built in wardrobe - starting from scratch
Hi,
So this is whats happened so far... We got the wordrobe people in to give us a measure and quote and for 2 built in wardrobes the cost is $5k ish which I reckon is pretty steep, so I'm going to give it a go myself.
I've spent a few hours searching this forum and the web for some directions on how to go about it but haven't had a lot of luck so far.
At this stage I'm planning on sliding doors. The room is currently carpeted with old carpet which will probably be ripped up in the next couple of years so i'm planning on putting the tracks on the timber rather than on top of the carpet.
So far the people who are more skilled in these things tell me its doable as a DIY but attention to detail is mportant otherwise they can turn out a bit ordinary.
Its a simple 3mth wide wardrobe I want wheer the back and one end will be existing rendered dbl brick walls.
My first step is going to be to go to a wardrobe place and buy some door tracks and come home cut away the carpet and get into it.
Am I setting myself up for a fall? Any tips/comments etc are appreciated.
Cheers
constructing a built in wardrobe
Hi Andrew 29,
An interesting project. It's almost always easier to build the wardrobe as a stand alone unit or modules as the case may be and then offer it up into the space to be filled with appropriate fillers on the ends. That's the commercial norm. There's a heap of reasons for going that way which you will discover if you go the build- in- situ way. The incorporation of a back is an essential part of getting the whole thing very square which in turn is an essential part of getting the doors to fit etc etc.You really need a floor as well for the same reasons and I'd go for a kickboard as part of this.The use of sheet materials to build the carcase is a very quick way to get the job done. 16mm whiteboard is the go here for a wardrobe. Don't get the HMR version as it's s good bit more expensive and not required for this application. If you build as a stand alone unit/s as i suggest you will have to construct the whole as modules that can be got to where they are required. Remember you can't tip up a 2400 cupboard module under a 2400 ceiling:(:(!! If you are going to use sheet materials for carcassing get a local joinery works to supply and cut the sheets for you. You will get +/- 0.5mm width accuracy and usually dead square which makes building the carcases a breeze. Use confirmat screws and buy the necessary step drill for predrilling the holes. Get the joinery works to edge the sheets where they will be visible. Select your sliding door hardware now before you do anything so it can be incorporated into the design phase. Hettich and Hafele both have a great range and both are represented in Hobart now. Good luck with this its a physically large project but the joinery(using sheets and stand alone modules) is absolutely simplistic . Old Pete