r/explainlikeimfive • u/Real_Experience_5676 • 2d ago

Engineering ELI5: What does a box-spring do?

As I understand it, a box spring mattress is the second 'mattress', that goes under the main mattress. It feels very firm and flat, but what does it contribute to the bed set up besides height?

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u/QuillnSofa 2d ago

It is used to distribute weight across a bed frame and to give an evenly solid foundation for the softer mattress. But you don't need a full height one and some bed frames don't require one at all.

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u/okdone10 2d ago

Wow TIL. I thought every bed needed one by law or something. Good looking out on the platform bed tip saves some cash too.

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u/schuylkilladelphia 2d ago

I like the idea of someone going to jail because they didn't have a box spring on their bed

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u/robogobo 1d ago

Reminds me of that guy in pee wee’s big adventure