--- title: "Metal Beds UK: Frames, Sizes & What to Check | BedGuide" description: "Metal beds and metal bed frames explained: styles, UK sizes in cm, slats, centre legs, squeaks and what to check before you buy from a UK seller." url: "https://bedguide.co.uk/beds/metal-beds/" --- Bed types # Metal beds Metal beds are bed frames made from steel tubing, iron or brass, with slats or a metal grid holding the mattress. They come in every UK size, from Single 90 × 190 cm to Super King 180 × 200 cm. Check the outer size, the slat gap, the centre legs and the load limit before you buy. **Verified UK sellers** 4 **Makers and factories** 2 **UK sizes** 75–180 cm wide Also called: metal bed frames, metal bed frame, iron beds, brass beds, steel bed frames, black metal beds. ## Where to buy metal beds and compare prices ## What are metal beds? A metal bed is a frame with metal side rails, a metal headboard and often a metal footboard. Most are steel tube with a painted or powder-coated finish. Powder coating is a tough paint that is baked on. Metal beds are popular in guest rooms, children’s rooms and small flats. The thin frame keeps the room feeling open. The mattress does not lie on the metal tubes. It lies on slats or a mesh deck that spans the frame. Many metal frames use wooden slats, so the support can feel much like a wooden bed. Metal is a material, not a firmness level. Two frames that look alike can have very different joints, centre supports and weight limits. Read the full specification, not just the photo. ## What types of metal beds are there? ### Classic tube frames Round or square steel tubes with simple bars in the headboard. They are light, often flat-packed and easy to move. ### Victorian-style and ornate frames Curved bars, scrolls and finials (decorative knobs on the posts). They suit period homes. Finials can add height and length, so measure them. ### Brass and brass-effect beds Solid brass is heavy. Brass-effect frames use a brass-coloured coating on steel. Ask which you are looking at. ### Industrial and modern frames Square sections, matt black or grey finishes and low headboards. Some include a shelf or a fabric headboard panel. ### Four-poster and canopy frames Tall corner posts with a top frame for drapes. Check your ceiling height and the full height of the posts. ### Metal bunk beds and day beds Metal is common in bunks and day beds because it is strong in thin sections. The same safety and mattress-depth rules apply as for any bunk. ## What are the pros and cons of metal beds? ### Good points - Thin rails take up less visual space, so a small room can feel lighter. - Steel frames are usually light enough to carry upstairs in parts. - Open frames leave space underneath for storage boxes. - A coated metal frame is easy to wipe clean. - Many styles, from ornate Victorian looks to plain modern frames. ### Things to weigh up - A loose joint can creak or rattle. Bolts need checking now and then. - Metal feels cold to touch and can chip if knocked hard. - Ornate headboards are hard to dust and can be uncomfortable to lean on. - Low-cost frames may have fewer centre legs, so check the support for wider sizes. ## What sizes do metal beds come in? Metal beds are made in the standard UK sizes: Small Single 75 × 190 cm, Single 90 × 190 cm, Small Double 120 × 190 cm, Double 135 × 190 cm, King 150 × 200 cm and Super King 180 × 200 cm. The size name describes the mattress space, not the frame. Posts, finials and curved rails add centimetres to the outside. Ask for the external width and length. Some imported frames are made for EU mattresses, such as 140 × 200 cm or 160 × 200 cm. A UK mattress will leave gaps in them. Read the centimetres on the listing. | UK size | Mattress size | Shop name | | --- | --- | --- | | Small Single | 75 × 190 cm | 2ft 6 | | Single | 90 × 190 cm | 3ft | | Small Double | 120 × 190 cm | 4ft | | Double | 135 × 190 cm | 4ft 6 | | King | 150 × 200 cm | 5ft | | Super King | 180 × 200 cm | 6ft | | Emperor (common) | 200 × 200 cm | 6 ft 6 | Frames and headboards can be bigger than the mattress. Ask for the outer size in centimetres. ## What should you check before buying metal beds? - Outer size: get the full external width, length and headboard height in centimetres. - Mattress space: check it matches your UK mattress size exactly. - Slat gap: measure the gap between slats and compare it with your mattress maker’s rule. - Centre support: Double size and wider should have a centre rail with legs that reach the floor. - Load limit: ask what weight the frame is rated for and whether that includes the mattress. - Joints: welded joints, bolts and plastic sleeves all behave differently. Ask how the frame fits together. - Under-bed height: measure the clear gap if you want storage boxes underneath. - Finish: ask whether it is powder-coated, painted or plated, and how to clean it. ## Will metal beds fit your room? A low footboard, or no footboard, makes a small room feel longer. A tall headboard can frame a window wall nicely, but check it clears the sill. Metal frames suit small and medium rooms because the thin rails look light. Plan for the external size, not the mattress size. Leave about 50–60 cm to walk beside the bed if you can. Check that the footboard does not block a door or wardrobe. If the bed goes against a wall, fit the supplied buffers so the headboard does not knock or scratch it. Plan it with the [bed room planner](/tools/bed-room-planner/). ## Delivery and assembly Most metal beds arrive flat-packed in long boxes. Measure stairs and turns for the longest box, usually a side rail. Assembly normally needs two people and an Allen key or spanner. Keep every bolt in a labelled bag. Tighten bolts again after the first week, when the frame has settled. Then check them every few months. Check your doors, stairs and turns with the [delivery fit checker](/tools/delivery-fit-checker/). ## How do you look after metal beds? Damp rooms can make bare steel rust. Keep the frame dry and fix any condensation problem in the room. Follow the care label for the finish. Most coated frames only need a dry or slightly damp cloth. Touch up chips quickly with the maker’s recommended paint, so rust does not start. If the bed squeaks, find the joint first. Tighten it, or fit the washers or sleeves the maker supplies. ## UK companies that sell metal beds (A–Z) Metal beds are sold by these 4 verified UK companies. Each is active on Companies House and has a checked official website. Range topics come from each checked profile; they are examples, not a full stock list. The list is in A–Z order and payment never changes it. ### Factories and manufacturers (2) - [Balmoral Furniture](/companies/balmoral-furniture/) Manufacturer · Dunmurry [Website ↗](https://balmoralhomefurniture.co.uk/) - [Laybrook](/companies/laybrook/) Manufacturer · Bicester [Website ↗](https://www.laybrook.com/) ### Retailers and online brands (2) - [Bed Guru](/companies/bed-guru/) Retailer · Otley [Website ↗](https://www.bedguru.co.uk/) - [Crazy Price Beds](/companies/crazy-price-beds/) Retailer · Castleford [Website ↗](https://crazypricebeds.com/) Missing a UK company? [Suggest a free listing](/method/get-listed/). Make or sell metal beds? [Sell on BedGuide](/sell-on-bedguide/). ## Frequently asked questions ### Are metal beds strong? They can be. Strength depends on the tube thickness, the joints and the centre supports, not on the word “metal”. Ask for the load limit for the exact size you are buying. ### Do metal beds squeak? They can squeak if a joint is loose or two parts rub. Tighten the bolts, check every foot touches the floor and fit any supplied sleeves or washers. A cracked weld needs a repair part, not more tightening. ### Do metal bed frames need a centre support? Most Double, King and Super King frames need a centre rail with legs to the floor. Without it the slats can bow. Check the support is included and fitted. ### Are metal beds or wooden beds better? Neither is better in every case. The support under the mattress, the joints and the size matter more than the material. Choose the look you like, then compare the specification. ### What mattress goes on a metal bed frame? Most standard mattresses work if the size matches and the slat gap meets the mattress maker’s rule. Check the mattress warranty conditions for slatted bases. ### Can you put a metal bed frame on carpet? Yes. Feet may sink into deep carpet, so check that every foot, including the centre legs, still carries weight. Floor protectors help stop scratches on wooden or tiled floors. ### Can I use a metal bed frame with a divan base? Usually not. A divan base is a complete bed base on its own. A metal frame is designed to hold a mattress on its slats. Use one or the other unless the maker says they work together. ### How long do metal beds last? A well-made frame can last many years with care. Keep the bolts tight, stop rust early and replace damaged slats or fittings with the maker’s parts. ### Where can I buy metal beds in the UK? BedGuide lists 4 verified UK companies that sell metal beds, including 2 factories and manufacturers. Each is active on Companies House and has a checked website. Compare prices on each seller’s own page. ## Read before you buy - [Wooden vs Metal Bed Frames: UK Guide →](/beds/wooden-vs-metal-bed-frames/) - [Bed Slats: Solid vs Sprung and Gap Rules →](/beds/slatted-bases/) - [How to Assemble a Slatted Bed Frame →](/beds/assemble-a-slatted-bed-frame/) - [Mattress and Base Compatibility →](/care/mattress-base-compatibility/) - [Bed Footprint, Frames and Delivery Access →](/sizing/bed-footprint-and-access/) ## Compare other types - [Wooden beds](/beds/wooden-beds/) - [Upholstered beds](/beds/upholstered-beds/) - [Kids beds](/beds/kids-beds/) - [Bunk beds](/beds/bunk-beds/) - [Pocket sprung mattresses](/mattresses/pocket-sprung-mattresses/) [All bed and mattress types](/where-to-buy/) · [UK bed directory](/companies/) · [How we make money](/how-we-make-money/) Last updated 2026-10-21. --- Source: https://bedguide.co.uk/beds/metal-beds/ · BedGuide — independent UK bed guide; paid links are labelled (see /how-we-make-money/). 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