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teodorotau4 Feb 2024 18:07Why do some Malm beds creak more than others?
I recently bought a Malm bed from IKEA and noticed that it creaks quite a bit when I turn over or get up. I’ve heard from others that their Malm beds don’t creak at all or creak much less. I’m curious about what might cause this.
Is it due to the assembly, differences in materials, wear and tear, or the type of mattress? Or do environmental factors like humidity play a role?
Maybe someone has experience with this specific issue in Malm beds and can explain why some are noticeably louder than others—and what can be done about it.
I recently bought a Malm bed from IKEA and noticed that it creaks quite a bit when I turn over or get up. I’ve heard from others that their Malm beds don’t creak at all or creak much less. I’m curious about what might cause this.
Is it due to the assembly, differences in materials, wear and tear, or the type of mattress? Or do environmental factors like humidity play a role?
Maybe someone has experience with this specific issue in Malm beds and can explain why some are noticeably louder than others—and what can be done about it.
The squeaking in Malm beds is usually due to mechanical causes.
The bed frame is typically made of particleboard and metal fittings. If screws are not tightened enough or loosen over time, small movements can cause friction noises.
The connection between the slatted frame and the bed frame can also be a factor, as well as insufficient cushioning between contact points.
Exactly: differences in assembly quality and maintenance lead to varying degrees of squeaking. Humidity can cause the wood to swell, changing the fit and contributing to the noise.
The bed frame is typically made of particleboard and metal fittings. If screws are not tightened enough or loosen over time, small movements can cause friction noises.
The connection between the slatted frame and the bed frame can also be a factor, as well as insufficient cushioning between contact points.
teodorotau schrieb:
Maybe someone has experience with the specific issue in Malm beds and can explain why some are noticeably louder than others
Exactly: differences in assembly quality and maintenance lead to varying degrees of squeaking. Humidity can cause the wood to swell, changing the fit and contributing to the noise.
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Nathanaelk4 Feb 2024 18:53I agree with KAULIS but would like to add a more technical perspective:
The squeaking usually results from friction between two solid surfaces or moving parts, especially at the connection points. In a Malm bed, these are typically:
- Screws and bolts that connect the side panels to the headboard and footboard
- Contact points of the slatted base with its support surface
- Movable joints of the bed frame
If these points are not tight enough, wood fibers rub against each other or metal parts rub against wood, creating vibrations that we perceive as squeaking.
It is interesting that some beds squeak differently despite apparently being assembled the same way – material variations also play a role here. Particleboard can react slightly differently under load due to manufacturing tolerances. Also, how the screws are tightened varies from person to person, affecting the tension in the connections.
Regarding your question about the mattress: uneven load, for example from a firmer mattress on a softer base, can transfer tension forces to the frame and thus increase the movement of the parts.
This is an important point: For example, in dry heated air during winter, wooden joints can shrink slightly and swell again as humidity rises, affecting the squeaking.
The squeaking usually results from friction between two solid surfaces or moving parts, especially at the connection points. In a Malm bed, these are typically:
- Screws and bolts that connect the side panels to the headboard and footboard
- Contact points of the slatted base with its support surface
- Movable joints of the bed frame
If these points are not tight enough, wood fibers rub against each other or metal parts rub against wood, creating vibrations that we perceive as squeaking.
It is interesting that some beds squeak differently despite apparently being assembled the same way – material variations also play a role here. Particleboard can react slightly differently under load due to manufacturing tolerances. Also, how the screws are tightened varies from person to person, affecting the tension in the connections.
Regarding your question about the mattress: uneven load, for example from a firmer mattress on a softer base, can transfer tension forces to the frame and thus increase the movement of the parts.
KAULIS schrieb:
Humidity can cause the wood to swell, which changes the fit and contributes to noises.
This is an important point: For example, in dry heated air during winter, wooden joints can shrink slightly and swell again as humidity rises, affecting the squeaking.
Well, I think a little squeaking is almost part of the experience, like the bed is alive and letting you know it’s being used, right? 🙂
But seriously: I believe the “more or less squeaking” also depends on how the bed is positioned. If the floor is uneven or the bed wobbles even slightly, that affects the movement of the parts and makes the noise more noticeable.
I’ve also read that small plastic pads or felt gliders at the contact points between metal and wood can help reduce the squeaking.
I’d say it’s a bit of everything! Like a good dance partner, everything needs to be perfectly in sync to make it harmonious.
But seriously: I believe the “more or less squeaking” also depends on how the bed is positioned. If the floor is uneven or the bed wobbles even slightly, that affects the movement of the parts and makes the noise more noticeable.
I’ve also read that small plastic pads or felt gliders at the contact points between metal and wood can help reduce the squeaking.
teodorotau schrieb:
I’m curious about what causes it. Is it due to assembly, material differences, wear and tear, or the type of mattress?
I’d say it’s a bit of everything! Like a good dance partner, everything needs to be perfectly in sync to make it harmonious.
Haha, vin_leo, I have to agree with you – a completely silent bed might actually feel a bit too sterile 😉
But jokes aside: I once had the problem that my Malm bed was squeaking, especially in the mornings when getting up – which almost drove me crazy.
For me, the solution was tightening all the screws again and also applying a little soapy water to the wood-metal contact points. Lubrication makes a big difference, especially with wood.
Sometimes it’s also worth completely loosening the screws and then carefully tightening them evenly again.
What do you think – is tightening the screws your first step, or do you usually go straight for new padding or gliders?
But jokes aside: I once had the problem that my Malm bed was squeaking, especially in the mornings when getting up – which almost drove me crazy.
For me, the solution was tightening all the screws again and also applying a little soapy water to the wood-metal contact points. Lubrication makes a big difference, especially with wood.
Sometimes it’s also worth completely loosening the screws and then carefully tightening them evenly again.
What do you think – is tightening the screws your first step, or do you usually go straight for new padding or gliders?
meGreg schrieb:
In the end, my solution was to tighten all the screws again and also apply a bit of soapy water to the wood-metal edges.From a technical standpoint, this is very good advice. Retightening compensates for loosening of the connections caused by material expansion or settlement over time.
Lubricating with soap or graphite powder reduces friction and prevents vibrations from occurring at critical points. However, oil should not be used as it can cause the wood to swell.
meGreg schrieb:
What do you think, is retightening the screws your first step?Definitely. A properly aligned and securely fastened structure is the foundation before taking any further measures.
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