Many businesses have a need for high-capacity bedding. Whether you’re providing sleeping arrangements for students in dorms, visitors to sleep-away camps, travelers staying at a hostel, people in need of public shelter, or on-call authorities like police and firemen, just for example, bunk beds could provide the best option for housing a lot of people in one place.
Before you purchase and install metal bunk beds, however, it can’t hurt to consider the pros and cons of bunk beds for your operation. Why are they superior to other bedding options? What is it about metal bunk beds, in particular, that makes them a great choice for commercial operations? What potential drawbacks do you need to be aware of? Here are a few bunk beds pros and cons to help you make an informed decision about your purchase.
PROS
Maximize Your Space
In terms of the pros and cons of bunk beds, the most obvious benefit is that you can make much better use of your space when you opt for tiered bedding because you can take advantage of vertical, as well as horizontal space. Depending on how tall your ceilings are, you could install double or even triple tiered bunks for the opportunity to increase occupancy.
Safe, Comfortable Bedding
Traditional bunk beds can be uncomfortable and even rickety, but you won’t have this problem when you purchase heavy-duty metal bunk beds. Built with safety compliance in mind, you’ll find bunk beds offering industrial strength metal mesh panels atop supportive box section cross members that can bear up to 500 pounds per bunk.
This also ensure a comfortable night of rest, especially when paired with a hypoallergenic, waterproof foam mattresses. Don’t forget, metal bunk beds are themselves resistant to moisture and pests, so you won’t have to worry about common problems like bed bugs in your facility.
Affordable and Easy to Assemble
Pricing could fall under both the pros and cons of bunk beds, depending on which products you choose, but when it comes to metal bunk beds, you’re sure to be surprised by how affordable they are. You’ll certainly save compared to buying the same number of sleeping berths in single beds, and heavy-duty metal bunk beds tend to be less expensive and longer lasting than other materials, such as wood.
The right bunk beds are also easy to assemble. Some can be put together in as little as about twenty minutes. In addition, you’ll want to look for structural warranties that ensure you’re getting the strongest and most durable products so you can get your money’s worth.
CONS
May Not Be Suitable for Young Children
Unless you’re running a facility that shelters families with small children or you’re managing a camp for youngsters, you won’t have to worry about this potential issue. However, if you are concerned about the relative suitability of your bedding for little ones, simply look into options not only for metal bunk beds, but also for industrial-strength metal single beds.
Industrial Aesthetic
When it comes to bunk beds pros and cons, style can fall on the latter end of the spectrum. The strength, durability, and versatility of industrial grade products is ideal for businesses that house a revolving door of guests, but residential customers might want something with a little more style and personality, such as wood frames. These aren’t very practical, but they can be more aesthetically pleasing in certain settings.
Bunk Beds are Hard to Make
When considering bunk beds pros and cons, you’ve no doubt wondered about the relative ease of making bunk beds. How is it done, exactly? Do you have to balance on the ladder to make the top bunk, struggle to tuck in sheets while you perch atop the mattress, or simply pull the mattress down each day to make it before trying to boost it back up top?
It’s a conundrum, to be sure, and it could stop you from enjoying the other benefits of metal bunk beds in your facility. However, there is some good news. Products like the ESS Wonder Tray allow you to slide out upper mattresses for easy access so you can make them up quickly and easily each morning. While typical bunk beds may be a hassle to make, the right peripheral products can increase utility and convenience when you purchase heavy-duty metal bunk beds. For more information, see Putting Sheets on a Bunk Bed Just Got Easier with ESS’ “Wonder Tray”.
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.
