Fitting a Fitted Wardrobe

TELLIT01

When I decided to build my own built in wardrobes I took measurements from existing wardrobes in another room.  Depth is 24" (60cm).  If you want to used hinged doors you will need to put timber on the wall to attach the hinges.  Cutting the skirting wouldn't work as the remaining skirting will foul the door as it opens.

Danny30

Was going to do this method from video below. He uses 20mm by 20mm Wood battens. 

https://youtu.be/s4BoMX-mFq8

Shelves are 116 cm wide 32 cm deep. 
I am struggling to find 6mm Mdf shelves to be honesty and don't want to make complete cut outs as I don't have the equipment for that and it wouldn't look as good. Also need a place when I can cut them in store like builders depot as I can't fit a 2.4m length in my car.

I am planning to use them to put books so needs to be Strong enough. 

Danny30

Sorry to bump the thread. Just wanted to kindly ask if 20mm by 20mm battens would be okay? Thanks 

lesalanos

With having the sides battened too then this would give more strength and support to hold it.  Its not just the batten though, it depends what you are screwing them in to.

There are some issues I see in your plan ( from a DIY, not professional opinion)
Using melamine shelving would be very difficult to get a tidy finish.  He used MDF then added filler to cover the countersunk screws.  How would you get a clean finish on the front of the shelf?  You would need perfectly straight edges to slide it in but would then have a line showing.
If you are getting these precut then your measuring needs to be spot on and ideally your walls square.  

MDF is easier to paint over after to hide imperfections if needed.

Danny30

lesalanos said:

With having the sides battened too then this would give more strength and support to hold it.  Its not just the batten though, it depends what you are screwing them in to.

There are some issues I see in your plan ( from a DIY, not professional opinion)
Using melamine shelving would be very difficult to get a tidy finish.  He used MDF then added filler to cover the countersunk screws.  How would you get a clean finish on the front of the shelf?  You would need perfectly straight edges to slide it in but would then have a line showing.
If you are getting these precut then your measuring needs to be spot on and ideally your walls square.  

MDF is easier to paint over after to hide imperfections if needed.

Thank you very much for your reply. I didn't realise that melamine wood is was difficulty to use. Maybe I will need to get Mdf then and cut it. Makes the job that much more tricky. 

lesalanos

Danny30 said:

lesalanos said:

With having the sides battened too then this would give more strength and support to hold it.  Its not just the batten though, it depends what you are screwing them in to.

There are some issues I see in your plan ( from a DIY, not professional opinion)
Using melamine shelving would be very difficult to get a tidy finish.  He used MDF then added filler to cover the countersunk screws.  How would you get a clean finish on the front of the shelf?  You would need perfectly straight edges to slide it in but would then have a line showing.
If you are getting these precut then your measuring needs to be spot on and ideally your walls square.  

MDF is easier to paint over after to hide imperfections if needed.

Thank you very much for your reply. I didn't realise that melamine wood is was difficulty to use. Maybe I will need to get Mdf then and cut it. Makes the job that much more tricky. 

I'm just not sure melamine works well for what you are trying to do.

Why do you think MDF makes it more tricky? 

Danny30

lesalanos said:

Danny30 said:

lesalanos said:

With having the sides battened too then this would give more strength and support to hold it.  Its not just the batten though, it depends what you are screwing them in to.

There are some issues I see in your plan ( from a DIY, not professional opinion)
Using melamine shelving would be very difficult to get a tidy finish.  He used MDF then added filler to cover the countersunk screws.  How would you get a clean finish on the front of the shelf?  You would need perfectly straight edges to slide it in but would then have a line showing.
If you are getting these precut then your measuring needs to be spot on and ideally your walls square.  

MDF is easier to paint over after to hide imperfections if needed.

Thank you very much for your reply. I didn't realise that melamine wood is was difficulty to use. Maybe I will need to get Mdf then and cut it. Makes the job that much more tricky. 

I'm just not sure melamine works well for what you are trying to do.

Why do you think MDF makes it more tricky? 

Because mdf requires cutting perfectly and comes as a big board so can't get it into my car. I would pay to get it pre cut but only place that does that seems to be B & Q but the reviews for their Mdf are very bad. 

lesalanos

Danny30 said:

lesalanos said:

Danny30 said:

lesalanos said:

With having the sides battened too then this would give more strength and support to hold it.  Its not just the batten though, it depends what you are screwing them in to.

There are some issues I see in your plan ( from a DIY, not professional opinion)
Using melamine shelving would be very difficult to get a tidy finish.  He used MDF then added filler to cover the countersunk screws.  How would you get a clean finish on the front of the shelf?  You would need perfectly straight edges to slide it in but would then have a line showing.
If you are getting these precut then your measuring needs to be spot on and ideally your walls square.  

MDF is easier to paint over after to hide imperfections if needed.

Thank you very much for your reply. I didn't realise that melamine wood is was difficulty to use. Maybe I will need to get Mdf then and cut it. Makes the job that much more tricky. 

I'm just not sure melamine works well for what you are trying to do.

Why do you think MDF makes it more tricky? 

Because mdf requires cutting perfectly and comes as a big board so can't get it into my car. I would pay to get it pre cut but only place that does that seems to be B & Q but the reviews for their Mdf are very bad. 

I must be missing something as the mdf and melamine will both need cutting perfectly won't they? How are you planning on cutting the melamine?
Mdf comes in a variety of size boards 

Emmia

Danny30 said:

lesalanos said:

Danny30 said:

lesalanos said:

With having the sides battened too then this would give more strength and support to hold it.  Its not just the batten though, it depends what you are screwing them in to.

There are some issues I see in your plan ( from a DIY, not professional opinion)
Using melamine shelving would be very difficult to get a tidy finish.  He used MDF then added filler to cover the countersunk screws.  How would you get a clean finish on the front of the shelf?  You would need perfectly straight edges to slide it in but would then have a line showing.
If you are getting these precut then your measuring needs to be spot on and ideally your walls square.  

MDF is easier to paint over after to hide imperfections if needed.

Thank you very much for your reply. I didn't realise that melamine wood is was difficulty to use. Maybe I will need to get Mdf then and cut it. Makes the job that much more tricky. 

I'm just not sure melamine works well for what you are trying to do.

Why do you think MDF makes it more tricky? 

Because mdf requires cutting perfectly and comes as a big board so can't get it into my car. I would pay to get it pre cut but only place that does that seems to be B & Q but the reviews for their Mdf are very bad. 

Can't you order the shelves (whether melamine or mdf or whatever) cut to size & delivered to you online?

That would avoid the transportation problem, and the dodgy B&Q MDF.

Edit: personally I'd go the whole hog and just order the shelves in a floating style, made to measure (for me to install) - I wouldn't faff about with cutting wood to size, and YouTube videos which make it look easy, when in fact getting a good strong finish is anything but.

Danny30

lesalanos said:

Danny30 said:

lesalanos said:

Danny30 said:

lesalanos said:

With having the sides battened too then this would give more strength and support to hold it.  Its not just the batten though, it depends what you are screwing them in to.

There are some issues I see in your plan ( from a DIY, not professional opinion)
Using melamine shelving would be very difficult to get a tidy finish.  He used MDF then added filler to cover the countersunk screws.  How would you get a clean finish on the front of the shelf?  You would need perfectly straight edges to slide it in but would then have a line showing.
If you are getting these precut then your measuring needs to be spot on and ideally your walls square.  

MDF is easier to paint over after to hide imperfections if needed.

Thank you very much for your reply. I didn't realise that melamine wood is was difficulty to use. Maybe I will need to get Mdf then and cut it. Makes the job that much more tricky. 

I'm just not sure melamine works well for what you are trying to do.

Why do you think MDF makes it more tricky? 

Because mdf requires cutting perfectly and comes as a big board so can't get it into my car. I would pay to get it pre cut but only place that does that seems to be B & Q but the reviews for their Mdf are very bad. 

I must be missing something as the mdf and melamine will both need cutting perfectly won't they? How are you planning on cutting the melamine?
Mdf comes in a variety of size boards 

Hi, the difference was that the melamine shelves only needed small cuts as they were close to the right size but if MDF is better I will just go with that.
I did pop into wickes today and saw smaller 1.2 length MDF boards so that is good as I can squeeze that into my car. I also took a look at the 20mm by 20mm batten and it does look a bit small. With the the 20mm batten the total depth would be 18mm + 6mm + 20mm = 44mm Depth shelves.