A box spring is typically made of springs with a wooden frame then covered in a cloth material. When you purchase a traditional innerspring mattress, it would lay on top of the box spring. A foundation however is typically made with a nail-free design, heavy duty boards to provide more support for a heavier memory foam or latex foam mattress. A good bed foundation can be just as important to a good, healthy night sleep as the mattress that it supports. The foundation will make sure that your mattress is on a completely flat surface elevated to a proper level. This will make it easier to get into and out of bed and allow you to lie in a position that will not injure your back. If your bed foundation is adjustable then it will also allow you to sit up in a great position to watch television or read. The bed foundation will also help extend the life of your mattress. If a mattress is placed directly onto the floor or onto wooden slats they will not take any of the pressure off of the mattress and it will wear out rapidly. A foundation, however, absorbs some of the pressure and shock of your body weight and will keep the mattress in great condition for longer. Foundations have been shown to add years of life onto a mattress before a new one is needed.