What is a Bunkie Board?

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If you’ve spent any time shopping for a bed, you’ve probably run across the term “bunkie board” (sometimes spelled “bunky board”). But maybe you didn’t think much about it while you were busy sifting through all the different mattress types, bed frames, and bed bases.

If you’re not familiar with what bunkie boards are, they’re 1 to 3-inch-thick pieces of plywood, wood, or durable particleboard meant to provide a solid platform between your bed and its base. These boards often come with fabric coverings to make them less likely to tear the upholstery on your mattress.

Bunkie boards may seem unnecessary, but they can be the perfect solution to issues like a too-soft mattress or saggy box springs. Let’s talk a little more about who should use them and why.

Pros and Cons of Using a Bunkie Board

There are several situations where a bunkie board might be helpful. At the same time, there are a few things to watch out for as well. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages and drawbacks of bunkie boards.

Bunkie Board Pros

Bunkie boards can help firm up a too-soft bed by providing extra support underneath the mattress. This is especially true of box spring and innerspring mattress combos because bunkie boards give box springs more rigid support. Bunkie boards can also reduce mattress sagging by providing a flat surface to support the middle of the bed.

Another great advantage of a bunkie board is it can support a heavy mattress on bed slats. The board can go over the slats of your mattress foundation or platform bed to keep the extra weight of a foam or hybrid mattress evenly distributed.

One of the best uses for a bunkie board is to improve the support of an aging set of box springs. If you don’t have the money to get a replacement, placing a bunkie board between your box springs and mattress could be a more budget-friendly solution to counteract box spring sagging and gaps in support.

However, keep in mind box springs are only really compatible with traditional innerspring mattresses. If you’re thinking about placing a bunkie board on top of your box springs to form a base for your new hybrid or memory foam mattress, this won’t work. The weight of the board and mattress will over-compress the box springs, eliminating their support and maybe even breaking them.

Bunkie Board Cons

Bunkie boards are great for absorbing and distributing pressure, but they do have a couple of downsides. First off, they don’t allow for air circulation, so if you have a latex foam bed or memory foam mattress, the reduced airflow might encourage heat retention and moisture buildup. You can avoid moisture buildup and mold growth by airing your mattress out every once and a while—just pull your mattress off the bed frame and lean it against the wall for a few hours so it can breathe.

Also, some wooden bunkie boards can be vulnerable to moisture and temperature changes. If you live in a wet climate, daily humidity may warp your bunkie board over time. A misshapen bunkie board can slide around under your mattress and may even damage your mattress if it’s warped badly enough. With that, you’ll want to check your bunkie board periodically to make sure it’s still in good shape (and replace it if it starts sagging).

FAQs

How much should I pay for a bunkie board?

The cost of a bunkie board depends both on its materials and size. Of course, the larger your mattress size, the pricier its corresponding bunkie board will be. Solid wood bunkie boards will also likely be costlier than bunkie boards made out of compressed wood chips or particleboard. And cosmetic finishes on fabric-free bunkie boards can up the price as well. Generally speaking, you should expect to pay between $50 and $150 for a bunkie board.

If you want to save some money, placing a plain plywood board under your mattress instead can be a cheaper option. Just make sure the plywood is moisture-resistant, at least 3/4 of an inch thick, and cut to the same size as your mattress so it doesn’t slide around.

Where can I purchase a bunkie board?

Aside from online retailers, you can also get bunkie boards at mattress stores and bedroom furniture stores. Just make sure you know what dimensions you need before shopping. If you have a standard bed size, a bunkie board should be easy to find.

If I have a slatted foundation and a hybrid/foam mattress, do I have to use a bunkie board?

If you have a slatted bed frame, you may need a bunkie board. A lot of bed frames have slats that are farther apart than 2 to 3 inches. If that’s the case, you really only have a couple of options. You could add extra slats to your bed frame to ensure the gap between each slat is less than 3 inches. Or, you could slide a bunkie board between your mattress and its base to make sure your mattress is getting enough all-over support.

If you have a memory foam mattress, you can also place a mattress foundation between the mattress and the bed frame for support. Mattress foundations offer height in addition to support.

Can I use a bunkie board with an adjustable base?

You should never put a bunkie board on an adjustable base. Bunkie boards can’t fold, so they won’t work with a base that changes positions. In fact, placing anything between a mattress and an adjustable base will prevent the base from functioning correctly—so no box springs or mattress foundations either.

Can I use a bunkie board by itself?

If you have a slatted bed frame and you want a bed with a low profile, placing a bunkie board underneath your mattress can be a good alternative to a box spring or foundation. Extra mattress supports, like foundations and box springs, can increase the height of your bed by up to 12 inches.

Also, if you’re looking to ditch the bed frame or platform bed altogether, sliding a bunkie board between your mattress and the floor is a good idea. Placing your mattress directly on the floor often causes it to absorb moisture, pick up pests, and accumulate dust, but bunkie boards can somewhat protect a floor bed from these threats.

Bottom Line

Not only can bunkie boards solve tons of mattress support issues, but they’re also great if you want a modern, low-profile look for your bed. Maybe best of all, bunkie boards offer a simple, budget-friendly support alternative if you’re not looking to spend a lot of money on a base for your mattress.