Bunky beds are sometimes tricky to keep in good shape. If you do not take care, the mattress can sink in the middle and lose its integrity and shape. This can render the bed very uncomfortable to sleep on not to mention that it will be unhealthy for your back. How do you avoid such occurrences; you may ask. You can make your bed more comfortable by using a bunky board. So what is a bunky board and how will it help you in your bunky bed? Read on to find out.
A bunky board at the very basic is a foundation for a bunk bed. It functions the same way a box spring does in a tradition bed but for the fact that it is much thinner. A typical bunky board is a frame made from wooden battens which are approximately 3/4 by 11/2 inches in size and together with extra cross members. The top of the bunky board is made from thick hardboard about ΒΌ inches in size. The whole board is then covered with a thin cloth.
As aforementioned, the bunky board is a thin platform that fits inside the bed giving it firm support so that it does not sag in the middle. The outer clothing protects the underside of the bed from dust. Depending on how it is built, it will also raise the mattress several inches. A bunky board can be made from several materials depending on individual requirements. Some of the materials that can be used include plywood, hardboard or any other type of wood such as pine wood. However, plywood is only appropriate when the bed has supports running across the entire width. This is because it is laminate and as such lacks any inbuilt mechanisms that can protect it from sagging.
When it comes to acquiring a bunky board, you can easily buy one from mattress dealers and manufacturers. However, you can also go the extra mile and make your own bunky board in case you do not like the ones available.
Making your own bunky board
A bunky board can be constructed at home easily using materials available from local home improvement stores. The procedure in itself is easy and does not have to take so long. Below are some instructions you can make use of in making your own bunky board.
The first step is to find out the size of the bunky board that you need. This will be dependent on your mattress size and also on the bed frame. Alternatively, you can make use of the known standard sizes such as twin, double, queen, king and California king sizes in order to determine the size of bunky board that you need. Once you know the size, you need to get the materials that you need to construct the bunky board. These are plywood and fabric for outer covering. For bunky boards that are queen size and above, you will need two sheets of plywood and two pieces of fabric.
As long as you have the materials, making the bunky board is very easy. When buying the plywood, you need to ensure that it is cut into thoae appropriate size. Once you are sure of this, you just need to cover the plywood which will act as the bunky board with the fabric. You can do this by using a staple gun to flatten the fabric over the plywood then stapling it into position. Ensure that the wrong side of the fabric faces the inside plywood to be covered. With this, you have your bunky board ready and you can set it on the bed frame and place the mattress on top.