Hello!
I'm planning to build 2 standalone wardrobes with the dimensions 1200x2400mm. However, I'm unsure about which material to use. MDF definitely seems like the best option. But what thickness is required for the boards to provide the necessary stability since they won't be attached to the wall? Will 12mm be too flimsy? 19mm would make the wardrobes very heavy. Is 16mm the optimal thickness?
The idea was to build a frame with removable shelves since I want to reduce the weight as the wardrobes will go into an apartment on the second floor. This leads to my second question.
The back panel.
Should one use MDF here as well since the wardrobes won't have any built-in shelves to hold the frame together? Ideally, one would use masonite or something similar to reduce the weight as much as possible, but with a width of 1200mm, maybe it won't work?
Grateful for any answers and tips.
I'm planning to build 2 standalone wardrobes with the dimensions 1200x2400mm. However, I'm unsure about which material to use. MDF definitely seems like the best option. But what thickness is required for the boards to provide the necessary stability since they won't be attached to the wall? Will 12mm be too flimsy? 19mm would make the wardrobes very heavy. Is 16mm the optimal thickness?
The idea was to build a frame with removable shelves since I want to reduce the weight as the wardrobes will go into an apartment on the second floor. This leads to my second question.
The back panel.
Should one use MDF here as well since the wardrobes won't have any built-in shelves to hold the frame together? Ideally, one would use masonite or something similar to reduce the weight as much as possible, but with a width of 1200mm, maybe it won't work?
Grateful for any answers and tips.
I would use 16 or 19mm and masonite as the back panel, the back panel's only function is to conceal the wall and provide rigidity against twisting, it has no load-bearing function. If you use 16 mm and find that the top piece sags after assembly, you can always reinforce it with a narrow cut-out "strip" of 16mm MDF as well, which you place in the back panel in the middle from the bottom upward. It takes up minimal space but provides vertical stiffness that masonite cannot give.
Cut all parts and paint, assemble in the room, and fill/paint nails/screws as the last thing you do so you don't have to haul it up through the stairwell
Cut all parts and paint, assemble in the room, and fill/paint nails/screws as the last thing you do so you don't have to haul it up through the stairwell