How to Attach Plywood to a Slat Bed Frame

A slat bed is constructed of head and foot boards, two rails and wood slats. You must lay slats across the entire width of a slat bed for the mattress to rest upon. The bed's slats may break, sag or slip through the bedrails due to normal wear and tear. You can either replace defective slats with a cut-to-fit plywood sheet or use the wood to create new slats. The best type of plywood to use for slat beds is at least one-inch thick. It may be constructed of any wood from pine to oak.

Plywood (cut or full sheet)
Drill
1/8-inch drill bit
1¾-inch wood screws
Phillips driving bit

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the one-inch plywood cut-to-fit sheet or slats inside the bed rails so that they span the entire width of the bed.
- 2
  Ensure that the edges of the slats sit at least ¾ of an inch on either side to prevent them from slipping through.
- 3
  Drill 1/8-inch diameter pilot holes that are either spaced every 12 inches apart for sheets of plywood or go through the center of each slat, at the location where the plywood rests on top of the bed rail. Pair each pilot hole with a second hole at the opposite bedrail ledge.
- 4
  Slip the tapered ends of 1¾-inch wood screws into each tapered hole. Thread the screws into the holes using a screwdriver or a screw gun fitted with a phillips drive bit. Flush the screw heads with the top surface of the plywood to prevent them from snagging and damaging the mattress. Make each screw penetrate the one-inch plywood sheet or slats and into the bed rail ledge board to ensure a proper hold.

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