress, as I'm beginning to wake up with a stiff back every morning. Double-checked by sleeping on the floor for a couple of nights, and the stiff back miraculously backed off. Anyway, I'm not averse to saving some cash. So, in anyone's experience, is it actually necessary to buy new box springs with a new mattress, or can I get by with just a new mattress and the old box springs. The old mattress looks obviously worn at this point, but the box springs seem fine. Any feedback here? I looked around on the web a bit, but most of the info I could get on the subject was from mattress dealers, who say that of _course_ you must have a new box spring.

08-30-2004, 06:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
djtestudo Baltimoron Location: Beeeeeautiful Bel Air, MD	Sounds to me like you should just sleep on the floor. __________________ "Final thought: I just rented Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine. Frankly, it was the worst sports movie I've ever seen." --Peter Schmuck, The (Baltimore) Sun

08-30-2004, 06:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Every mattress I have ever bought I've bought with a box spring - they are generally sold as a set - -to not take the box spring it can't possibly be that big a difference in price. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

08-30-2004, 06:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	When you do do your mattress searching - -don't get sucked into the Pillow Tops-- yes they're luxurious, and they're pretty and comfy and all that - but they are a bitch to find sheets for -- had to buy all new sheets to fit this stupid mattress and they don't make pretty - high count cotton sheets to fit an 18 inch deep mattress. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

08-16-2008, 03:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
jewels Eponymous Location: Central Central Florida	Yes, unless it's on a platform. The box spring is the foundation for your bed. If your bed is worn and old, so's the box spring. __________________ We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess. Mark Twain

08-30-2004, 06:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	Mal: The Better Sleep Council is funded by the mattress industry, which some feel has a knack for obfuscation and dubious marketing that surpasses even that of computer manufacturers. I found a couple of fairly caustic articles about it, including this one: http://www.slate.msn.com/id/93956/ For all I know, the Better Sleep people may be correct, but I'm also interested in real-world feedback from people who aren't funded by people who sell mattresses.

08-16-2008, 11:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
newtx Addict	Glad to see this thread since its time for replacing mine. I was considering using my old box spring as well. I have to admit I have used a sheet of plywood between the mattress and box spring as well. The mattress pushers all say you need the high dollar units. I wonder if an inexpensive set might do the job considering mine are at least 15 years old.

08-16-2008, 01:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
Reese Delicious	I have a hard time believing the box-spring does anything except raise the bed, and supply a flat surface for the mattress to lay on. Hell, I don't even think my box-spring even has springs.. It's just a wooden frame with cloth covering it.. That may change when going into more expensive bedding. I doubt you'll find much of a deal buying just the mattress though. They seem to be just as expensive without the box-spring as they are with them. __________________ “It is better to be rich and healthy than poor and sick” - Dave Barry

08-17-2008, 06:26 AM	#12 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	If you have back trouble look into a Temperpedic. Even if you don't have back trouble! Man, what a mattress. I've had one for over five years and it feels the same today as when it was new. Actually sits on a platform, not a box spring. I have trouble sleeping on some hotel beds unless it is a really good hotel. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

08-17-2008, 06:41 AM	#13 (permalink)
Bear Cub The Reverend Side Boob Location: Nofe Curolina	If you have a posture box, replace it no matter what. These are the box springs that have nothing more than a few cheap pine slats. If you had a semi flex grid, which is usually more wooden slats with a heavy wire frame over it, put a straight edge over it and check for a sag in the middle. If it doesn't have any sag, you can probably get away with it for a bit. Unless you had a top of the line mattress before, you probably don't have a grid, which uses even more slats and rectangular coils to absorb loads from the mattress. __________________ Living in the United Socialist States of America.