How Often Should You Replace A Box Spring? (Answered)
Anyone who is familiar with beds will tell you that box springs used to be a popular purchase for providing underlying support and protection for a mattress while raising the overall height of your bed from the floor. But, it’s not something that lasts forever and will eventually need to be replaced, especially as the springs wear out. So, how often should you replace a box spring?
The thing is, no one really knows how often a box spring needs to be replaced. A typical box spring should last for 10 years. However, this will depend on how old your bed is, how often you use your bed, and how much you weigh. For the most part, if you weigh over 225 pounds, you will probably want to replace your box spring more frequently. The more weight you put on the box spring, the faster it will wear out.
Moreover, if you are sleeping on a fairly old mattress, you should ensure that the box spring is in good condition to avoid creating an uneven foundation for your bed.
As long as you are not jumping on the bed frequently or sharing it with too many people, there’s a strong possibility that a box spring will only need to be replaced well over a decade, if not more.
Table of Contents
What Is A Box Spring Designed For?
A box spring is a platform that comes directly below the mattress and sits on the foundation of your bed.
It is made from firm plywood, steel, or any other material that can support the weight of the mattress above it. The main purpose of a box spring is to support a mattress, but it may also provide extra height if needed.
A box spring is only necessary for people who prefer the more common bed setups. If you explore Asian and Eastern homes, you’ll find that a lot of people prefer to place a mattress directly onto the floor.
What Causes A Box Spring To Wear Out?
As a product ages, it becomes less effective and more susceptible to damage.
Every time you set your mattress down on the box spring, you put weight on it. This can definitely take its toll over the years.
Additionally, the box spring bears the brunt of each person that lays on top of your bed, especially if you share your bed with someone else. As such, if the box spring isn’t properly supported, it can shift and sit at an angle.
This can cause the foundation of your bed to bend more than it should and create stress on the lower parts of your mattress, causing it to sag and fail.
How To Tell When It Needs To Be Replaced
You can tell by looking at your box spring and seeing how saggy or uneven it is. If a box spring is sagging or uneven, that means too much stress is placed on the bed. Since a box spring is designed to support your mattress, it should lift it uniformly.
You can also tell you need a new box spring when you feel or hear the bed shift or squeak.
Another indicator is when the wood starts to crack, especially on the bottom of your bed. Some box springs are made with wood, and as they age, this will happen more frequently.
Most importantly, once your mattress has worn out, it becomes especially important to replace the box spring and mattress altogether. Since a box spring is usually included with the purchase of a mattress, you will most likely be purchasing it at the same time.
This will put you on the warranty period for your mattress, so you can return it easily if there is a problem with the box spring.
However, if you got your box spring and mattress separately, then you may not be viable for the warranty unless you call the manufacturers directly.
If so, the box spring brand may offer you the option of getting a warranty in the form of protection against warping and sagging.
This way, you don’t have to worry about getting a new box spring yourself.
What To Look For In A Good Box Spring?
Whether you have a box spring included with the mattress or if you got it separately, it is important to know what you are looking for in a box spring.
There are many types of box springs; some come with the mattress, while others can be sold separately.
One thing that may be important to consider when buying a new box spring is how stable it is.
Some boxes are known as “torsion” or “twist” springs and tend to wobble more than others. These box springs are known to fail faster than the other types.
On the other hand, a “coil” box is more stable than a torsion one.
Moreover, if you get a box spring with coils and no torsion springs, then you have an even sturdier framework for your bed.
Coils are also known as steel-in-coil box springs and tend to be very strong and durable. They are also firm and supportive and are not prone to sagging and shifting under normal use.
Keep these factors in mind when deciding on which type of box spring to purchase for your mattress and bedroom.
Final Thoughts
As much as there are other alternatives to box springs, I’ve really not had any issues with them for as long as I can remember.
They last for a long time, especially if you are relatively light in weight.
In fact, what I’ve noticed is that a mattress may need to be replaced before certain box springs. That should say a lot to you about the sturdiness and longevity of a box spring.
With that being said, I hope you found this article on how often to replace a box spring to be helpful and informative. If so, I highly recommend you check out some of these articles below for more information on box springs and beds:
1. Box spring alternatives: The best options for your bedroom
