This is a strong and durable bed. As an adult I am very comfortable that the bed will hold me as I sleep on the top. The directions were not always the most clear and I took apart and re-put together a few pieces, but no it is together and I love it.
The directions could be much better. Many of the reviews refer to a very common mistake. Let me boil it down so you don't make the same mistake that everyone else did.
1) Don't install the cross bars until the frame is fully assembled. This will make fixing issues (which point 2 will help you avoid) much easier.
2) Important: The top of the ladder attaches to the upper frame via a bolt. The frame has a small threaded hole to accept that bolt. The hole MUST be on the bottom side of the upper frame. If the hole is on the top, you messed up and the ladder won't connect correctly.
just set up the bunk yesterday with a buddy and we were able to assemble it in about 2.5 hrs with no problems while following some of the advise mentioned in previous reviews (focusing on the cross bar 'H'). The bunk is pretty solid but it does wiggle with heavy movements side to side, but feels perfectly sturdy and safe. I imagine any metal framed bunk bed wiggles. I am 5'8" and the bottom bunk has perfect amount of head-space. I can sit up straight and not worry about my head hitting the top bunk. overall, pretty happy with the bunk. on a side note: getting the slats into each cross bar was a little difficult but unscrewing one side's cross bar allowed me to fit each slat into its place and then was able to rescrew it back easily. secondly, we decided to not place the gray plastic squares into each placement above every slat because it was incredibly difficult to put them each in (and there were like 100's of them) and putting them in is unnecessary (the plastic locks in between each slat does the job fine, and additionally, the mattress on top of the slats). finally, my 6'1" roommate sleeps fine on the top bunk
The whole unit is very sturdy. It came in quite a few pieces, but was not too difficult to assemble. The only thing I would change if I were designing it, would be the rail on the end. There should be a gap in the rail where the ladder meets the loft level. That would be easier to climb into, instead of having to climb over the rail. Nice unit overall though!
After reading the reviews and taking notes on how to avoid the Step 3 Mistake, I carefully followed the otherwise clear instructions and got the bed put together curse-free in under 3 hours - I did have to enlist the help of my husband when it came to popping those blasted little plastic tabs into the crossbars, which he didn't have much trouble doing. He wondered if those who said they did have trouble were trying to push them straight in or one side at a time like he was. We also put the top crossbar/slats section together before attaching it to the frame, so maybe that made it easier. Anyway, the plastic tabs definitely make the slats feel nice and secure.
Here's the rundown: (items marked with * are reasons for the 4/5 star rating)
About the construction:
-Okay, first the packaging. Couldn't have been happier. Nothing was bent, scratched, or misshapen. The packing was nice and padded and tight. None of the metal pieces rubbed against other metal. While it might seem a little wasteful, each of the 44 metal slats was in its own individual plastic sleeve, so none of them were marred at all. I didn't think to check, but the sleeves felt like recycled plastic. I'm not sure if you know what I mean, but there you have it. Come to think of it, the cardboard for the "O" parts may have been recycled, too. Pretty sure the rest of the packaging wasn't, though.
-One of the holes in one of the end posts (A or D) must have been slightly off, as one of the assembled [head or foot] pieces (step 2) wasn't quite straight after I assembled it. This didn't make a difference after the bed was completely put together, though.
-*The ladder could be a little better constructed. The horizontal metal pieces that attach to the top bunk aren't exactly flush with the edge of the crossbar it attaches to. If you have the right dremel attachment, you can widen the screwhole a little bit and push the ladder inward as you tighten the bolts. Otherwise, you may have a tiny bit (like, a cm) of a sharpish edge sticking out at the top of the ladder, either from the rectangular horizontal piece or from the top of the hollow tube. (Kind of hard to explain.. sorry!) Not a huge deal, and pretty easily fixable. Also, if you change your mind about where to put the ladder, it's really easy to move.
-*The posts are definitely not as flush as the picture would have you believe. No surprise, of course. It would be nice, though, if there were some kind of sleeve that slipped over the tubes where they connect, kind of like a curtain rod..if that makes sense.
About the finished product:
-The extra little legs in the center of the bottom crossbars are nice and make the bed feel extra sturdy.
-The ladder might take some getting used to. While the design does make it more compact since you don't have a ladder sticking out diagonally and taking up 2 or 3 feet of extra space, it is a little trickier to climb up a perfectly vertical ladder, at least for a 7-year old. The inclination is to lean back as you climb, which would loosen the joints and eventually make the bed wobbly. I'm sure we'll get the hang of it, though.
-It really does seem sturdy. There is very little jostling on either bunk when someone gets on or off the other one, as tested by myself (115lb on top bunk) and my husband (170lb on bottom bunk). Just remember to check and tighten the bolts periodically.
-Another reviewer mentioned the height, saying it's taller than most bunks. This almost turned me away, as I was nervous enough having my rambunctious 7-year old boy on a top bunk. I was relieved to find that this isn't actually the case - it's the bottom bunk that is a bit lower than usual. As the other reviewer also mentioned, this gives you plenty of headroom on the bottom bunk, which is true. Unless you're freakishly tall, any adult could sit comfortably on the bottom bunk (which could be important for bedtime reading and storytime). The top bunk almost seems lower than normal..I'm 5'3" and I can almost see over it. :)
-I think someone mentioned the mattress size. We used two regular twin mattresses, and with bedding on them, they fit perfectly. A naked mattress would have space on the sides, but I think it's meant to allow for comforters and such. If you don't use fluffy bedding, you can always fill in the space with stuffed animals!
All in all, I'm happy with my purchase, and I'd recommend it to someone who is looking for a sturdy bunkbed and doesn't want to settle for the cheap one that goes by many names but gives itself away with the same photo everywhere you see it...here on or at the Big Stores. If you've been shopping around for bunkbeds, you know what I'm talking about.
The reviews for this bed were 100% accurate. It's an excellent buy for the money, and is strong and durable. It's also a pain in the butt to put together (but really, who cares in the grand scheme of things?). Since this bed was purchased for 20-something's, we didn't put on the side rails, so that is an option if you don't want them on, it's the last step.
If you're struggling with both space and quality, this is the item for you. I was not in a position to spend a $1000 on a bunk bed, and the bunk bed I bought before this one broke repeatedly. So, I really wanted a sturdy bed for my kids. The clearance between the bottom and the top is spacious, and therefore really opens up the room. It looks really good. It takes some back work to put this thing together, but once in a rhythm, you hardly notice it. At first the little plastic pieces that keep the bars that support the mattress in place were really frustrating, but once I got a few down in practice, no problem. I wish that the ladder was a little more accessible than it is considering the rails are so high on the top, but that is my only complaint. This bed does not make a sound and is as sturdy as a rock. I looked long and hard for a decent bunk bed, and I am very, very pleased. What you see is what you get in the finished product. This is a good, pleasing buy!
This bed is a good value and when put together is sturdy enough to handle my rambunctious boys, but it's a bugger to put together.
My only advice is to read every review posted with tips on assembly and set aside a minimum of two hours to assemble. You really need two people to put this together and BEFORE YOU ASSEMBLE ANYTHING make absolutely certain you have each of the support bars in the exact right place with aligned holes for the ladder. If you don't you'll either have to take the entire bed apart at the last step (which is nearly impossible and will set you back an hour) or drill holes into the frame to attach the ladder, which is a huge pain in the butt but easier than taking the bed apart.
One more tip, get a long metal bar to help put the plastic clips into place, they're almost impossible to install by hand and this step is very painful.
Reading previous reviews was very helpful on assembly. We bought two bunk bed sets - they took about 3 hours each to unpackage, set up and then clean up all the packing materials. They were well-packaged, with no damage and no missing parts. Assembly instructions were average. Beds are very sturdy, however we are skeptical about how much weight the ladder can truly support. Tip on assembling the infamous bed rail clips is to slip one side in by hand and then use a very narrow flat head screwdriver to push the other tab in - while pushing, it should just pop in and then down snug. Previous reviewer's tip on having the H bar with the seven holes down was invaluable. Also, when first assembling the end rails be sure to have the bed post screws facing up. Would purchase more if the need arose.
Purchased these for our second guest room. Took about 2.5 hours to put together but worth it considering the price and free shipping. Very sturdy, looks great. We are very pleased.
Reviews
Great bed for small spaces
This is a strong and durable bed. As an adult I am very comfortable that the bed will hold me as I sleep on the top. The directions were not always the most clear and I took apart and re-put together a few pieces, but no it is together and I love it.
Simple assembly advice
The directions could be much better. Many of the reviews refer to a very common mistake. Let me boil it down so you don't make the same mistake that everyone else did. 1) Don't install the cross bars until the frame is fully assembled. This will make fixing issues (which point 2 will help you avoid) much easier. 2) Important: The top of the ladder attaches to the upper frame via a bolt. The frame has a small threaded hole to accept that bolt. The hole MUST be on the bottom side of the upper frame. If the hole is on the top, you messed up and the ladder won't connect correctly.
well priced metal bunk
just set up the bunk yesterday with a buddy and we were able to assemble it in about 2.5 hrs with no problems while following some of the advise mentioned in previous reviews (focusing on the cross bar 'H'). The bunk is pretty solid but it does wiggle with heavy movements side to side, but feels perfectly sturdy and safe. I imagine any metal framed bunk bed wiggles. I am 5'8" and the bottom bunk has perfect amount of head-space. I can sit up straight and not worry about my head hitting the top bunk. overall, pretty happy with the bunk. on a side note: getting the slats into each cross bar was a little difficult but unscrewing one side's cross bar allowed me to fit each slat into its place and then was able to rescrew it back easily. secondly, we decided to not place the gray plastic squares into each placement above every slat because it was incredibly difficult to put them each in (and there were like 100's of them) and putting them in is unnecessary (the plastic locks in between each slat does the job fine, and additionally, the mattress on top of the slats). finally, my 6'1" roommate sleeps fine on the top bunk
No complaints
The whole unit is very sturdy. It came in quite a few pieces, but was not too difficult to assemble. The only thing I would change if I were designing it, would be the rail on the end. There should be a gap in the rail where the ladder meets the loft level. That would be easier to climb into, instead of having to climb over the rail. Nice unit overall though!
So far, so good!
After reading the reviews and taking notes on how to avoid the Step 3 Mistake, I carefully followed the otherwise clear instructions and got the bed put together curse-free in under 3 hours - I did have to enlist the help of my husband when it came to popping those blasted little plastic tabs into the crossbars, which he didn't have much trouble doing. He wondered if those who said they did have trouble were trying to push them straight in or one side at a time like he was. We also put the top crossbar/slats section together before attaching it to the frame, so maybe that made it easier. Anyway, the plastic tabs definitely make the slats feel nice and secure. Here's the rundown: (items marked with * are reasons for the 4/5 star rating) About the construction: -Okay, first the packaging. Couldn't have been happier. Nothing was bent, scratched, or misshapen. The packing was nice and padded and tight. None of the metal pieces rubbed against other metal. While it might seem a little wasteful, each of the 44 metal slats was in its own individual plastic sleeve, so none of them were marred at all. I didn't think to check, but the sleeves felt like recycled plastic. I'm not sure if you know what I mean, but there you have it. Come to think of it, the cardboard for the "O" parts may have been recycled, too. Pretty sure the rest of the packaging wasn't, though. -One of the holes in one of the end posts (A or D) must have been slightly off, as one of the assembled [head or foot] pieces (step 2) wasn't quite straight after I assembled it. This didn't make a difference after the bed was completely put together, though. -*The ladder could be a little better constructed. The horizontal metal pieces that attach to the top bunk aren't exactly flush with the edge of the crossbar it attaches to. If you have the right dremel attachment, you can widen the screwhole a little bit and push the ladder inward as you tighten the bolts. Otherwise, you may have a tiny bit (like, a cm) of a sharpish edge sticking out at the top of the ladder, either from the rectangular horizontal piece or from the top of the hollow tube. (Kind of hard to explain.. sorry!) Not a huge deal, and pretty easily fixable. Also, if you change your mind about where to put the ladder, it's really easy to move. -*The posts are definitely not as flush as the picture would have you believe. No surprise, of course. It would be nice, though, if there were some kind of sleeve that slipped over the tubes where they connect, kind of like a curtain rod..if that makes sense. About the finished product: -The extra little legs in the center of the bottom crossbars are nice and make the bed feel extra sturdy. -The ladder might take some getting used to. While the design does make it more compact since you don't have a ladder sticking out diagonally and taking up 2 or 3 feet of extra space, it is a little trickier to climb up a perfectly vertical ladder, at least for a 7-year old. The inclination is to lean back as you climb, which would loosen the joints and eventually make the bed wobbly. I'm sure we'll get the hang of it, though. -It really does seem sturdy. There is very little jostling on either bunk when someone gets on or off the other one, as tested by myself (115lb on top bunk) and my husband (170lb on bottom bunk). Just remember to check and tighten the bolts periodically. -Another reviewer mentioned the height, saying it's taller than most bunks. This almost turned me away, as I was nervous enough having my rambunctious 7-year old boy on a top bunk. I was relieved to find that this isn't actually the case - it's the bottom bunk that is a bit lower than usual. As the other reviewer also mentioned, this gives you plenty of headroom on the bottom bunk, which is true. Unless you're freakishly tall, any adult could sit comfortably on the bottom bunk (which could be important for bedtime reading and storytime). The top bunk almost seems lower than normal..I'm 5'3" and I can almost see over it. :) -I think someone mentioned the mattress size. We used two regular twin mattresses, and with bedding on them, they fit perfectly. A naked mattress would have space on the sides, but I think it's meant to allow for comforters and such. If you don't use fluffy bedding, you can always fill in the space with stuffed animals! All in all, I'm happy with my purchase, and I'd recommend it to someone who is looking for a sturdy bunkbed and doesn't want to settle for the cheap one that goes by many names but gives itself away with the same photo everywhere you see it...here on or at the Big Stores. If you've been shopping around for bunkbeds, you know what I'm talking about.
Listen to the reviews
The reviews for this bed were 100% accurate. It's an excellent buy for the money, and is strong and durable. It's also a pain in the butt to put together (but really, who cares in the grand scheme of things?). Since this bed was purchased for 20-something's, we didn't put on the side rails, so that is an option if you don't want them on, it's the last step.
This is an excellent bed!!!!
If you're struggling with both space and quality, this is the item for you. I was not in a position to spend a $1000 on a bunk bed, and the bunk bed I bought before this one broke repeatedly. So, I really wanted a sturdy bed for my kids. The clearance between the bottom and the top is spacious, and therefore really opens up the room. It looks really good. It takes some back work to put this thing together, but once in a rhythm, you hardly notice it. At first the little plastic pieces that keep the bars that support the mattress in place were really frustrating, but once I got a few down in practice, no problem. I wish that the ladder was a little more accessible than it is considering the rails are so high on the top, but that is my only complaint. This bed does not make a sound and is as sturdy as a rock. I looked long and hard for a decent bunk bed, and I am very, very pleased. What you see is what you get in the finished product. This is a good, pleasing buy!
A bugger to put together
This bed is a good value and when put together is sturdy enough to handle my rambunctious boys, but it's a bugger to put together. My only advice is to read every review posted with tips on assembly and set aside a minimum of two hours to assemble. You really need two people to put this together and BEFORE YOU ASSEMBLE ANYTHING make absolutely certain you have each of the support bars in the exact right place with aligned holes for the ladder. If you don't you'll either have to take the entire bed apart at the last step (which is nearly impossible and will set you back an hour) or drill holes into the frame to attach the ladder, which is a huge pain in the butt but easier than taking the bed apart. One more tip, get a long metal bar to help put the plastic clips into place, they're almost impossible to install by hand and this step is very painful.
Great bed
Reading previous reviews was very helpful on assembly. We bought two bunk bed sets - they took about 3 hours each to unpackage, set up and then clean up all the packing materials. They were well-packaged, with no damage and no missing parts. Assembly instructions were average. Beds are very sturdy, however we are skeptical about how much weight the ladder can truly support. Tip on assembling the infamous bed rail clips is to slip one side in by hand and then use a very narrow flat head screwdriver to push the other tab in - while pushing, it should just pop in and then down snug. Previous reviewer's tip on having the H bar with the seven holes down was invaluable. Also, when first assembling the end rails be sure to have the bed post screws facing up. Would purchase more if the need arose.
Excellent value, very sturdy
Purchased these for our second guest room. Took about 2.5 hours to put together but worth it considering the price and free shipping. Very sturdy, looks great. We are very pleased.
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