Helpful Information On Buying Wrought Iron Beds from Carolina

Fine hand-crafted iron and wood furniture direct from American manufacturers. Specializing in iron beds, bakers racks, bar stools, and dining tables, our collection features furnishings and accents for indoors and out. Our Customer Service professionals can help you achieve the graceful look of iron and wood furniture arranged together in your home.

 

We know there are many considerations you may have when buying your iron bed "sight unseen". We have tried to address those concerns in this section, but please remember you can always call us at 800-205-7819 to talk to one of our experts. Please click here to be taken directly to our comprehensive page on shipping.

 

Frame Dimensions for our Iron Beds:
We represent the finest U.S.iron bed manufacturers, like Wesley Allen, and Stone County Ironworks. Each of them conforms to the current U.S. standard for the common sizes available. The following chart details those dimensions. Please note that bed height may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Also, there may be some very slight variance in bed frame sizes due to their hand-crafted nature. However, both mattresses and iron bed frames are built to have some degree of flexibility in order to fit together. Here is a chart of the current U.S. standards for bed frames:

 

Buying a "headboard only"
Please note these are dimensions for complete frames, those that have a headboard, footboard, and corresponding frame. For customers buying "headboard only" iron beds, the frame width will be the same but the iron frame will only extend partway down the length of the mattress. This is to prevent you from banging your shins against the ends of the rails (very painful in the middle of the night). We refer to this style of frame as a "3/4 frame", referring to how far down it extends.

 

Some of our suppliers, such as Stone County Ironworks, sell their "headboard only" designs with the 3/4 frame included in the price. Other manufacturers, like AICO, and Wesley Allen, do not sell the bed frame with the headboard. Therefore, if you want a frame with your headboard (assuming you do not already have one) you can purchase this separately by following the "related items" links at the bottom of the product page for those particular manufacturers.

 

Some General Notes on Bed Sizes
With regards to the length of the frame, all manufacturers leave several inches to spare beyond the mattress and box-spring to allow room for bedding. This is an intentional design and does not mean the iron frame is too long. Bedding and linens can take up several inches beyond the head and foot of the mattress, especially heavier styles with lots of filling. Therefore, extra room is given to allow the bedding to flow over the ends unencumbered.

 

Please also note that some beds are sold as "Universal King" and some are sold specifically as "Eastern King" and "California King". A Universal King headboard and/or footboard is used with both Eastern King Frames and California King Frames. This means that if you purchase a California King Frame on Universal King headboard/footboard, there will be an extra two inches of frame on each side of the rail. Our experience is that this difference is hardly noticeable, especially when bedding has been added. However, if you think this may bother you, and you are ordering a California King bed, please check with Customer Service to determine whether a Universal King headboard/footboard is used with that particular size.

 

Assembly of your Iron Bed
Your bed will be shipped in two to three boxes (if you ordered a complete iron bed): headboard, footboard, and rail system. Our beds are shipped with full assembly instructions. The instructions are enclosed, with hardware, in the rail system box. However, here are some helpful hints for assembly (assembly does not require two people, but it is easier).

 

You will need a sharp razor to open the two boxes, and two of any of the following: Adjustable wrench, socket wrench, vice grips, or pliers.

Assembly of Wesley Allen Iron Beds:
Wesley Allen's "Millennium Frame System" uses high-gauge steel to ensure durability, strength, and maximum support for the mattress and box-spring. Three cross rails with welded "V" brackets create five additional points of contact for each bed. Side rails are engineered specifically to add greater strength in the corners, where bed stress is most likely. The rail system is shipped in a foam pack carton to arrive entirely undamaged.

 

• Each complete bed comes with a headboard, footboard, two side rails, three supporting cross rails (Queen and King Size only) , and hardware.
• Assemble the bed in an uncluttered space. Lay out the parts of the bed beforehand, in an approximate position of where they are actually going to be.
• Attach each side rail to the headboard. This will stabilize the headboard and allow you to work on the cross-rails (if provided, for the larger sizes). Each cross-rail bolts beneath the side rail. Tighten them, but not too tight, as there will still be some "play" in the rails.
• Attach the footboard to the ends of the side rails. You may now tighten all of the bolts to eliminate any looseness. Be careful not to over-tighten, however.
• The box spring will fit snugly inside the frame, and when you lay the mattress on the box spring, you should have several inches between the headboard or footboard and mattress. This is to allow for plenty of blankets and linens to fit inside the frame.

 

Assembly of Stone County Ironworks Iron Beds:

• Each complete bed comes with a headboard, footboard, two side rails, three supporting cross rails (Queen and King Size only) , and hardware.
• Assemble the bed in an uncluttered space. Lay out the parts of the bed beforehand, in an approximate position of where they are actually going to be. The diagram below shows the rail system fully assembled.
• Attach each side rail to the headboard. This will stabilize the headboard and allow you to work on the crossrails (if provided, for the larger sizes). Each crossrail bolts beneath the side rail. Tighten them, but not too tight, as there will still be some "play" in the rails.
• Attach the footboard to the ends of the side rails. You may now tighten all of the bolts to eliminate any looseness. Be careful not to overtighten, however.
• The box spring will fit snugly inside the frame, and when you lay the mattress on the box spring, you should have several inches between the headboard or footboard and mattress. This is to allow for plenty of blankets and linens to fit inside the frame.

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