Your Guide to Platform Beds
Wood, metal, veneer?
Most cheap platform beds are made of particle board or compressed cardboard and then layered with veneer. Obviously these types of platform bed frames will not last as long as metal or solid wood platform beds. Overtime, aided by moisture and temperature fluctuations, particle board and compressed cardboard will expand and the veneer adhesive will separate. Needless to say this does not look good. Also these types of composite materials provide poor anchoring for screws and nails which are the most common fasteners for cheap platform beds. With use these anchors become loose and can eventually strip out completely. The result – your platform bed will fall apart.
With wood and metal platform bed frames you won’t have the separation problem but you can still have problems with the anchors if done with nails and screws however it is not nearly as likely as with composite materials. Nails and screws will inevitably loosen with use (please see "mortise and tenon" solution discussed later). Painted metal platform beds can scratch while powder coated metals and quality wood are far more scratch resistant.
Solid wood frames tend to be the most expensive choices but they are often the most attractive. Quality solid wood platform bed frames will often utilize the natural beauty of wood it accentuate design. Solid wood
platform beds also tend to have the best craftsmanship and give an overall impression of quality. Like any antique, well crafted furniture can last a lifetime. Quality is a timeless style.
Mortise and Tenon vs. Screws and Nails.
Mortise and tenon is the sturdiest way to construct furniture. Think of it like Legos, with each end of a board linking into a corresponding space on the adjacent board. These types of joints eliminate the need for flimsy fasteners such as screws and nails and can support a tremendous amount of weight.
Tongue and groove is similar to mortise and tenon construction but usually has shallower links. In short platform beds constructed of solid wood with mortise and tenon joinery is considered to be the highest quality possible and will last the longest! Environmental Considerations
The better the construction the less likely you will want to throw away your old platform bed and buy a new one. It is always environmentally wise to buy quality once rather than cheap products you’ll have to replace over and over.
Certain materials are considered more sustainable than others with some materials are considered downright bad for the environment. Overall the most sustainable choice is wood platform beds frames made from reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood is refinished wood taken from old barns, houses, railways, bridges and more. Not only does this save a live tree but old wood becomes stronger and is less likely to warp with age as the water content drops making them also the most durable platform beds as well. Particle board platform beds made from recycled woods and non toxic adhesives are the next best choice.
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