No one wants to lay in bed only to have it collapse underneath you while you’re trying to get some shut-eye. Knowing what to look for can help prevent this situation from ever happening.
Learn all the ways that can cause your bed frame to collapse so you can keep yourself and your family safe for years to come.
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Can a Bed Frame Collapse?
Yes, a bedframe can collapse if it is put together improperly, has aged, or is used inappropriately.
Usually, bed frames can last several years without needing to be replaced or managed. Metal frames have a longer shelf-life than wooden frames due to the material used.
To keep your bed in pristine condition, check on its condition every 6 months to a year to identify any weak spots that would cause your bed frame to collapse.
Ways A Bed Frame Can Collapse
Your bed is susceptible to several reasons why it would collapse.
Checking for these possibilities frequently and taking action to improve their state will help your bed frame last for years.
Here are all the ways a bed frame can collapse:
Not Resting the Bed Next to a Wall
When you build your bed for the first time and are wondering where in the room it should go, try not to leave it by itself.
You want your bed to have some support so that when you get in and out of your bed it isn’t taking the full brunt of your weight.
Shifting the bed constantly can cause metal bed frames to bend or break at the legs or wooden bed frames to snap where there are weak points in the wood.
Putting your bed against the wall, every time you get in will have the support of your walls holding the bed in place. Keeping it from constantly shifting without the support.
Using the Wrong Size Frame
If you buy a bed frame that is too small for the mattress, it can cause the bed to collapse, and you’ll be left sleeping on the floor.
The perfect-sized bed frame will fit your mattress perfectly without it sticking out the sides or ends.
If you notice that your mattress is resting on top of the bed frame instead of fitting inside the side panels, you’ll want to purchase a bigger size before it’s too late.
Buying a bigger frame won’t cause the same problems, so it’s better to oversize than undersize when getting your next bed frame.
Putting Too Much Weight on Your Frame
Before buying a bed frame, you should know the frame’s manufacturer’s instructions on how much weight it can hold.
In some cases, the weight limit is quite low, so bed frames can collapse under the weight of just one person, even if a proper bed frame supports the bed.
If you buy a bed frame made by a company that recommends a weight limit for its frames, make sure to follow their instructions.
Don’t forget to include the following when estimating your weight:
- Boxspring
- Mattress
- Pillows
- Sheets
- Blankets
- People sleeping
If you calculate the wrong weight, you could be risking a collapse.
Slats are broken.
The slats help to keep your mattress and box springs from sagging. If the slats are broken or missing, it can cause your mattress to start sagging inward.
When you see a sagging mattress in the middle, you can assume you have a slat issue, and if you want to prevent your bed frame from breaking, take a look as soon as possible.
The slats run parallel to each other and keep the box spring and mattress supported, so you get a comfortable sleep.
If the slats are bad, replace them as soon as possible to prevent your bed frame from collapsing.
Uneven Weight on Your Bed
Putting uneven weight on your mattress can cause a bed frame to break. This is because only one side of your bed frame is holding all of the weight.
If the weight is constantly being put on one side of the frame, it will compromise the structure’s integrity.
It might not collapse the frame immediately, but it can lead to weakened parts of your frame being susceptible to breaking.
Keep your children from jumping on the bed in the same place or putting a lot of clothes and other stuff on only one side of the bed.
Using a Wooden Frame Over a Metal Frame
Using a wooden frame puts you more at risk for your bed frame breaking in two than using a metal bed frame.
It runs the risk of getting hairline fractures that you might not see at first but will continue to split and break your frame in the long term.
To be safe, use a metal frame if possible because they generally stay standing much longer than wooden frames, especially if you plan on moving a lot.
Storing a Bed Frame Improperly
Bed frames are designed to be lightweight and easy to move, but you don’t want to run into the habit of keeping your bed frames in the wrong places.
Storing a bed frame improperly can cause harm to the bed frame and the bed itself.
Avoid storing a bed frame in the attic or basement, as extreme temperatures in these areas can cause the bedframe to warp or decay.
The same can be said for storing your bed frame inside a storage unit without regulated temperature control.
Also, you should store a bed frame on the floor instead of against a wall. The gravity from keeping your bed vertical can cause natural sagging over a period of time.
You should put a lot of weight on top of your bed frame either, as this will cause your bed frame to become compromised.
Assembling a Frame Improperly
There are a couple of different ways your frame could be improperly assembled.
The first is by the manufacturer themselves. Builders and manufacturers mistakenly assemble the frame incorrectly from time to time causing your frame to be cursed from the start.
Here are several ways your manufacturer could have compromised your frame:
- Wrong kind of wood
- Wrong glue
- Wrong fasteners in the frame
- Used the wrong wood thickness
The result is a weaker frame than it needs to be, which suddenly gets even weaker when you put it to use.
The other mistake is if you are assembling the frame yourself. If any of the below happens to you, your frame could be on the verge of collapsing.
- Not following instructions
- Not having instructions
- Not tightening the screws enough
- Overtightening the screws
- Not using all the pieces included
Age of the Bed Frame
After a period of time, all things get old and the same goes for your bed frame.
Keep the same frame for over 10 years and you could be compromising your safety for saving a few dollars.
Check your frame often to prevent issues but try and replace your frame every 7-10 years for a wooden frame and every 15 years for a metal frame.
Keep Your Bed Frame From Collapsing
Get comfortable with all the different ways your bed frame can collapse and you could avoid serious injury in the future. Of course, your bed frame isn’t going to last forever but if you take care of it, you won’t have to buy a new one for a decade.