What Makes a Good Futon Frame?
Though the most important part of a futon set is the futon mattress itself, a close second is the futon frame. Traditional Japanese futons do not require frames at all and instead lay directly on tatami mats but for the rest of us living in the west, a good quality supporting frame is vital to the comfort and longevity of your mattress.
Futon mattress frames come in two main varieties, the wood futon frame and the metal futon frame. As a naturalist I personally prefer a wooden frame but there are a large variety of good metal frames available on the market as well so you need not follow my personal preference. If you go for a wooden frame, choose a solid wood like a pine, ash, oak, birch, or maple. These are all strong sturdy woods that will serve your futon well for many years. Alternatively, if you prefer a metal frame, you’ll probably be more limited in the choice of material as most metal frames are made of steel (painted or stainless) though the pricier ones are sometime made of aluminum.
Probably the most important aspect of a futon bed frame are the slats. When considering the futon frame’s slats remember what I like to call the “rule of 3″. Essentially the slats need to ideally be at least 3 inches wide (2.5 at the very least) and should be no greater than 3 inches apart. If you don’t stick to this rule, you’ll probably find your futon mattress will wear much more quickly and won’t be as comfortable due to the lack of support. In addition to the slats, you may find some of the better futon frames have slat stress supports which look like thin boards underneath the slats that help reinforce them for even greater support. Whatever type of frame you choose however, be sure to stay clear away from metal frames that use round bars as slats as these provide very little if any support for your mattress.
In addition to the slats, you’ll want to look at the overall construction of the futon frame and whether there is evidence of good workmanship. For metal frames, check the welds for sturdiness and look for any signs of poor metalworking. With wooden frames be sure to check how the pieces of wood are connected together and look for any cracks that might weaken its structure. In general, it’s best to look for frames with morits and tennon construction as this type of joinery will increase the overall strength of your frame and its lifespan. Also, many futon companies are now adding various stress supports which typically come in the form of metal brackets and support beams. These stress supports can help make the bed frame stronger and that much more durable, thus increasing its longevity. In particular check for the existence of angle brackets in your frame. Angle brackets reinforce a joint and help support the various weights exerted on your frame. Striker plates are also beneficial for futon bed frames that transform into a sofa or chair as they protect the wood that is exposed to rubbing. Without these metal plates, the wood can start to wear and weaken especially if you are transforming your bed to its furniture form often.
Finally, there comes the topic of the warranty which can range widely from 90 days all they way up to 10 years and sometimes even longer. Like any type of merchandise, with all other things being equal, the longer the warranty, the longer the company expects their frame to last, and thus the better the overall quality and craftsmanship. If you choose a good quality futon frame and mattress with a decent warranty and all the other aspects I’ve discussed, there’s no reason why your frame couldn’t last well past 15 years or more. Just like the futon mattress, it’s always better not to skimp and buy a cheap futon frame but instead get something you’re going to be happy with for years to come.
