Can I Put A Memory Foam Mattress On A Sheet of Plywood?

After buying a memory foam mattress, the next question that arises to mind is its proper foundation. What should be the support base that sits underneath a memory foam mattress made up of?

To be precise, whether you are using a memory foam or a latex mattress, all require a solid, undeviating foundation to work suitably. You can choose from Box springs such as wood and steel springs or Foundations like wooden slats, a Bunkie board, or even the floor.

If we talk specifically about memory foam, we should always go for a solid base in place of a box spring, like Closely laid wooden slats, flat plywood surface, a metal base, a bunkie board. 

Can I put a memory foam mattress on a sheet of plywood?

Memory Mattresses are designed for use on a platform bed (a low sit foundation that uses solid wood, plywood, or particleboard).

There are three distinct types of platform beds construction, but it varies in style. The first two construction styles are a solid flat surface like plywood, and other is wooden slats, and the third is metal frame base. 

Using a sheet of plywood as a mattress foundation is a cost-effective solution. It acts as a sturdy base for your memory foam mattress. Plywood ideally provides reliable support for the entire mattress.

Moreover, it is also recommended to put plywood on top of any mattress foundation, especially if it has big slats/gaps to evade sagging.

The manufacturer states that some memory foam mattresses should not be used on top of box springs just like that ( it means there should be something in between the box spring and mattress). Instead, they insist on putting plywood on top of the box springs.

Now comes the crucial part. At the same time, we are selecting plywood support for a memory foam mattress, the most important thing to choose the right type of plywood. Our guide here can help you a lot.

Firstly, select a minimum of ¾” thickness of regular AB or BC softwood plywood. For proper stiffness.

Some may argue that thinner plywood (particleboard) is strong enough to support the weight of the mattress and is comfortable to the sleepers then; why we need a thick base instead.

This is to maximize stiffness that will prevent back pain and can withstand heavier weight. Even an OSB should work fine. 

Secondly, the plywood to be used below memory foam should have a smooth surface finish. The corner edges should be rounded (1-inch radius) in order to prevent snagging and damaging the mattress cover.

The Sandpapered surface of the plywood should be sealed with paint and varnish to prevent cracks.

Now a day an upholstery fabric is used to cover the plywood. With the help of a spray adhesive, it is batted to the surface of the plywood, stretched onto the backside and wrapped over the edges. Its increases longevity.

Can you put a memory foam mattress on a slatted base?

As mentioned earlier, memory foam mattresses are pretty heavy compared to traditional mattresses. It means they require more support. There are different types of foundations that can be used for memory foam. One of them is a slatted base. 

A slatted base a type of foundation that can be used on a bed frame to create support. It sits at an excellent height off the floor, and it has a clean, modern look.

The technique is to place the wooden planks by spacing them evenly below the mattress. This ensures the mattress aligns the back correctly and the memory foam wears evenly.

The slats should be screwed or placed no more than 2-3 inches apart or less. Make sure that the slats are close together. Here is to noted that plywood could also be used over the slats to create that solid, uniform bottom if your mattress is big.

Further, slatted base foundations for memory allow mattresses to breathe. And maintain a good level of air circulation. This type of foundation is easy to assemble and available in Full, Twin, Queen and King.

Can you put a memory foam mattress on a metal bed frame?

A steel base is also an ideal base to go under the memory foam mattress. The harder the foundation, the better will be the performance of the memory foam mattress. Currently, one will find both metal steel frames or a combination of steel frames plus wooden slats.

The metal frame base provides much-needed congruous support. However, the metal frame offers better support, but not always.

The thickness of the metal frame and the bars/wires that support the mattress body decides the weight the foundation has to support. If the bars of the structure are thin and sharp, they may cut the mattress. 

A typical metal platform is a foldable bed frame. Adjustable metal frame construction enables the user to adjust the angles of the bed parts such as the head, the foot and or sleeping angles.

The adjustments can be made both manually and wirelessly (remote-controlled feature). A memory foam mattress responds well to angle changes.

Again, some adjustable metal frames are foldable: it can easily fold and unfolds in seconds. Thus it is primarily used in guest beds in modern and small households to maximize space availability.

This collapsible feature makes it easily storable, lightweight, and mobile. Again it can work well for a memory foam mattress with long-term use.

Can you put a memory foam mattress on a box spring?

Generally speaking, a traditional type of box spring base is not suitable for using memory foam. Instead, they are apt to be used for innerspring mattresses.

Box springs are constructed with a combination of wood and steel springs secured within the frame. The springs act as shock absorbers that mean they are designed to absorb the pressure of the traditional mattress over it.

The memory foam bedding itself provides the right amount of comfort and support, so it’s not necessary to add anything so solid like a box spring underneath. This foundation is not for memory foam. If placed on a box spring, it can flex under it.

Also, the bed will dip between the slats and coils of the box spring, causing the foam to wear before time and lose support. Thus, one is unlikely to reap the benefits of memory foam mattresses in such circumstances. 

What is the best base for a memory foam mattress?

The memory foam material is breathable as they have open cells. But if the moisture gets into the memory foam mattress by any chance, you will be experiencing a lot of sagging.

Thus, to avoid such scenarios, you should have a similar breathable, supportive base that has the ability to evaporate the accumulated moisture from the bottom of the mattresses. 

So from the above discussion on various types of Mattress Foundation for a Memory Foam Mattress, we can recommend the following 

• Wooden Slatted bases.
• Metal frame foundations- foldable or adjustable.
• Solid platform bases – like plywood, particleboard, or OSB.

All the above memory foam mattress foundations are coming in Anti-Slide Designs.

Final words:

 A memory foam bedding works superbly on a non-giving surface. That means instead of absorbing pressure; it supports it. You are seriously left with options like wooden or metal-frame foundations.

These bases support your mattress without absorbing its compression. One important fact that shouldn’t be neglected is that you should not lay the bed on the floor to devoid your warranty.

Another reason for getting a proper foundation for your bedding is that it will save your memory foam mattress from getting dirty fairly rapidly if laid just on the floor.

A base under the mattress gives protection from dust mites from occasional insect and spider attacks. Apart from all that, it’s easier to get onto and out of your mattress if you are above floor level.