Bunk bed question

[stharding1836]

That bunk/trundle combination bed is really pretty COOL , and a great utilization of space … ( did you weigh it with mattresses … ? ) I’d like something like that for my house …

I was going to do the bunk bed/ trundle combo, but I've decided to go away from that specific bunk bed because it's pretty heavy, and I didn't fully think it through when I built it. When I built it I left quite a bit of space between the bed and the wall so I would be able to apply some sort of skin on the inside, which isn't a bad idea, but after I built my dinette I decided to go a different direction. Both the dinette and bunk bed will be skinned with 1/4" plywood where I will then glue the foam to the plywood giving my walls a little more strength. This also keeps me from having to try and apply PMF between the wall and furniture. I went away from the trundle bed because I used 2x2 construction on the new bed instead of 2x4 and 2x6 to decrease the weight, so I wanted to put as much support as possible under that bottom bunk. My third kid will just have to sleep on the floor. I'm sorry I don't currently have photos of the new bunk, but I'm going to do some more work on it this weekend and I'll upload some new pics.

[GPW]

“ My third kid will just have to sleep on the floor. “ … ST, just saying , when we were kids we always had to sleep Outside in a surplus BS (Boy Scout) Pup tent … Where we first learned about Camping …

[Aguyfromohio]

when we were kids we always had to sleep Outside in a surplus BS (Boy Scout) Pup tent … Where we first learned about Camping …

Me too! I can still smell the mildewed canvas.....

[stharding1836]

“ My third kid will just have to sleep on the floor. “ … ST, just saying , when we were kids we always had to sleep Outside in a surplus BS (Boy Scout) Pup tent … Where we first learned about Camping …

We were the same way. I didn't sleep in a camper until I was about 12, and it was a pop up. I actually preferred sleeping in my covered hammock than sharing a bed in the camper with my brother.

[GPW]

Yeah , it was Great NOT to be with the adults ...

[stharding1836]

Got some work done on the new bunk bed.

[KCStudly]

That looks to be a fair bit lighter.

[stharding1836]

That looks to be a fair bit lighter.

It really is, I can pick it up by myself.

[GPW]

NICE !!! Looks simpler too …

[stharding1836]

NICE !!! Looks simpler too …

Thanks, it really was.

[GPW]

Curious how the second time is always better … I always do that …”we do it Right, we do it Twice " !!!
As a kid I slept on a hollow core interior door , with legs attached to it, my Dad was “Thrifty" ! … The reality was it was nothing more than two thick veneers with a cardboard core (cheap) , and I was rather a Large kid , and it worked till I moved away … I think sometimes we “overbuild” as a “good thing” , but it’s really just a HEAVY thing … ( there goes the mpg … )

Old beds were just a few wooden slats sitting on an outer frame with heavy box spring and mattress on top of that … Plus people bouncing around on the top … scary how lightweight that really is … yet it works … and has been accepted for many years … I really liked the first Bunk as it looked so secure … Hope you put it to good use ...

[GPW]

… and just a thought …. two thin pieces of plywood with 2" of Foam in between would be as light as a hollow core Door , and Much Stronger !!!

[ghcoe]

Seems I am a bit late here, but though I would post this up for future reference.

My idea on bunk support is this. Since foam has a lot of compression strength you could stack the foam against the wall in the bunk area as pictured. Then you can lay your bunk frame on top of the foam edge created by stacking. If you are working with limited width it won't work, but if you have plenty of width then this should work.

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Also, to save weight on the lower bunk you can install foam supports and just add a piece of OSB/plywood to the top, unless you want that extra long storage space. You could make convenient pockets for storage of clothing or other things. A couple of ideas. George.

Bed Supports shown.png (6.13 KiB) Viewed 1669 times