A slat tensioner kit enables five rows of existing flexible slats to be strengthened in order to cope with heavier body weights or provide additional support where needed.   A tensioner kit can be retrofitted to an existing flexible slat bed.  If more, or less, than 5 rows are required then the components can be ordered individually.  Five rows per side of bed is usually sufficient.  This allows for 2 rows beneath the shoulders and 3 rows beneath the hips.  If total support for heavier body weights is required then all rows on one side, or both sides, can be retrofitted.  This will increase the body loading capacity by approximately 50%.  

The concept of a tensioner kit is to 'double-up' flexible slats by positioning a thinner 6mm thick tension slat beneath an existing flexible slat of the same width.  The design of the plastic tension adjuster is such that they will accept a combined slat thickness of the 2 'doubled-up' slats of between 14mm and 17mm.  This offers the opportunity to fit combinations of 8mm/6mm, 9mm/6mm, 10mm/6mm or 11mm/6mm.  On each row fit 1 x tensioner slat and 2 plastic tension adjusters.  Each tension adjuster can slide inwards and outwards.  This allows each row to be individually adjusted for tension and more or less comfort as required.  The direction for sliding is marked clearly on the top of each tension adjuster in English.  Both tension slats and plastic tension adjusters are manufactured in Europe.  Pushing the pair of sliders together towards the centre SOFTENS the support whilst pulling them apart HARDENS the firmness.

Two widths of slats are catered for.  53mm wide and 38mm wide.  Two lengths of each width are available.  600mm and 700mm.  Tension slats are slightly curved in an 'arc' to match the curve of the original flexible slats on your bed.  Suitable usage is as follows:

600mm - Queen size

700mm - King, Super King & King Single

Depending on the method of bed construction sometimes a 600mm length will be sufficient for a King Size bed.  This can be checked before ordering.  Note also that it is easy to cut a 700mm length down to shorten it if a 700mm is too long.

Due to the narrow size of Single and Double beds it is normally of no advantage to incorporate slat tensioner kits.  However it can be done if required as each tension slat is easily cut to size.  This may be useful when outfitting caravans or campervans or similar.

Suitable flexible slats for new build furniture are also available on this website.