Robust beds

Nicki

DD has just broken her bed again for the third time in a year . I think it has now got to the stage where it isn't worth repairing as very few of the original slats remain.

She is nearly 12 and with profound special needs. She has epilepsy which means that she can jerk and twitch violently in bed, and also has a tendency to bounce from a lying or sitting position on the bed when she gets over excited. This is what is causing the bed to break. These are involuntary movements, so no posts please telling me that I need to teach her not to do this.

Can anyone recommend a sturdy single bed, or a style of bed which will be more robust? This is what she is currently in:

http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-ashton-bedsteads-single/p327991?colour=White

Would a divan set up be weaker or stronger? Are the beds with curved slats any good? Or any other ideas for styles of bed which might withstand the strain?

Gillyx

I'd imagine a divan would maybe withstand it better than slats would but I'm not brilliant at DIY by any manner of means so don't quote me on that

poorly_scammo

These are reinforced beds for heavy people. They come in a variety of sizes. Perhaps this might be an avenue to explore: http://www.reinforcedbeds.co.uk/collections/divan-beds

CH27

Would a metal framed bed be suitable?

peachyprice

How about one with a metal base?

My boys have Ikea beds, one has the wooden slats, many of those are missing or broken, the other has a metal base, like this (best photo I could find to illustrate the kind of metal base I mean, this isn't the actual bed he has)
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=metal+bed+base&um=1&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=428&tbm=isch&tbnid=Hc8wdSeCDpAFqM:&imgrefurl=http://www.profillment.net/products.aspx%3Fdid%3D58&docid=zSvOy5vpeFbhXM&imgurl=http://www.profillment.net/images/products/7779/32.1-Full%252520Metal%252520bed%252520base.JPG&w=500&h=367&ei=bKQvUZSvEMiV0QXs4oDoCQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=156&sig=112281738081612500941&page=2&tbnh=141&tbnw=192&start=8&ndsp=14&ved=1t:429,r:17,s:0,i:128&tx=71&ty=67
it's still as good as new 11 years later. Not sure if Ikea still do them or if there are any better, but it's probably worth a look.

I don't think the ones with curved slats are any better, we had a bed from Heals like that, the slats kept popping out of their sockets, it drove us mad, we got rid in the end.

DD has one with little plastic pockets that the slats go into and the plastic pockets pop out of their holes if I stand on the bed.

On_My_Lonesome

How about a metal frame bed?

I have a metal frame double and even the slats are metal so will withstand lots of strain and may be cheaper than a special bed for taking extra weight and more durable than a divan.

I got mine from Big W several years ago but am sure there will be similar around if have a look.

pigpen

Would it help to replace all the slats with a solid board of plywood ?? Maybe on top of the slats or just on the bedframe. a few cross pieces added to the base would help steady it I'd think.

TBH I think a divan would be worse, they tend to have only 3 bits running under the mattress so wouldn't last as long as the weight spread across many slats.

Nicki

pigpen wrote: »

Would it help to replace all the slats with a solid board of plywood ?? Maybe on top of the slats or just on the bedframe. a few cross pieces added to the base would help steady it I'd think.

Your second suggestion was repair number 1, and your first, repair number 2. I am stunned that she's managed to break through again!

I will have a browse for metal framed beds now.

Thanks

Beckyy

Do you have a budget as such?

We have a bed from indigo furniture and it's solid as a rock, the best built piece of furniture I've ever bought, but the price reflects the quality. On the plus side they build it for you. They have a few ranges and prices can vary dramatically, maybe not much use if you don't want to spend much (£400/500 for a single I think), but I would be very suprised if one of their beds broke and would expect a refund if it did as they're meant to be very sturdy. http://www.indigofurniture.co.uk/

thehappybutterfly

I'd suggest a divan bed. Could she not hurt herself on a metal frame bed if she thrashes about? Those slat beds are hopeless!

pigpen

Nicki wrote: »

Your second suggestion was repair number 1, and your first, repair number 2. I am stunned that she's managed to break through again!

I will have a browse for metal framed beds now.

Thanks

railroad sleepers instead of slats??

The metal ones won't last 5 minutes they are barely sturdy without being bounced on.. and squeak horrifically.