I'm about 280 lbs and need a new bed base. Should I go with more narrow slats (like 2 inches wide, close together) or fewer wide ones (4-5 inches, spaced out)? I keep hearing conflicting things about support and airflow. Any real-world experience?
Bed Base
Is it better to have more narrow slats or fewer wide ones
More narrow slats. Done. Next question.
Ha. But seriously, I switched from wide slats to narrow ones and my mattress quit sagging. I'm 300+ and it made a difference.
What kind of mattress though? If it's memory foam you need closer slats or it'll squish through the gaps. Innerspring is more forgiving.
It's a hybrid. Coils with foam on top. So I'm worried about the foam part dipping between slats.
Then definitely narrow. Wide slats are basically a trap for heavy folks.
Also check the slat thickness. I had narrow slats that were too thin and they bowed. Ended up adding a center rail.
Fewer wide ones = more airflow? Sure, if you like your mattress sagging like a hammock. Go narrow.
Airflow matters for foam to not get moldy. But you can have narrow slats with gaps. Just don't put them edge to edge. Most prefab bases are fine.
I built my ownn base with 1x3 slats spaced 2 inches apart. I'm 250 and it's rock solid. Overkill? Maybe. But I sleep good.
GlueSniffer that's actually helpful. Did you use a center support?
Yep, one down the middle. I weigh enough that I didn't want to risk it.
The real question is slat width vs thickness. A 2-inch wide slat that's 1 inch thick is stronger than a 4-inch wide one that's half inch. So don't just count slats.
Exactly. I'd take fewer thick slats over more flimsy ones.
Or just sleep on the floor. Infinite slats. Zero gaps.
Floor is the ultimate heavy sleeper hack. But your back might disagree.