How do I keep the slats in our bed from falling out?

Question

Our bed has wooden slats in it and when the slats were bought they were mesured for the bed, but I am not sure when they were purchsed, I got the bed from my parents and they have had the bed for a while. The slats fit when we put them in and we are not sure why they fall. How can I keep the slats from falling out. We still live in an apartment and will move often until we are able to get a house or put this bed in the guest room so I need something that can be easily taken apart! Thanks for any help!

I really don't know how to can you be more specific for me? Where would I screw it in at, what kind of screws, should I screw it or nail it?

Answer 1

Just a thought... what about weather stripping? If you glue some weather stripping to the rails... the slats may not "slip". Again, I haven't tried this, but it seems logical to me.

Answer 2

Platform Bed Slats

Answer 3

The obvious answer is to make sure the bed is square to the wall, meaning bed is not skewed. Push bed up closer to wall to square it then slowly slide it away from wall keeping distance from wall equal on both corners of headboard. If this doesn't help , buy new slats at Home depot . Make sure you get slats made for beds. There are now metal angles that fit sides of frame and hold boxspring and mattress much better than slats.

Answer 4

Take some twine and wrap the ends of the frame together the slats fall out because the frame shifts and the gap is too big. You can also go get longer slats and lay them at an angle but if you dont plan on doing that the twine is your best option.

Answer 5

You can get longer slats from Home Depot or Lowe's cut much easier than adding wooden strips to the inside of each long side of the bed. Just measure the old ones and add 1/2" to an 1". (they should be snug against the inside of the bed frame). I would get at least eight to support the mattress. They shrink with age.

Answer 6

Wood screws are obviously the best answer, but if you're not comfortable with doing it, there is another alternative. Buy a roll of double-faced tape (sticky on both sides). Using this tape will not only keep the slats in place, but will also make it easy to take apart and move.

Answer 7

I've made several wooden beds for my children(who jump and wrestle on the bed). I always drill a pilot hole and use a wood screw to hold the slats. I like some of the other ideas on here too although I haven't tried them.

Answer 8

Put slats between the slats. That is, put slats on the rails between the slats at 90 degree angles and parallel to the side rails. This will hold them in place and be easily removed.

Answer 9

Screw the middle one in. One screw on each side of the middle most board will do it.
And, just in case you were wondering how something that obviously can't fall out, just does anyway....
they fall out because the side rails bow out when you get into the bed. The bed gets wider, the slats move around and...eventually...fall out.

I love stuff like this.

Answer 10

Make a "shim" for the gap the board produce....You can make it out of thick cardboard,scrap wood and fill the gap that the slats leave to the frame.... Or measure the bed and make some new slats...