loft bed weight limit?

Submitted by dee on Wed, 01/05/2011 - 18:33

I'm planning to build one of the loft beds for my 3.5-yr-old son, and I'm wondering about how much weight these beds can safely support.  I know it would be safe for the little guy, but what about an adult or him plus some friends?  I am not a tiny lady, and I know that some of the commercially available loft beds have fairly low limits - I'm imagining the whole thing falling down under me!  Is there a way to calculate how much weight a plan will support?  Suggestions for modifications that would increase strength if necessary?

Forums

selah

Mon, 01/10/2011 - 15:03

From what I have seen researching these beds, I think this bed would hold up to 250 lbs safely. I have been checking out different types of these beds since my 12 almost 13 year old wants one but I didn't want to make a bed that only went to 150 lbs when he is 110 now. The wood ones have a much higher weight limit than the metal. HTH

 

Christine

dee

Tue, 01/11/2011 - 19:40

Thank you, that's very helpful info!

darlintxmomma

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 04:31

We just built a full sized loft bed for my son using 2x4's for the legs (2 on each cornet yo make them 4x4) and 2x8's for the bed frame.
We made the outer 2x4 leg go all the way up to the full height of the bed and the inner leg is cut at the height that the base of the bed frame starts and it sits on top of that inner 2x4 so its stacked (if that makes sense). We basically used the stacking concept that Ana used to build the ladder for the loft bed because if there is wood beneath the actual bed frame holding it up off the floor, it will bear a lot more weight than jsut screwing the bed frame into the sides of the legs. Of course like I said, this bed is a full so its HUGE but so far it has not even slightly swayed with me (135 lbs) DH (205 lbs) and DS (55lbs) on it at the same time. And while I'm thinking about it, the lower 2x8s that go around the mattress have a 2x4 screwed into the entire perimeter to use to hold up the plywood mattress base we are using and they are a bit longer to also stack on the short 2x4 that is used on each leg post to bear the weight. Then there are 2-2x4's as cross beams to support the middle and 2x4's on each corner crossing the angles for added support.
I have probably just thoroughly confused you and if so I'm sorry. I'll try to take pictures to show you what I'm talking about but from the feel of how sturdy the bed feels, I wouldnt' be surprised if it would hold an elephant. =)

selah

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 08:24

My husband thanks you for those pics lol.

kmddma

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 09:24

The beds I made my boys is really sturdy.  It doesn't even move when I get on it.  My oldest is 16 almost 17 and weighs between 140 and 150, no problems! I hang on the bed and the boys hang on the beds, no problems.  I, however, used 2 - 2x4s @ a 90 angle for the legs.  I put pocket holes to hold them together.  I actually used pocket holes for 95% of the job.  The only part I didn't was where I joined bottom rails to the bed.  I really don't think you have anything to worry about.

dee

Thu, 01/13/2011 - 07:58

Thank you, sugahtate and kmddma!  This is very reassuring. I've never even had a commerical loft bed, so I'm a little paranoid :)  Sugahtate, your description totally makes sense and I appreciate the photos.  We are also looking to do it for a full, so it's good to hear that yours worked well and holds some weight with no problems.  My son is so excited about the prospect of having one, now we just have to get to building!