One of the most difficult to find, and most expensive pieces of bedroom furniture is a water bed frame. While many companies have started making frames to match most of the sets, it is still not guaranteed that a person can find what they are looking for. So with a few tools and some know, most people can frame themselves for much less than buying.
Zinus Lorelei 14 Inch Platforma Bed Frame / Mattress Foundation / No Box Spring Needed / Steel Slat Support, Twin
How much does it weigh?
The first thing to consider when raising a water bed frame is the total weight of the bladder when it is full. The traditional California king bladder water bed weighs 1857 pounds when filled. The next thing to think about is the amount of space required to support this weight. A house that is built for the normal building code can support 54 pounds per square foot of surface. Therefore, going with that ideal, a California King mattress would need about 36 square feet of floor space, or an area of 66 inches by 78 inches, to ensure the bed stays in the room and not underneath. Now that we know the dimensions of the base, we can determine what needs to be done to build it.
How to build it?
Now that the weight issue is decided, the actual construction can begin. In order to properly build a strong water bed frame, everything has to be screwed with at least 1-1 / 2 inches screws. Therefore, the base should be 66 inches by 78 inches, and the second level should be 72 inches by 84 inches. This difference leaves a 6-inch cantilever all the way around the frame. For wood, the lower section of the frame should be constructed from 2 inches by 6 inches of standard lumber construction, and the top of the frame has to be constructed from 2 inches by 12 inches of standard lumber and 2 inches by 4 inches of standard wood. Now, for the assembly.
How to ride?
The first layer of the frame is constructed as a normally framed wall. The wood will be on the edge, with additional supports every 12 inches through the short length. After all that is bolted together, the base needs a face covered with 1/2 inch plywood. Now the second layer has to be built. The second layer is framed on the side with 2 x 12 wood, and then the 2 x 4 supports run through the short length every 12 inches. Once the brackets and frame are screwed together, place the second layer over the first, not forgetting to leave a 6-inch cantilever in all directions, and the screw from the top to the bottom. Now cover the supports with 1/2 inch plywood, and the bed is ready to support the weight of a waterbed. Remember to build this bed in its place, or as close as possible. Once built, this frame will weigh around 200 pounds. This frame can also be used for a standard mattress or made smaller to fit different beds.