Let’s say that you own or manage a camp, hostel, fire hall, refugee center, emergency site or you are just in need of beds that will experience significant use. Before you make the decision of wood vs. metal bunk beds for commercial use, there are many factors to consider.
Metal Bunk Beds Are Resistant to Bed Bugs
The main “pro” for the use of metal bunk beds, as opposed to wooden bunk beds, is the ability of metal bunk beds to be bed bug, termite and rodent resistant. Just imagine that you are the owner or manager of a commercial camp and it has been discovered that your business has suffered an infestation of bed bugs. An emergency such as this could potentially destroy the reputation of your business. Today’s world is basically controlled by social media and news that a camp has an infestation of bed bugs would spread like wildfire. This could affect the bottom line of your business, and would also cost you a lot of time and money to eradicate the problem. With metal bunk beds, you won’t even have to be concerned with a potential bed bug or termite issue.
The quality of the manufacturing process and material used in the production of metal bunk beds ensures that they cannot be infested with bed bugs, termites, or any other critters that would scare away business. The metal tubing and joints where the tubing is joined are welded together in such as way that bed bugs cannot hide or nest in them. In purchasing metal bunk beds vs. wood bunk beds you are already solving a problem that could potentially ruin your business and reputation.
Metal Bunk Beds Are More Durable
One of the perceived benefits of wood bunk beds is that people tend to think that they are more “warm” and “inviting”. Although this might be aesthetically true, in the practical world, wooden bunk beds are not nearly as durable as metal bunk beds. Wooden beds can be subject to damage from moisture and rotting. They can also be subject to damage from termites and mice chewing on them. Lastly, wooden bunk beds can be subject to damage from guests. It is quite frequently the case that guests will carve messages into the wood and create puncture marks and scratches. And when this happens, the process of repairing the damage can be time consuming and costly.
Compare this with the durability of metal bunk beds. Metal bunks are manufactured with a “finish” that makes damaging the surface and scratching one’s name in it almost impossible. Further, no mice or other type of rodent would chew and destroy a metal bunk bed. It’s also important to take into consideration that metal bunk beds are naturally water resistant and mold and mildew resistant. Even though wooden bunk beds might be “warmer” in appearance, the benefits of metal bunk beds vs. wooden bunk beds are pretty obvious.
Metal Bunk Beds Are Easily Moved
Oftentimes, beds need to be moved and stored for many reasons; off-season storage, cleaning and/or rearranging for certain sleeping needs. When a camp has to do this on a seasonal, monthly or even weekly basis, the ease of moving and storing furniture might be a major factor in deciding whether to purchase wood or metal bunk beds. In general, wood bunk beds will be heavier than metal bunk beds because the construction is hollow. Further, metal bunk beds generally take up less space and can be stored more easily.
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.