# Slats in a bunk bed **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 16, 2006, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slats-in-a-bunk-bed/372993 "2006-09-16T21:24:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slats-in-a-bunk-bed/372993/1 "2006-09-16T21:24:38Z")
We picked up a set of antique bunk beds for my son yesterday. They do not have all the slats - only 3 slats were included. How many do we need, to hold up a twin mattress? ---
**Author:** ![Cowgirl\_Jules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@Cowgirl\_Jules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowgirl_Jules)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slats-in-a-bunk-bed/372993/2 "2006-09-16T22:48:03Z")
My boys’ bed has 12 for each mattress. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slats-in-a-bunk-bed/372993/3 "2006-09-16T22:49:59Z")
Note that if there’s an IKEA near you, you can buy bed slats there. I have a set I use on a guest bed. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slats-in-a-bunk-bed/372993/4 "2006-09-16T23:18:00Z")
Is this like one of those word problems? Math is hard. ☹ 😉 ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2006, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slats-in-a-bunk-bed/372993/5 "2006-09-17T00:49:15Z")
[QUOTE=Rasa] Is this like one of those word problems? Math is hard. ☹ 😉 [/QUOTE] Let’s go shopping! 😉 Dave picked up a plank and cut it down, we will try it with up to 8. We’ll just set up one bed for now. $3.00 for a plank, and how much for the slats at a store? IKEA was actually my first thought - but thanks for your suggestions! ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2006, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slats-in-a-bunk-bed/372993/6 "2006-09-17T09:28:51Z")
**Gingy** , I went and looked but ours are custom made and require no slats. The slats under my son’s full size bed, however, are four in number. These I made in a snit one night with a chain saw and a couple of 2 x 4’s. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2006, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slats-in-a-bunk-bed/372993/7 "2006-09-17T09:37:00Z")
Just remember that you need MORE slats up the top end of the bed than down the bottom to accomodate the greater body weight. Aside from that, I would have at least 8 on your average bed…more depending on the mattress. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2006, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slats-in-a-bunk-bed/372993/8 "2006-09-17T13:39:26Z")
Heh. No snit involved here - and they’re 1x4 rather than 2x4. Total was $8.94 with some leftover pieces.