Is Box Spring/Foundation Necessary for Your Mattress?

When it comes to choosing the right kind of mattress, one of the most affordable options is the box spring mattress. Box spring mattresses have been around for decades, and are a popular, low-cost option if you’re looking for a sturdy mattress that stands the test of time.

Generally-speaking, foundation mattresses and box spring mattresses refer to the same thing: the lower part of a mattress and bed that sits on the wooden or metal frame of the bed, providing support to the mattress.

Why Use a Box Spring/Foundation Mattress?

Some of peple might be confuse that is box spring necessary or not when they firstly purcase mattress, actually box springs have three major purposes. They raise the height of the mattress, making it easier for you to get in and out of bed. They also help reduce wear and tear to the mattress, since it’s not rubbing against the frame of the bed and creating tears or holes.

Oftentimes, box spring and mattress are sold together as a set. If you were to cut open a box spring, you’d find several tightly-wound springs or coils inside. These are designed to not only provide a flat surface for the mattress to lay on, but also help provide an extra layer of support. These days, with the advent of memory foam mattresses, many mattress support systems are made out of wood. They can also be covered with fabric that folds and makes it easier to transport.

The Four Unique Features of a Box Spring/Foundation Mattress

Every box spring mattress has four different features, each one serving its own unique purpose.

The flex of the mattress is the first property. Box spring mattresses with actual springs have some degree of flexibility, but you’ll also see “limited flex” or “semi flex” foundation mattresses that are made with a wire grid foundation. The degree of flex in your foundation mattress is the amount of shock it can absorb. More forceful shocks can bend the springs or wires. Foam mattresses don’t suffer from this kind of problem since they’ll simply revert back to their previous state if jolted.

The performance of the mattress is the second point. In recent years, more mattresses have been designed to be used as a standalone mattress without the need for a box spring. Very thick foam mattresses (around 6-8 inches) would not feel any effect from the increased flexibility of the box springs. A mattress with a high grade performance box spring is often known as an “active” box spring. This type of formation helps deliver an overall better posture alignment and better pressure relief.

Firm and even support is the third benefit, since you don’t want your mattress to sag in the middle if it’s being used as a standalone feature directly on the floor. This can be one area where foam mattresses aren’t the best choice, since they will readily sink into any gaps or drops. Elastic foam mattress types are more prone to this than polyfoam, since polyfoam offers a stiffer and sturdier feel.

Ventilation and height are the last noted benefits. Having a solid surface under the mattress allows it to “breathe”. Mattresses which come in direct contact with the floor have a greater propensity to attract dust and dirt. Without proper ventilation, other health hazards like mold and mildew might also develop. Height of the mattress and boxspring together is generally a matter of personal comfort. It’s simply much easier to get out of bed from a sitting position and puts less stress on your back and knees.

High Profile or Low Profile Box Spring?

One thing that mattress manufacturers want to avoid is having their mattress sit too high on the bed. To help combat this problem, they have started to make box springs in different heights. If you’re shopping for a box spring mattress, you may see the terms “high profile” and “low profile”. High profile box springs are around nine inches in height while low profile box springs are around 5-5 ½ inches in height.

Making changes to the thickness of the box spring and mattress also means that the coils cannot be as stiff (since they don’t have as much room to move with lower profiles, or may have too much room in the case of higher profiles). Therefore, the coils have to be adjusted manually. To help make it easier for consumers to understand and purchase the right mattress accordingly, these types of mattresses and box springs are usually sold as a set.

Do You Need to Buy a Foundation with Your Mattress?

Although mattresses and box springs are generally sold together, you don’t necessarily have to have a foundation. Many people place their mattress directly on the wooden or metal frame, but depending on the height of the mattress, it may take some time to get used to getting up from a lower starting position. In some cases, the mattress warranty will be voided without an accompanying box spring.

What’s It Like Sleeping on a Box Spring Mattress?

Although they’re very popular in the United States and Western Europe, the rest of the world doesn’t typically sleep on box spring mattresses. For example, in Japan, it’s much more typical to sleep on a futon mattress closer to the floor. Other countries have their own specialties that are better suited for their climates.

With that being said, depending on the type of foundation and mattress combination you choose, you may experience a very deep and relaxing sleep. The important point to keep in mind is that you buy a foundation that is designed to support your mattress. So if you opt for a softer mattress, your box spring should therefore be sturdier in terms of having more coils and offering more support, since you don’t want the center of your mattress to sag or dip down.

Conversely, if you have a harder mattress, your box spring should be a bit softer to provide enough support, but not make it feel like you’re sleeping on concrete. With new innovations in latex mattresses and memory foam mattresses, there has been less emphasis on box springs or foundation mattresses. But if you suffer from back problems, arthritis, or neck soreness, it may be worth investing in a foundation mattress to give you some extra support and cushioning of pressure points as you sleep.