The most important thing in a bed is its base, which carries the weight of both the mattress and the lying person. Every bed has a base for the mattress, and it is this that serves as an intermediary between the body and the mattress. It can be flat or slatted, have orthopedic properties, lifting or transformation mechanism.
Design
The base is a metal or wood frame filled with slats or solid plywood sheets inside. No bed can be imagined without a base with a bottom on which the mattress is placed. The slatted base has practically supplanted flat plywood. It is often called orthopedic due to the fact that it supposedly enhances the useful properties of the mattress: it evenly distributes the load on the spine and maintains it in the anatomically correct position during sleep and rest.
The orthopedic base has a frame and lamellas - small wooden slats located horizontally at a distance from each other. Mostly lamellas are made of wood - solid birch or beech. Lamellas can be straight or slightly curved, the latter in the frame have the right to be called "orthopedic base".
Curved lamellas provide a shock-absorbing effect, that is, on them the mattress literally springs under the weight of the person lying on it, retains its orthopedic properties and quality indicators. In fact, it is a mattress support.
Features of the
The base is an indispensable element of any bed, and if we talk about its orthopedic form with curved slats, then it has a number of advantages:
- Evenly distributes a person's weight on the bed frame and mattress.
- Strengthens the orthopedic properties of the mattress: evenly distributes the load on the spine, reducing it.
- Has a cushioning effect or slightly springs during active use of the bed, which reduces the load on both the bed frame and the mattress.
- Depending on the type and number of lamellas can carry loads from 90 to 240 kg for one berth.
- Allows the mattress to "breathe" due to the non-continuous arrangement of the rails. Air circulates freely inside the mattress and the bed box, it does not accumulate moisture and evaporation, which can significantly harm the mattress on a solid surface.
- The foundation protects the bed frame from excessive stresstaking the weight on yourself.
- She is protects the mattress from premature wear and damage.
- The metal base is more durable in structure and often Has mattress locks, which do not allow that "run away" from its place and lose shape over time.
Among the disadvantages of an orthopedic base, one can note the complexity of its choice. There are too many models on the market with wide or narrow, long or short sipes, which literally baffles the inexperienced buyer. Manufacturers usually recommend a particular type of mattress for a specific base, and everyone, as one voice, says that there is nothing better than a bottom with narrow curved lamellas for any type of mattress (including those with independent springs).
The prosthetic base can be blind or have a lifting mechanism.
The latter device raises the bed above the bed frame and opens access to the storage box under the bed.
The classic straight slatted bed base is in second place in popularity. Such a frame allows the mattress to "breathe" due to the gaps between the plates, but in terms of orthopedic parameters it is well inferior to bent lamellas.
A flat base is a relic of the past. It does not allow the mattress to breathe, does not provide a truly comfortable rest, and it quickly loses its presentation - bends, breaks, begins to creak.
The main advantage of a flat base is that it is cheap and easy to manufacture, and that's it.
Materials (edit)
The base of the bed can be made of metal or wood. Modern models are produced with a metal frame - it is more durable in its design and allows you to securely fix the rails, easily replace them in case of breakdown and fix the lifting mechanism.
Bases with a wooden frame require a more careful attitude towards themselves, it is difficult to replace lamellas in it (due to the fact that they are often mortise).
Dimensions (edit)
Standard mattress sizes:
- Double: 140 x 200, 160 x 200, 180 x 200, 200 x 200 cm;
- One-bed: 90 x 190, 90 x 200, 100 x 200 cm.
The bases are determined by the same size range, but they, as a rule, are 3-4 cm larger than the actual dimensions of the mattress, so that it is easy to put it on the bed. Mattresses are divided not only by the type of filling, but also by their height. The higher the mattress, the more comfortable it is to lie on it. The optimal height of an orthopedic mattress starts from 10 cm, if the product is thinner, then it automatically loses its orthopedic "status". The height of springless mattresses is usually 16-20 cm, spring mattresses - 18-30 centimeters. This is because the springs take up more space inside the product and define a deeper seat.
It is better to avoid non-standard base sizes: it is difficult to find a full-fledged mattress for them, and such a bed can cost more than a standard one.
Views
The base of the bed is divided into:
- Flat;
- Rack.
The base on the lamellas is called orthopedic if it is assembled from curved lamellas with a shock absorption effect, straight lamellas do not give that orthopedic effect (they do not remove the load from the spine), but allow the mattress to "breathe" and retain its properties to the maximum.
The base can be equipped with a lifting mechanism that raises the bottom of the bed and allows access to the inner drawers.
Models with a lifting mechanism and an orthopedic base are one of the most popular beds on the market: under the bottom there is an entire dressing room with an area of almost two cubic meters.
The base can be with legs (Euro frame) or not. Euroframe can serve independently and does not require the purchase of a case or back. The base without legs is usually sold with the bed frame and literally "lies" on top of it, forming a complete structure. Frame soft beds mainly come complete with an orthopedic base and bent slats (13-15 pieces for each berth).
According to the transformation mechanism, the base is:
- No transformation;
- With manual mechanism;
- Electrically operated.
Classic models without transformation are the most common and have a low / medium price category. For transformable bases, a special mechanism is used - manual or electric, which raises and lowers the back, the foot.
Components
The lamella is an indispensable element of the orthopedic base, which carries a load of up to 7-15 kg (in total - up to 240 kg per one berth). They are attached to the bed frame with lat holders, which can be built-in or removable (plastic and rubber).
Spare parts that may be required when installing the bed frame - lifting mechanism, lat holders, all kinds of screws. The grille is usually installed on the body of the bed with self-tapping screws or attached to a lifting mechanism (with gas lifts, springs or a manual lift). In addition to the bed frame and its base, a backrest is attached. If the bed does not have a body and is solely a base with legs, then the backrest attachment is determined individually.
Top manufacturers
Ormatek manufactures orthopedic inlays with and without legs for single and double beds, with and without lifting mechanism. The brand's assortment includes classic non-orthopedic bottoms with plywood instead of lamellas: such a base simultaneously serves as a bed frame and often has legs.
Quite good foundations are made by Russian manufacturers like Amelie (Yartsevo), Glazovskaya MF, Mebelny Dvor, Askona, Izhmebel, Oxmebel and other manufacturers
How to choose?
The choice of the bed base is a primary task and more important than the choice of its body. It is the base that ensures high-quality and healthy sleep, takes on all the load and increases the life of the bed.
To make a decent choice, follow a simple algorithm:
- Bottom. Prefer slatted slatted bottom instead of solid plywood. Firstly, the slats do not allow the mattress to sag, and secondly, they allow it to breathe.
- Lamels. Choose curved panels - they are lightly cushioned and evenly distribute the weight on the mattress. A small number of lamellas and a large distance between them allows you to use only a springless mattress or Bonnel type. Modern mattresses with an independent spring block require closely spaced narrow slats to provide the springs with reliable support. Closely spaced lamellas are especially important for mattresses with a large number of springs and smaller in diameter.
- Frame. In 100% of cases, choose metal. It is both stronger and will last longer. The wooden frame requires a more reverent attitude towards itself.
- Type of lamella fastening. Fasteners are called lat-holders. They can be mortise or overhead. It is better to choose overhead rubber lat holders, which allow you to replace one or more lamellas when they break and have a slight springy effect. However, if the mattress is more than 20 cm high, then there is no need to talk about the amortization properties of the holders.
- Sleeping area. Two berths in a bed with a width of 140 cm are united by a metal frame of the base. And for each place there should be its own narrow base with bent (or straight) slats. This will allow the base to fulfill its orthopedic function and support more weight (of a person and a mattress).
- The level of comfort and the possibility of transformation. The transforming orthopedic bases allow the grid to accommodate the curves of your body. For example, you can raise the headboard or footboard, adjust the backrest tilt and create a bottom position that is most comfortable for placement. Mechanical drive models are more affordable, but harder to set up. Electric transformation blades are more expensive, but they are easy to operate and literally give you a comfortable position.
- Additional features. There are foundations with the ability to adjust the stiffness of the lamellas. The battens in such models are interconnected with special clamps that can be relaxed and pulled. Stiffness adjustable bases are especially suitable for people with a sore back or problematic spine.
An ideal choice is an orthopedic base with 4-6 cm thick curved lamellas and a metal frame. The lamella material is birch or beech. The latter is used in more expensive structures and is practically not inferior to birch plates.
How to choose the right base for the bed, see the next video.
How to fix?
The base fits onto the bed frame and is attached to the side of the headboard. If it is intended to install a lifting mechanism, then the grille frame is attached to this mechanism at the same headboard or on the side (depending on the opening method). After that, it is necessary to place the mattress on the bed, making sure that it fits exactly in size and does not create free space on the sides and at the foot / headboard.