While loft beds can be a fantastic method of utilizing space, they can also become dangerous when they start to shake.
A shaky loft bed is particularly alarming, especially if you’re sleeping on the loft bed every night.
That leads to the question, how do I stop my loft bed from shaking?
Loft beds aren’t supposed to shake, and if it is, you will have to do some maintenance on it.
Tightening loose screws and bolts can help provide stability to the bed. Additionally, ensuring that the weight limit is not being exceeded, that the loft is properly constructed, and installing bars for extra support will all help you feel more secure sleeping in y our loft bed.
It can be a safety hazard if you don’t fix your loft bed, and you should immediately stop using it if it does shake.
Despite the shaking, the bed is easy to fix with a few steps. Below, we’ll assist you in preventing the bed from shaking.
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Is It Normal for a Loft Bed to Shake?
A loft bed is designed to hold a lot of weight and be stable while sleeping. It should not shake at all unless you are moving around a lot.
A shaking loft bed most often means something wrong with the construction.
If you notice that the loft bed is shaking when you’re barely making any movement, then you should quickly assess the issue.
The sooner you do, the better, as leaving it unfixed can be hazardous to anyone who is using it.
How to a Stop Loft Bed from Shaking
The last thing you want to do is lie down on a loft bed as it shakes you to sleep. The unstable supports can actually collapse, and not many people would enjoy that happening in the middle of the night.
So, to prevent that, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your bed is safe.
Tightening Loose Screws & Bolts
The number one cause of a shaking bed is loose screws and bolts. This is a natural occurrence because the bed is elevated and has constant pressure.
You get up the ladder, move around in bed, and use the supports below as a work or play area. So, over time, the screws and bolts can shift a little bit.
To fix loose screws and bolts, do the following:
Get a toolkit with a screwdriver that matches the screws head on your loft bed.
Locate the screws on the loft bed and tighten them using the screwdriver.
Screw the screws in so that there isn’t any movement when you shake the loft bed.
Locate the bolts and make sure that they are also tightened correctly.
Head up to the top of the loft and sit down and shake around. If there is any movement, then you may need another method.
Double-checking Construction
Often, we can miss a few steps while we’re building furniture. With some pieces of furniture taking over 30 steps to build, we’re bound to make a mistake or screw something in wrong.
If you’ve just got the loft bed and notice shaking, this is likely the cause.
Go through each step carefully and see if any part is missing. If there is, you’ll need to unbuild the loft bed and reassemble it.
If you have to do this, we highly recommend getting help, as it can be dangerous to do it alone.
Installing a Brace or Rail
If you’ve already tried tightening the bolts and there is still shaking, you may need to add extra support to create a stable base.
A loft bed’s frame can be hollow or filled. The hollow frames tend to be more prone to shaking because there is less structure.
So, installing bracing or rails can help provide extra stability.
When installing a rail, you will need to use metal or solid wood. Since you’re sleeping in the bed, make sure that you use rails with rounded edges.
Use bracing in the middle and bottom of the vertical poles when installing. Once you do, the shaking should be less noticeable.
Sticking to Weight Limit
Another cause of shaking could be that the loft bed is at its weight limit. On average, most loft beds can only hold up to 220 lbs.
If there is more weight on the bed than your model’s weight limit, it will shake. Removing extra weight from the bed can help, but if you can’t remove anything, you will need to swap for a model with a higher weight limit.
Installing Feet & Non-slip Grips
The last area a loft bed may shake is on the bottom due to not having good traction. If on solid floorings such as wood or tile, the bunk may slip on the hard surface.
On carpet, the ground may be unstable, which can also cause shaking due to the feet of the loft bed not even touching the ground.
In either of these cases, the best solution is to install feet or non-slip grips. You can use non-slip padding for hardwood floors and add it to the bottom of the loft bed’s posts.
On carpet, you can install feet that can help elevate and even out the loft.
Frequently Asked Questions: Shaking Loft Beds
Why is my loft bed shaking?
The leading cause of a loft bed shaking is the bolts and screws coming loose. This can happen over time, and it’s best to routinely tighten them to help provide stability.
If the loft bed’s bolts and screws aren’t tightened, then the bed can actually collapse, which is very dangerous.
Can loft beds collapse?
Loft beds can collapse due to a few reasons. First, if the bed has not been assembled correctly, the bed can collapse.
Another reason is that the bolts and screws have become loose and unstable. Lastly, it can collapse if too much weight is put onto it, as all loft beds have a weight limit.
How much weight can a loft bed hold?
The standard loft bed can hold between 220 lbs. to 250 lbs. Of course, this amount varies depending on the frame materials and the construction.
Before purchasing a loft bed, always check the weight limits and ensure that the bed will work for you.
Are loft beds safe?
Loft beds are essentially safe as long as you do routine maintenance to ensure that the bed is stable.
This includes tightening loose screws and bolts, paying attention to weight limits, and making sure it’s built correctly.
Loft beds are used in many dorms, military, fraternities, sororities, and children’s rooms.
Conclusion
If you do what we’ve stated, you can easily solve the problem of a loft bed shaking. However, if the shaking persists, it may be time to trade in for a new one.
After a certain amount of time, the construction on loft beds wears down, and there is little you can do to fix it.
That being said, you can also extend the lifespan of your loft bed by performing maintenance and repairing it as problems occur.
Tightening the screws and bolts should be done every few months to help regain stability and prevent damage.
Hopefully, we’ve helped you understand a bit more about how to prevent your loft bed from shaking.
