Wood or metal? That is the question. In a bedroom-inspired Shakespearean quandary, many people looking for space-saving solutions want to know if metal bunk beds are better than wood. As with most home solutions, the answer depends a great deal on individual needs and tastes. Wood and metal both offer their own advantages and options related to layout, storage, and construction. Before making a final decision, be sure to learn the details of each material and how it applies to your living scenario.
Wood is Good
There’s no denying that real wood offers a warm, attractive look, and when expertly crafted provides an enduring, stable platform for bunk beds. Composite wood options expand the possibilities in regard to color and finish, and wood bunk beds are available in virtually any style and configuration.
Metal is Better
While the ultimate choice is personal preference, are metal bunk beds better than wood? If you are looking for sleeping solutions for a commercial setting such as a group camp, homeless shelter, emergency situation, or dorms; metal is almost always the go-to, for a variety of reasons.
The Convenience Factor
Metal bunk beds are made from steel tubes and cross members that are lightweight, easy to assemble and move if necessary, and some are detachable. A seasonal group camp, for example, may need to move and store their entire inventory of beds for winter. Wood is much heavier and a chore to move, while metal bunk bed frames are hollow and much lighter. The lower profile of metal framing also takes up less overall space and is easily stored when disassembled.
Lasting Durability
Wood looks great at the outset but the attractive patina tends to wear off over time, and wood is susceptible to water damage and splitting. If used in camp or hostel setting, termites and mice are often a potential threat, and it is almost inevitable that a guest or three will carve their initials into a wood surface. Carving into metal is unlikely to happen, and metal bunk beds are finished with an extremely durable material that is resistant to scratching and impact damage. Humid indoor environments or a flooded floor are also no match for metal beds.
Bugs be Gone
One common concern with commercial sleeping scenarios is the potential for bed bugs. The last thing you want to see is a host of bed bugs taking up residence in your facility and an event like that can spell disaster for your business and pose a serious health risk to residents or guests. The sturdy material and construction used in metal bunk beds eliminates this risk. Tubing and joints are sealed shut with precise welds that keep bugs from skittering in and hiding out or nesting and once bed bugs establish a nest, you have a very big problem that is equally difficult to resolve.
ESS Universal manufactures and supplies high-quality, cost-effective commercial grade beds, mattresses, and furniture to camps, hostels, shelters, dorms and more. View our entire line of furniture products including our popular waterproof foam mattress for institutional use, single metal bed frames, single over single bunk beds, single over double bunk beds, and triple bunk beds. Download our catalog for detailed information on our complete product line.
