Hello everyone,
I have noticed something that puzzles me a bit, and I hope to find a clear explanation here in the forum: why do some Malm furniture pieces (from the IKEA range) tend to creak more often than others?
I notice this effect especially with my bed, regardless of how often or how intensely I move. It seems that certain joints or structural parts are responsible for these noises.
Do you have any experience or explanations regarding this phenomenon? Is it due to the materials used, the construction method, or simply the assembly? I am particularly interested in specific reasons and whether there are ways to permanently reduce or even eliminate the creaking sounds.
Thanks in advance for your insights!
I have noticed something that puzzles me a bit, and I hope to find a clear explanation here in the forum: why do some Malm furniture pieces (from the IKEA range) tend to creak more often than others?
I notice this effect especially with my bed, regardless of how often or how intensely I move. It seems that certain joints or structural parts are responsible for these noises.
Do you have any experience or explanations regarding this phenomenon? Is it due to the materials used, the construction method, or simply the assembly? I am particularly interested in specific reasons and whether there are ways to permanently reduce or even eliminate the creaking sounds.
Thanks in advance for your insights!
Hello seydlu,
First of all, thank you for your well-formulated question – it makes it easier to respond precisely. To address your question: Malm furniture, especially the beds, often squeak due to the combination of engineered wood products (mostly particleboard) and the relatively simple assembly system.
The squeaking usually occurs at contact points between moving parts, such as where screws or dowels are not completely tight or where the wood panels shift slightly under load. Engineered wood also reacts to moisture and temperature, causing minimal expansion that can produce noise.
One way to reduce squeaking is to regularly tighten all screws and connections and, if necessary, apply a small amount of wax or silicone spray between the contact surfaces. Inserting small felt or rubber strips in specific areas can also help reduce friction and thus minimize squeaking.
If you like, I can send you a brief guide on the typical points to check on a Malm bed.
I hope this helps you for now! 🙂
First of all, thank you for your well-formulated question – it makes it easier to respond precisely. To address your question: Malm furniture, especially the beds, often squeak due to the combination of engineered wood products (mostly particleboard) and the relatively simple assembly system.
The squeaking usually occurs at contact points between moving parts, such as where screws or dowels are not completely tight or where the wood panels shift slightly under load. Engineered wood also reacts to moisture and temperature, causing minimal expansion that can produce noise.
One way to reduce squeaking is to regularly tighten all screws and connections and, if necessary, apply a small amount of wax or silicone spray between the contact surfaces. Inserting small felt or rubber strips in specific areas can also help reduce friction and thus minimize squeaking.
If you like, I can send you a brief guide on the typical points to check on a Malm bed.
I hope this helps you for now! 🙂
A
Alberto5127 Jan 2021 19:29Hello everyone,
I would like to add that I also find the squeaking of Malm furniture somewhat annoying and emotionally stressful. Especially at night, these noises can sometimes wake you up, which reduces the quality of living.
What I have personally done: I consistently try to install washers or small rubber pads at the connection points to minimize stress. This helps somewhat, but I have not yet found a perfect solution.
I am curious whether manufacturers have made any improvements in recent years, or if this is simply a common issue with budget furniture? Perhaps someone here has insider knowledge 🙂
I would like to add that I also find the squeaking of Malm furniture somewhat annoying and emotionally stressful. Especially at night, these noises can sometimes wake you up, which reduces the quality of living.
Tevin schrieb:This explanation sounds plausible to me as well, since I often feel that there are small "movements" between parts that should actually be firmly mounted.
The squeaking usually occurs at the contact points between moving parts...
What I have personally done: I consistently try to install washers or small rubber pads at the connection points to minimize stress. This helps somewhat, but I have not yet found a perfect solution.
I am curious whether manufacturers have made any improvements in recent years, or if this is simply a common issue with budget furniture? Perhaps someone here has insider knowledge 🙂
To take a more critical look at the whole matter:
I believe the squeaking issue with Malm furniture is not just a matter of material suitability but is fundamentally linked to cost optimization and the basic design approach of this furniture line. They are deliberately designed for low production costs, which results in affordable furniture but involves compromises in durability and joint quality.
The material used—mainly particleboard with a melamine resin coating—does not have the same stabilizing properties as solid wood. In combination with cheap fittings and connectors, this increases the likelihood of micro-movements. These micro-movements manifest themselves as creaking or squeaking sounds.
This approach is correct but, in my opinion, serves only as a temporary solution rather than a permanent fix. When components are subjected to prolonged stress, screws and dowels settle depending on their load and installation, making retightening necessary under renewed stress.
My question to everyone: From your point of view, how much play is acceptable in this type of furniture, and at what point should it possibly be replaced to avoid constant quick fixes and achieve more lasting stability? I think a constructive discussion about such limits would be very valuable here.
Alberto51 schrieb:
I’m curious whether manufacturers have changed anything in recent years, or if this is simply a general problem with inexpensive furniture?
I believe the squeaking issue with Malm furniture is not just a matter of material suitability but is fundamentally linked to cost optimization and the basic design approach of this furniture line. They are deliberately designed for low production costs, which results in affordable furniture but involves compromises in durability and joint quality.
The material used—mainly particleboard with a melamine resin coating—does not have the same stabilizing properties as solid wood. In combination with cheap fittings and connectors, this increases the likelihood of micro-movements. These micro-movements manifest themselves as creaking or squeaking sounds.
Tevin schrieb:
One way to reduce squeaking would be to regularly tighten all screws and joints...
This approach is correct but, in my opinion, serves only as a temporary solution rather than a permanent fix. When components are subjected to prolonged stress, screws and dowels settle depending on their load and installation, making retightening necessary under renewed stress.
My question to everyone: From your point of view, how much play is acceptable in this type of furniture, and at what point should it possibly be replaced to avoid constant quick fixes and achieve more lasting stability? I think a constructive discussion about such limits would be very valuable here.
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