Furniture and Furnishings - bunk bed metal rod steps hurt feet
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : bunk bed metal rod steps hurt feet
Dawna
12-03-05, 01:47 PM
Hello. I need an idea for something to put on my son's metal bunk bed steps. It hurts his feet to climb up and down the steps. My son is about 90lbs and I'm starting to wonder if a bunk bed wasn't such a great idea if it hurts him so much. (Its actually a loft bed so there's no lower bed to sleep on).
The steps are round metal rods about 1" across. In the past I put on those foam covers you put on water heater pipes but they broke down and pulled off too easily.
If you have any ideas for me that would be great. Thanks. :cool:
The steps are round metal rods about 1" across. In the past I put on those foam covers you put on water heater pipes but they broke down and pulled off too easily.
If you have any ideas for me that would be great. Thanks. :cool:
majakdragon
12-03-05, 02:22 PM
Dawna, Welcome to the DIY Forums.
One thing you could try would be making wood slat steps that are the same distance between the outer rails as the current rods. Purchase U-bolts that are the same inside diameter as the rods (two for each step). Drill holes for the U-bolts at each end of the slats. You may want to drill bigger holes partially through the slat on the top side so that the U-bolt nuts will be recessed. Install the U-bolts from the bottom side and secure the nuts in place. This will have to be very tight so that the slats do not rotate when stepped on. If you recess the holes for the nuts, cut the excess off of the bolts so no sharp edges are protruding. Just an idea. Good luck.
One thing you could try would be making wood slat steps that are the same distance between the outer rails as the current rods. Purchase U-bolts that are the same inside diameter as the rods (two for each step). Drill holes for the U-bolts at each end of the slats. You may want to drill bigger holes partially through the slat on the top side so that the U-bolt nuts will be recessed. Install the U-bolts from the bottom side and secure the nuts in place. This will have to be very tight so that the slats do not rotate when stepped on. If you recess the holes for the nuts, cut the excess off of the bolts so no sharp edges are protruding. Just an idea. Good luck.
slickshift
12-03-05, 08:23 PM
I have modified metal tubular furniture pretty close to the way majakdragon describes
Rather than U-Bolts I used U-Strapping meant for holding tubing (plumbing feed lines or metal conduit) against wood joists and studs
I attached them to the wood slats from the underside with screws (make sure the screws aren't too long or they'll poke through to the surface of the step)
I used bits of foam on the inside of the strapping to create a snug fit and quiet any squeaks
It depends on exactly how your tubular furniture is laid out (bed end ladder, angled ladder, loft design) as to how you would do it exactly, but it may be a possibility for you
Rather than U-Bolts I used U-Strapping meant for holding tubing (plumbing feed lines or metal conduit) against wood joists and studs
I attached them to the wood slats from the underside with screws (make sure the screws aren't too long or they'll poke through to the surface of the step)
I used bits of foam on the inside of the strapping to create a snug fit and quiet any squeaks
It depends on exactly how your tubular furniture is laid out (bed end ladder, angled ladder, loft design) as to how you would do it exactly, but it may be a possibility for you
bndawgs
12-27-05, 07:41 AM
not sure if they would help, but maybe some strips of carpet attached to the steps. this might help and would probably be more durable than the foam padding.