How to fix squeaky bed frame wood

You’ve had a long, busy day, you’ve relaxed with a warm bath and a mug of cocoa and you’re about to tumble into a soft, comfy bed. What could possibly go wrong? Well, how about a bed that squeaks alarmingly every time you climb into it, or if you try and move once you’re under the covers? If your bed lets out squeaks and groans every time you move, it can be very difficult to relax properly and get that all-important quality night’s sleep. A squeaky bed isn’t just annoying – if it starts to impact on your sleep patterns then it can have a real effect on your health too. If you share a squeaky bed with your partner then it could be twice as bad.

The obvious answer is to get rid of that squeak, but how? Here’s a quick guide to hunting down that squeak, and stopping it once and for all.

Why do beds squeak?

All beds, whether they’re made of wood or metal, have joints. If these joints start rubbing against one another because they’ve come loose over time, the friction between the two surfaces as they rub together will cause that characteristic squeak. This is why you’ll usually get the same squeak every time you move in a certain way. That is a good way to track down exactly where the squeak is coming from – the first part of any solution.

Other reasons could be broken bed slats, old or broken mattress springs, or even the bed being uneven (a real problem in older properties where the floor may not be as ‘flat’ as you’d think!). You could also discover that the cause of a squeak is the bed or headboard rubbing against the wall, or a headboard that hasn’t been fitted properly and is loose.

How do I stop that wretched squeaking!?

Don’t panic, we should be able to help you sort out any of these issues and banish those squeaks once and for all. All of these are relatively simple to sort out, although bear in mind that the older the bed, the more likely you’re going to have to take radical action to get a squeak-free night’s sleep, including possibly replacing the bed completely.

Firstly, let’s deal with the really easy ones.

Step 1: If you find the cause of your misery is a loose headboard or one that’s rubbing against a wall, then all you need to do is pull the bed a couple of inches away from the wall, and make sure the screws holding the headboard onto the frame are done up tight. You’ll usually find that the screws have a metal washer that sits between the head of the screw and the body of the bed. You can replace these with rubber washers if you prefer, but making sure the screw (which is usually a crosshead screw) is done up tight should stop the noise.

Step 2: On old metal beds, you can go around with that screwdriver and make sure everything is tightened up properly. In fact, this is a good thing to do on a regular basis to prevent any damage to the frame. If your bed has casters on the feet (more common with older models) then they may need a little drop of three-in-one oil to banish any squeaks.

Step 3: If the bed is on an uneven floor then you may need to do a bit of levelling up. Break out the spirit level and some pieces of plywood and, just like you would with a rickety table, pop a piece under any corner that’s a bit wobbly.

Fourth on our list are broken slats and springs, these are a bit more serious and could mean a little bit of financial investment to sort the problem out.

Step 4: A broken bed slat can be replaced, but make sure you get the right size (measure twice, cut once, as any carpenter will tell you!) or it could give way on you.

Step 5: If your bed frame is sprung then a broken spring may be difficult to replace and could indicate that the bed is coming to the end of its natural life.

If the squeak is a broken spring in your mattress then you can either flip the mattress (if it’s a double-sided version), or it’s time to bite the bullet and buy a new one.

It’s impossible to put a price on a good night’s sleep – don’t let a squeaky bed ruin your slumbers.

Are you finished with your squeaking bed? Maybe it's time for a new one...

Nothing is more frustrating than hearing your bed squeak every time you roll over. Not only is it irritating, but a creaky bed frame can impact the quality of your sleep if it's loud enough to wake you up during the night. So why do wooden beds squeak, and is there anything to be done about it? Let's take a look at some common causes of a squeaky bed frame and show you how to avoid it.

Why do wooden beds squeak?

The most common reason why wooden beds squeak is because of loose joints. When the surfaces of two parts of the bed frame are not pushed up tight together, they rub against each other every time the bed moves and this creates a creaking sound.

You'll probably notice that the squeak occurs when you move in a certain way or sit on a certain part of the bed. You might also notice that the bed frame shifts or wobbles a little when you move on the bed. This is a sure sign that the joints are loose.

Loose joints are a common symptom of old bed frames. Repetitive movements made night after night, year after year eventually put a strain on the joints until they begin to pull apart. This is particularly common in cheap wooden bed frames which are constructed from low-quality wood and have poorly manufactured joints.

Changing weather conditions can also contribute to loose joints. Wood expands in hot conditions and this can force the joints apart. When the temperature drops and the wood contracts again, gaps are left between the joints and squeaking can start to occur.

Sometimes beds squeak for reasons other than the wooden frame. Slats could be broken, mattress springs may be broken or old, or the bed frame may be pushed up too close to the wall and rubbing against it. It's also possible for squeaky floorboards to be mistaken for a squeaking bed.

It's always a good idea to try moving the bed from its usual position and see if the squeaking persists to find out if the floor or wall may be the culprit.

Product: Paston Wooden Bed Frame

Do wooden beds squeak more than metal?

Metal beds are far more susceptible to creaking than wooden frames. Why do wooden beds squeak less than metal? Simply because there's less friction between two wooden surfaces than two metal ones. There is absolutely no give in metal, and over time the connection points of a metal frame rub against each other more and more until they create an unpleasant screeching sound.

Rusting can make the squeaking worse on metal bed frames and unfortunately, poor quality steel is susceptible to rusting. However, wrought iron bed frames are stronger, more durable and less susceptible to rusting and therefore less likely to squeak with age.

How can I choose a bed frame that won't squeak?

Good quality solid wood bed frames are less susceptible to squeaking than cheap MDF frames because they're durable enough that the joints can be firmly screwed together for a flush finish that will not lead to rubbing.

All of the bespoke wooden bed frames produced here at Endurance Beds are constructed from high-quality Scandinavian pine or oak. This is to ensure that they last and last for years to come, but it also offers the added benefit of the joints being strong enough that they are unlikely to loosen and cause squeaking.

It's important to choose a bed that is big and durable enough for those sleeping on it. Beds that are frequently overloaded are more likely to experience loosening of the joints as they are put under pressure. Be sure to purchase a bed that has an adequate weight limit. For example, our wooden beds are suitable for individuals up to 28 stone and can support a total weight of 50 stone, which is much higher than many typical wooden beds.

Keep in mind too that mattresses can be fairly heavy, particularly when they are very deep, and your bed frame should be sturdy enough to support it. Solid wooden slats are the best choice for heavy mattresses because they are less likely to squeak or break than sprung slats.

When you assemble a wooden bed frame, you should take care to tighten screws and nuts adequately to ensure the joints are securely connected. However, take care not to over-tighten in an attempt to prevent squeaking as this could lead to cracks or cross treads. Instead, tighten firmly and then check the nuts again after a week of use to ensure they are still adequately tightened. If you do ever experience squeaking, simply check the nuts and tighten any that are loose.

Product: Kelling Solid Oak Bed Frame

How can you fix a squeaky bed frame?

The first step in fixing a squeaky bed frame is to find out where the squeak is coming from. You will probably notice certain movements trigger the noise, so listen carefully to narrow down the area from which it is being made. Then, check any screws and nuts in this area and tighten them up to ensure the joints are firmly connected.

If squeaking persists, there are a few tricks you can do to prevent it. First, rub a candlestick gently over the squeaking joint. The wax helps the two surfaces to glide silently against each other rather than creating enough friction to squeak. This is not a permanent solution and the wax may need to be reapplied from time to time, but it's useful if tightening the screws and bolts doesn't completely stop the squeak.

Another trick is to use cork between the joints. This is particularly helpful for very old beds which have warped so much that it's not possible to get the joints to sit flush together. The cork tightens up the loose spots and dampens any squeaking noises.

Unfortunately, sometimes the squeak simply can't be worked out of a bed frame, particularly if it's very old. If you've tried everything to get rid of the squeak to no avail, it might be time to invest in a new bed. Check out our range of durable solid wooden bed frames now to find your brand new bed.

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