metal vs wood bed frame

Metal Versus Wood Bed Frame – Which One Wins?

Are you planning on redoing or updating your bedroom with a new bed and bed frame? Maybe you’re just looking around at your options, and you’re trying to decide between a wood and a metal frame.

Whatever the reason, there are several things you should consider to ensure you make the choice that is going to work best for your needs.

When you look at a wood or metal bed frame, you have to consider the stability, cost, and which one is going to work best for your needs.

There’s no right or wrong answer here because it all comes down to personal preference. But, this doesn’t mean that you have to flip a quarter to decide which one to get.

Instead, this guide will compare metal and wood bed frames side by side on their stability, cost, weight, noise, pros, cons, benefits, and more to give you a good idea of which one will work better for your unique situation. Let’s dive in.

Metal Versus Wood Bed Frames: Stability Level

You can define stability in several ways. For a larger mattress, a metal bed frame can provide much more stability than wood can, but a wooden frame is better for a standard-sized bed. Wrought iron beds were very popular at one point, and they work better for holding larger mattresses too.

You also have to consider the material because it’s almost impossible for a metal bed frame to be unstable unless the metal bends, and this takes a huge amount of effort.

However, wooden bed frames edge out metal for stability because they usually also feature very solid materials. Still, they also have slots that the mattress slides into to hold it in place.

Metal Versus Wood Bed Frame: Cost

A lot of people make decisions based on what they can and can’t afford, and the budget just may be the tipping point for your own decision.

You’ll usually pay far less for a metal bed frame that has standard metal for the material with no extra frills compared to a wooden bed frame for standard-sized beds.

However, larger beds like California Kings will need a more heavy-duty metal to support the weight and sheer size of the mattress, and this can drive up the costs.

In this case, a wooden bed frame is typically going to be less expensive. However, metal typically wins in the cost category when you consider standard or smaller beds.

Metal Versus Wood Bed Frame: Weight

Most people think that a metal bed frame would weigh a decent amount more than a wooden one, but this isn’t always the case.

When it comes to the majority of your bed frames, a metal one is typically less ornate, large, and heavy when you compare it to wood.

Again, this changes if you need heavy-duty metal to support a larger bed. If this is what you’re after, wood is going to be lower weight and less bulky overall compared to metal.

Either way, moving them can be difficult, so keep your bed size in mind when you’re comparing weight classes.

Metal Versus Wood Bed Frame: Noise Levels

You may or may not take the noise factor into consideration when you’re looking at different bed frame options.

Due to wood’s shear rigidity, it’s less likely to come apart with repeated use or movement, and this means it typically produces less noise. So, wooden frames win when it comes to sound.

Additionally, a metal bed frame can loosen with age and start to squeak each time you turn over or move in your bed, and this can be very distracting.

There’s usually not a quick fix until you find out which part is causing the noise, so wooden bed frames win in this round.

Metal Versus Wood Bed Frame: Upkeep

A metal bed frame will need almost nothing in the way of upkeep and general maintenance unless it starts to squeak. Metal is also less prone to sustaining damage from everyday wear and tear over wood.

However, wood tends to look nicer. You do have to take more care to ensure it stays looking nice, and this includes regularly polishing it.

Doing so can help bring out the natural hues of the wood to make it more eye-catching, but it’s still more work than your average metal frame.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Using a Metal Bed Frame

Having a metal bed frame has a list of benefits and drawbacks associated with it, but you may be hesitant to part with it and switch to wood if you’ve never had a wooden one.

It’s important that you know about the benefits and drawbacks of this type of bed to help you make an informed decision, and we’ve outlined them for you below.

Benefits:

Less Maintenance – For the most part, you won’t have to do much in the way of maintenance when it comes to your metal bed frame. They’re generally more durable than a wooden frame, and this means you can use them for years without worrying about upkeep. Metal also won’t sustain damage due to pests or insects.

Personalization – If you’re willing to pay more, you can easily have your metal bed frame molded to fit your design aesthetics. Some come with elegant headboards and floorboards to help add decorative value to your room, and you can easily choose the one that suits your style.

Versatility – You’ll get much more versatility with this frame over other choices. They come in different colors, designs, and finishes.

Higher Weight Limits – Almost all metal bed frames can support a much larger amount of weight than wood can, and you can even upgrade to a heavy-duty one to support more weight. They’re very solid and rugged.

Drawbacks:

Variable Strengths – There are several factors that impact how strong your metal frame is, and one misstep could take the strength level way down. If the welds fail, the frame will fail too.

Not Temperature-Resistant – Metal is very susceptible to damage due to temperature fluctuations, and it doesn’t withstand temperature swings well.

Industrial Look – Even if you choose to have a molded metal bed frame in your house, it still looks bulkier and more industrial than some design styles will be able to handle. There isn’t a lot you can do to fix this either.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Using a Wooden Bed Frame

Just like the metal bed frame, wood also has benefits and drawbacks associated with it. If you’re not sure what they are, it’s impossible for you to make an informed decision between the two frame styles.

Benefits:

Easy to Customize – Wood gives you more flexibility when it comes to the shape, style, look, colors, and finishes. You could go with high-gloss finishes to create a focal point in your home, or you could dial it back to match a more subtle decor.

Durability – Wooden bed frames usually slot securely together, and this prevents them from slowly breaking apart or sliding out of the slot when you move. In turn, they’re more durable than other options, and they can withstand wear and tear better than metal.

Lifespan – If you invest in a high-quality wooden bed frame, there’s no reason why it won’t last for decades. A more heavy-duty option can easily support a larger bed with occupants without any strain, and there are fewer places for something to go wrong.

Drawbacks:

Bulky – One big drawback with a wooden frame comes when it’s time to move it. They tend to be extremely bulky and heavy, especially when you get more stylized options. You may need a few people to move it, and this includes moving it in pieces.

Price – Wooden bed frames can be extremely expensive, even if they do pay for themselves with how long they last. You may have to go above and beyond for your set budget to get one that is built to last.

Upkeep – Wood requires more maintenance and general upkeep to ensure it lasts and looks nice. You’ll have to polish it to keep it shining and remove smudges regularly, and it’s more prone to chips or scratches.

Bottom Line

A wooden bed frame may be the better choice for stability, but metal wins out where most people’s budget is concerned.

However, the final decision will rest entirely on your preferences. The factors we outlined should give you something to think about and ensure you make an informed decision when it comes time to make the final choice.

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