Bed Slats - Prices, Installation, Models, Replacement

Bed slats are perhaps the most important accessory that any bed can come equipped with.  They are fundamental pieces of hardware which allow you to sleep on your bed comfortably through the night without risk of falling through onto the floor. They are flat pieces of wood which lie underneath the mattress and box spring, extending across your bed rails to create a support system for whatever is placed above it. These supports will add sturdiness and protection to your bed, allowing you to have a solid foundation to sleep on at night, effectively preventing your mattress from slipping through the rails and falling to the floor.

Yes. Despite the fact that all forms of slats will perform the same job for your bed, not all bed slats are the same in design. One of the main differences between them, other than the size of bed they’re custom made for, is the addition of a cloth connector between each of the slats. This is designed to prevent them from sliding around or becoming lost and separated. Simply put, these allow the slats to be draped across the bed frame when installing them, making for a quick and easy installation.

Additionally, some types of bed slats will simply lie between the bed rails, but others will require nailing into the bed rails, or screwing them in. It depends on the type of bed, as well as the slats, but these are the most common discrepancies in the models of slats.

Despite the amount of support and sturdiness these objects give off, they’re relatively cheap to purchase and even easier to install. A standard price for bed slats will depend highly on the model and wood used, but normally the most important factor that can weigh in on the price is for what size of bed the slats will be used for. A standard slat kit for a twin sized bed will normally fall between $30 and $60, whereas slats for an extra long twin bed will reach up to $90 on average. As you might have guessed, the amount of money for a set of slats for a queen or king sized bed will be higher than the aforementioned prices, often reaching into the $150 - $200 range. While it is likely you will pay at least $100 for a set of nice, queen sized slats, it is important to remember that it is possible to find them at a much cheaper priced after they have been used.

Although this isn’t a very common problem to experience with bed slats, it can definitely happen and should be fixed immediately. The best way to prevent this problem from happening is to nail or screw in your slats into the bed rails. Screwing them in is definitely the best recommended way to achieve this goal as it allows you to unscrew them and reposition them should you need to move your bed. This will allow you to only keep one single hole per screw and you won’t have to damage the slats with additional holes at a later date.

Bed slat installation is very simple, allowing almost anyone to be able to complete the task, regardless of lack of handyman experience. You simply place the slats at an event distance along the bed rails and place your box spring on top of them, and then the mattress right after. This will keep your bed from falling through and sagging down while you sleep.

If the kit comes with screws, then you will need a drill to drive the screws in deep enough to hold the slats in place.

If you’d like to purchase a replacement set of bed slats for your bed frame, there are a few ways for this to happen. The most simple and obvious is to simply go to a bed store, or perhaps a home depot, and purchase a set of slats for your size of bed. It will be most helpful if you measure out your bed yourself beforehand, allowing you to pin point exactly what size and length of slats you will need.

Another simple way to get this done is to contact the manufacturer of your first original set of slats and request a new set immediately. They will already have the information about your bed ready and can send you another perfectly fitting set of slats for you at a standard price.

In addition to the aforementioned methods, it is possible for you to measure the space needed for the slats, or perhaps just measure the first set of slats before throwing them out, and requesting these types of lumber cuts at a Lowe’s or a Home Depot. They have inexpensive materials to make slats from and you can order them quick and cheap and take them home for installation immediately. If you privately discuss your situation with some of the workers at the stores listed above, it is very possible that they’ll make the proper cuts for you for free, or at a very cheap, discounted price.

When it comes down to it, bed slats are a very necessary item to include in your bedding arrangement. They allow you to sleep comfortably at night and not have to worry about your bed falling through the rails and onto the floor, potentially injuring you in the process. They are a very cheap item and despite the inexpensive amount of money you’ll pay for them, they last for many years on end without damaging themselves or requiring repair work. In the unlikely event that they do become damaged or need to be replaced, purchasing a new set of bed slats is a painless and cost effective experience.

Do yourself a favor and improve your bedding situation with a nice set of bed slats.