Facts And Features Of Bed Frames

Additionally, frames can be made using a wide variety of materials, though one most often sees them in some sort of metal or wood. A frame is composed of several different pieces, including side rails, head rails and foot rails. Usually, the bed rails are made of what ironworkers call "angle iron." Their purpose is to serve as a ledge upon which the edges of the mattress can sit.

Keep in mind that the larger the bed is, starting with double or full-sized and going all the way up to King-sized or custom-sized, the more center support the frame is going to need to provide, lest the mattress and box spring sag in the middle and eventually fail. Many frames these days also come with headboards that can be attached to improve the look of the frame.

Generally speaking -- unless the frame has been specifically designed for one -- most will not come with the ability to have footboards affixed to them. If one is desired, make sure that the frame that is being purchased will have the right kinds of fittings at the foot so that the footboards can be easily joined to it.

Many frames are made in a wide variety of metal, no matter whether they're popular or contemporary frames or more traditional types. A bed and frame that's been around for years and which never seems to lose its appeal is the brass bed (though the rails are usually made of steel). All quality brass beds should be composed of 100% brass, by the way, in their headboards and footboards.

Another extremely sturdy bed that first hit the scene way back in 1850 and which has been around in one form or another since then is the iron bed. Back then, whole industries existed that turned out very finely-detailed and exquisite beds of this type, though the advent of World War I and the rise of mass production saw many boutique foundries unable to keep up, eventually going out of business.

These pre-World War I bed frames and beds are widely recognized as being some of the most detailed and heaviest beds around. Now, modern versions of these beds can be made at much lower relative costs and with nearly the detail and craftsmanship that once were hallmarks of these little boutique foundries. As for what to look for, it's smart to always check any frame over before it's purchased.