HI,
I have an existing queen-sized base that I would like to use plywood to firm up the base. How would i got about doing this? Would I do it a couple of sections so the mattress gets air? How much plywood would I need?
Hello @steveg0312
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your queen-sized bed.
Before we offer any recommendations, would it be possible for you to share a picture of your bed frame? This will give our members a better idea of what you are trying to add extra support to. Once we see the bed frame, we'll be able to offer a comprehensive recommendation on how to add extra support to your bed frame.
In regard to your question, yes, plywood is a good material to use in supporting your bed frame. However, it may not be the only material you'll need to use if you are after more robust structural support.
If you need assistance with posting the photo, please let us know.
Eric
Hi Eric
I am not at home but it looks like this. Its a bit older.
Steve
Thank you for sharing that photo. It gives us a much better idea of the type of bedframe that you have. If you are after horizontal support, I propose creating a rectangular frame made from https://www.bunnings.com.au/customply-2400-x-1200-x-12mm-non-structural-plywood_p0340315 . I then suggest cutting the plywood into 150mm strips and laying them out with a 50mm gap in between the strips. You can use standard screws such as https://www.bunnings.com.au/zenith-8g-x-20mm-zinc-plated-hinge-long-threads-countersunk-head-timber-screws-35-pack_p2420066 to assemble the frame.
Another material I would suggest is https://www.bunnings.com.au/140-x-19mm-1-2m-dar-pine-premium_p8401503 . The gap can be bigger for this material as it is much stiffer than plywood.
Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Noyade, @Remarka6le and @DIY4Knuckleheds for their recommendations.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Are you all able to cut the pieces for us if we don't have the means to cut them ourselves.
The shop saws are not built for precision cutting and are often just used to cut timber for ease of transport; I would suggest cutting the timber yourself with either a hand saw or a circular saw if you can borrow one.
Here is a handy guide: How to choose and use a hand saw
"Its a bit older."
Based on the legs - I have the same bed as you illustrated above, @steveg0312. I'm not sure why you need to add plywood? It's incredibly firm as it is.
If you put the bed on its side - remove some of the covering - are all the wooden cross members intact?
Good Evening @steveg0312
I have used the plywood that @EricL has suggested to fix a saggy old lounge seat :) It worked great. For a bed like your picture you could instead of cutting it into strips drill 50mm holes in the plywood sheet for air circulation (like polka dots across the sheet) I have seen beds with no holes in the timber base but its a rarity.
Dave
As far as why it needs reinforcement. One of the pieces of wood is broken so its making everything sag. Plus I am not a small guy so I just wanted to reinforce it.
