Building Cupboards in Alcove?

paperclap

Hi all,

We’ve got a fireplace in the centre of our living room, with two alcoves – one either side, naturally.

We’ve laid our new laminate flooring, but are yet to fit new skirting board (the plan is to do this post-cupboard build).

Given we’ve got laminate flooring, but more importantly a concrete floor underneath… what is the best way to build a base for the cupboard? I often see others building a frame out of 3 by 2 timber and screwing that to the floorboards. We don’t have that luxury. What’s the best plan of attack?

Thanks!

grumbler

I am no expert, but I don't understand why the cupboard needs fixing to the floor, not just rest on it and be fixed to the walls.

If you think it has to be fixed to the floor, I don't see any problem with fixing to the concrete through the laminate.

DRP

You can use kitchen unit feet and hide them by continuing the skirting along the front of the cupboard. 

I’ve done this using flat pack ikea wall units that fit nicely into approx 30cm deep alcove. 

Bendy_House

As Grumb says.

Unit 'legs' (or whatever makes contact with the floor) just sitting on it - with a felt pad under for good measure. Units sides affixed to walls and breast.

The unit will effectively 'float' on the laminate flooring, so no issues allowing the flooring to move, as it needs to.

And, yes, easier to fit the skirting afterwards

grumbler

To add to the above....

If it's an absolutely permanent cupboard that can't be removed without damaging it, I would never build it on  laminate floor. Laminate doesn't last long and can be easily damaged. The cupboard is likely to last much longer. Yes, it's possible to cut the laminate along the cupboard if it needs replacing, but why create an extra problem?

Bendy_House

Or, if it's an option, build it to fit snugly between the walls, but fully free-standing. Perhaps a single fixing near the top as an anti-topple.

3x2 timbers sounds overkill for any part of the construction.

FreeBear

grumbler said: I am no expert, but I don't understand why the cupboard needs fixing to the floor, not just rest on it and be fixed to the walls.

If you think it has to be fixed to the floor, I don't see any problem with fixing to the concrete through the laminate.

You don't really want to be drilling holes in to a concrete floor - Go in too deep, and you could puncture the DPM. A screw either side going in to the wall will be more than adequate.

grumbler

FreeBear said:

grumbler said: I am no expert, but I don't understand why the cupboard needs fixing to the floor, not just rest on it and be fixed to the walls.

If you think it has to be fixed to the floor, I don't see any problem with fixing to the concrete through the laminate.

You don't really want to be drilling holes in to a concrete floor - Go in too deep, and you could puncture the DPM.

Well, if needed, just don't go in too deep. Say, 20mm is always safe and deep enough.

After all, how do they fix stud walls to a concrete slab?

travis-powers

grumbler said:

FreeBear said:

grumbler said: I am no expert, but I don't understand why the cupboard needs fixing to the floor, not just rest on it and be fixed to the walls.

If you think it has to be fixed to the floor, I don't see any problem with fixing to the concrete through the laminate.

You don't really want to be drilling holes in to a concrete floor - Go in too deep, and you could puncture the DPM.

Well, if needed, just don't go in too deep. Say, 20mm is always safe and deep enough.

After all, how do they fix stud walls to a concrete slab?

100mm screw, timber 45mm, slab should be minimum 100mm.
 I build a lot of these and used to build a timber base but now use kitchen feet one in each corner and one in the middle.

grumbler

travis-powers said:

grumbler said:

FreeBear said:

grumbler said: I am no expert, but I don't understand why the cupboard needs fixing to the floor, not just rest on it and be fixed to the walls.

If you think it has to be fixed to the floor, I don't see any problem with fixing to the concrete through the laminate.

You don't really want to be drilling holes in to a concrete floor - Go in too deep, and you could puncture the DPM.

Well, if needed, just don't go in too deep. Say, 20mm is always safe and deep enough.

After all, how do they fix stud walls to a concrete slab?

...slab should be minimum 100mm.

Screed can be thinner

travis-powers

Forgot the screed 50mm on top of 100mm over site!