The Weight of a Waterbed

Hard Frames

• For each foot of width, a hard frame water bed contains about 300 lbs. of water. A queen size hard frame bed weighs about 1,500 lbs., but the weight is evenly distributed across several square feet. Water beds do not stress the floor of a home any more than a bathtub full of water.

Hard Frame Kits

• Gather all of your materials and supplies before assembling a water bed. Hard frames require a pedestal base, brackets and screws, plywood decking and an outer frame with brackets and screws. Some frames include a flat or bookcase headboard, and all bed kits include a heating pad with thermostat and bracket, a waterproof mattress liner, the mattress itself and padded frame rails. You will need to purchase a fill kit with a faucet adapter, water bed conditioner liquid and a hose for installation.

Soft Frames

• Per foot of width, soft frame or soft-side water beds contain about 150 lbs. of water -- half that of a hard frame bed. Soft-side frames are smaller than hard frames and contain multiple, smaller mattress bladders, plus a foam frame and a soft mattress cover. The overall weight of a soft-side queen water bed is about 750 lbs.

Soft Frame Kits

• Soft frame water beds include a metal frame, solid wood foundation and a mattress kit. The mattress kit includes a fabric cover with a hard foam frame that must be assembled by hand, heating pads, a waterproof liner and several mattress bladders. Once set up, a soft-side water bed looks just like a regular bed and is compatible with regular bedding rather than water bed bedding. You will need a bathtub or hose and fill kit as well as a water bed mattress conditioner for assembly.