What Is a Mattress Foundation?

Function

• The main function of a mattress foundation is to fully support the mattress and absorb impact on the mattress. It helps to protect the mattress from unnecessary wear over its life.

Types

• The best mattress foundations are modular grids of square coils made with heavy-gauge metal, all in a wooden frame with supporting slats. Other types of mattress foundations are the all-wood posture box, the wood and metal semi-flex grid, high-density foam and a box spring.

Box Springs

• Traditional box springs consist of many coils that provide support within a wooden frame, but sometimes these coils are not rigid enough. This can cause a mattresses to sag sooner than it would on a more rigid foundation.

Warranty

• The warranty on a mattress can be invalidated if it is not used on the proper mattress foundation. When buying a new mattress, check the terms of the warranty for foundation requirements.

Size

• Mattress foundations come in all the traditional sizes of mattresses. However, most crib mattresses are sold without a foundation, as crib frames have an adequate support system.