Alcove wardrobe - backing or not

[Edwina]

Hi all, would appreciate some advice. I am an amateur woodworker and attempting wardrobes either side of a fireplace alcove.

Some details of the project:

• Alcove c. 46cm wide no signs of damp/mould
• Tight corner space due to a radiator
• South-facing exterior wall
• Pre-existing boiler cupboard on furthest wall no signs of damp/mould
• Victorian terrace with crooked walls (c. +/-1.5 cm)

Question

• I have been reading a lot about exteriors wall wardrobes and mould
• Am I better building a carcass with backing & air space, or batten shelving directly on the wall and a framed door enclosing (possibly some venting?)
• Potentially batten would be the easier option but is there something I am not considering?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Cheers in advance.

 

[Just4Fun]

I would not build a carcass. Nor would I install any venting. I would just put whatever shelves etc are needed in the alcove with a door in front. I don't see why anything else would be needed.

 

[Bod]

Old house, I would line the insides, with hardboard, if for no other reason, than to stop the old wall coverings marking/sticking to the clothes.

Bod

 

[MARK.B.]

Two uprights at the front sides one for the hinges and one for the door stop ,make the upright for the hinge side a bit more robust than the door stop ( i am guessing it will be single door ) .

Or a a simple face frame with the door hinged to it would do the trick .

If your wall's are in good shape then you could just paper the wall, quicker/ cheaper than a backing board and perfectly good enough for a wardrobe

Place one of those moisture absorbing thingamijigs in a corner and this will help with possible damp problems and can give you a visual indicator that you have damp as the crystals change colour , they only cost a few bob an that's a whole lot cheaper than replacing the wife's best dress .

 

[Cabinetman]

Hi Edwina, as it was a boiler cupboard in the past there is probably an electric socket, I should leave that in there then if you do have any problems with damp – which it doesn’t sound like you will have, you could always put a little 40w trickle heater in there.
If it’s just for you and you’re not fussed about having a fitted wardrobe look I should go with the front frame as you describe. Don’t just fit the frame onto the walls though, make sure the uprights are parallel vertical and level with each other, take some time getting that right and it will save you a lot of heartache, you can cover up any discrepancies in any number of ways. Ian

 

[REN]

Some thoughts on a wardrobe carcass. I needed a wardrobe that could be moved and easily dismantled and at reasonable cost.
Very keen on Japanese designs so sliding screens would suit. The carcass is made from cheap ‘scanty’ from B&Q. Using dowels/ screws and brackets to assemble. The top and sides are just canvas. The storage shelf just lifts in and sits with mating dowels.
If I had to remake I would do away with the hanging rails and just have the doors sliding in groves as per Japanese screens.