Does a Murphy Bed Void a Mattress Warranty?

Does a Murphy bed void a mattress warranty?

A Murphy bed does not void a mattress warranty automatically. The two products have separate warranties: the bed maker warrants the bed, and the mattress maker warrants the mattress. The question is whether the mattress you choose matches what the bed listing states and what the mattress warranty requires.

The answer matters most when you are furnishing a guest room or a home office that doubles as a bedroom, because the bed and the mattress often come from different sources or are sold together with separate terms. Reading the stated details before you buy tells you which warranty applies to which part.

What a warranty covers

A warranty is a maker's written promise to repair or replace a product within a set period if it fails under the conditions the warranty describes. The warranty names the party that honors it: the manufacturer or the seller. In a Murphy bed purchase, the bed and the mattress may carry different warranties from different parties.

One example from the source pages: Wilding Wallbeds states that its wall bed lifting mechanisms carry a lifetime warranty, while its Murphy Cabinet Beds carry a 10-year limited cabinet warranty and a 3-year limited mattress warranty. The cabinet, the mechanism and the mattress each have their own coverage, which is why you should read each warranty separately instead of assuming one document covers everything. For more on how to read warranty wording, see warranty coverage on Murphy beds.

What the bed maker states about the mattress

The bed listing tells you which mattress the bed is designed for. Wilding Wallbeds states that its Murphy Cabinet Beds include a 6-inch tri-fold mattress designed to store inside the cabinet. Night and Day Furniture lists trifold gel memory foam and trifold gel pocket coil mattresses in its cabinet collection. A cabinet bed is built around a mattress that folds into thirds and rests in the closed cabinet.

A vertical wall bed works differently: it takes a full mattress that stands on end when the bed is closed. The mattress page at Wilding Wallbeds describes options engineered to stand on-end in a Murphy bed without slumping. The stated mattress type is part of the bed's warranty picture, because using a mattress the bed was not designed for may remove the bed maker's responsibility.

If you bring your own mattress, match it to the bed type. A non-folding mattress cannot work in a cabinet bed, and a box spring cannot fold at all. The article on mattress compatibility explains which mattress types fit each bed kind.

Reading the mattress warranty text

The mattress warranty is a separate document with its own conditions. Look for words that describe the required support: a foundation, a platform, slats or a box spring. Some mattress warranties name the support the mattress must rest on, and a Murphy bed with slats or a solid platform may or may not match that requirement. The article on mattress foundation requirements outlines what to look for in a listing.

Check whether the warranty mentions folding or vertical storage. A mattress warranty written for a traditional bed frame may not anticipate a mattress that stands on end every day. If the listing does not state the answer, ask the seller or the mattress maker before you buy.

Keep the warranty text and the listing together. They are the record of what the seller stated at the time of purchase.

Your own mattress versus the included mattress

Some Murphy beds include a mattress. Wilding Wallbeds states that its cabinet beds include a tri-fold mattress and that the mattress carries its own warranty. When the mattress is included, the bed maker states the mattress warranty length, and the bed and mattress warranties are separate but sold together.

When you buy a Murphy bed kit without a mattress, the mattress is a separate purchase with the mattress maker's warranty. The bed maker's warranty text will not mention the mattress, because the bed does not include one.

When a wall bed and a mattress come from different makers, the mattress warranty is the one that decides whether the mattress is covered in a folding application. Match the mattress type to the bed and keep both warranties.

What to ask before you buy

Ask these questions before you compare listings. The answers are part of the stated details you compare.

• Does the bed warranty include the mattress, or is the mattress warranty separate?
• What mattress type does the bed listing state: a standard mattress for a wall bed or a tri-fold mattress for a cabinet bed?
• Does the mattress warranty require a specific foundation, platform or box spring?
• Does the mattress warranty say anything about folding or vertical storage?
• How long is each warranty, and who honors it: the maker or the seller?
• What does the warranty not cover, such as stains, sagging beyond a stated amount or misuse?

What the site cannot tell you

The site compares stated details from official maker pages; it cannot predict whether a specific warranty claim will be honored. Warranty coverage depends on the exact text of the document you receive and on how the product is used.

To protect yourself, keep the receipt, the listing text, the warranty documents and the original packaging until you are certain the bed and the mattress are in good order. Follow the maker's instructions for assembly and use; a warranty may require it.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Will a Murphy bed void a normal mattress warranty?

Not automatically. The mattress warranty remains in force unless its written terms require support the bed does not provide. Read the mattress warranty's support requirements and the bed maker's stated mattress type.

Do cabinet beds include a mattress with a warranty?

Some do. Wilding Wallbeds states that its Murphy Cabinet Beds include a 6-inch tri-fold mattress and that the mattress carries a 3-year limited warranty separate from the cabinet warranty.

Can a box spring work in a Murphy bed?

A box spring cannot fold, so it does not fit in a cabinet bed and is not designed for a wall bed. Check the bed maker's stated mattress support before buying.

Can I use my own mattress in a cabinet bed?

Yes, if it is a tri-fold type that stores in the cabinet. The bed maker's included mattress warranty would not apply to your own mattress; your mattress warranty applies instead.

Do I need to register the warranty?

Ask the seller. Some warranties require registration within a set time. Keep the listing, the receipt and the warranty documents regardless.