[MiamiBeach]

Hello,

I am building a new closet in my bedroom and would love to be able to use the PAX system. The size of the opening right now is:

102" long x 23 3/4" deep x 99 1/2" tall

I figured I'd install either:

a. 2 x 39 3/8" + 1 x 19 5/8" frames, or
b. 1 x 39 3/8" + 3 x 19 5/8" frames

and just drywall the few inches left over on the side and top.

However, somehow I forgot to take two other considerations into account:

- The floors haven't been installed yet and I was planning on putting them inside the closet space as well, and I've been told that the stone floors could take up to 2" depending on how level/unlevel my floors are. I think installing the floors inside the closet would be a good idea in case some day I go with a different type of wardrobe system.

- About 8" in front of this closet there is a 6 1/2" high false ceiling with recessed lights. This could prevent the doors from opening if they are higher than this.

- Worst case scenario then, I have 2" floors and the 6 1/2" ceiling leaving me only 91" of clearance vs the required height of 93".

So my questions:

1. Do the doors on PAX units extend all the way up? (I think they do)

2. There seems to be a base under the door (doors are only 90"). Could this base be cut out?

3. I guess worst case I could go with the 79" tall doors. Any IKEA ideas of what to do with the remaining 18" of space I would have above these doors?

Thanks for your help!

[MiamiBeach]

OK, silly me, I thought sliding doors could only be used for an even number of frames (because of the PAX Planner tool), but I just checked the IKEA website and the PAX Stordal doors come in a 98 3/8" x 92 7/8" size which would be just PERFECT!

The only downside is that I don't get to use the external drawers but I guess I can live with that.

[Chuck]

First, you're going to need some extra ceiling height just to assemble these units. I forget what the exact measurement is (I think it's on the site somewhere), but you build these units laying down and then stand them up into place - does the drop down ceiling allow for this?

You're also going to need some room at the top in order to actually get the doors in place - they kind of drop down onto the frame, so you need an inch or two to do this. There are also some screws that need to be installed from the top, but you could do these when the units are laying down, or at a "half way up" point as you stand them up (but see above).

If you're really good - and REALLY careful - and have an extra set of hands, you can build these units standing up, but you'll need to be able to have access to the back of the units so you can nail on the backs. Does your ceiling situation allow for this?

The 79" units may be the better - and safer - play here.

[Sadun Anik]

You want to probably keep the following in mind:

• Using sliding doors, check where the two doors meet. Since you will have three units, the doors will always block part of one of your units - the one in the middle. You will have limited access to that one.
• There is a base in the PAX wardrobe and the doors don't cover the base but they go all the way up. If you want to shorten the units by cutting out the base, you will remove the vertical piece in front of the cabinet, looking like a plinth, that gives the unit additional stability. You probably want to use that piece inside the wardrobe all the way in the back so that you have that stability.
• You need to think about how you will nail the back of the units. If you can not pull them forward because of your false ceiling, you may not be able to get behind the units to nail the back, and in certain situations you may nail the back but trap yourself behind the units . If you are assembling the units vertically in place because you can not manevuer them, include the backs in you assembly plan. You certainly would not want to both cut out the base and also not put in the back, it would be too wobbly, even with 3 units side by side.

Good luck !

[MiamiBeach]

Thanks to both of you for the responses!

I think I did a poor job explaining the setup. Here's a diagram that I think will clear things up:

Side view area of closet space:

Re: PAX Doors clearance 

I don't see a problem if I use the PAX Stordal sliding doors (98 3/8 x 92 7/8"). There will be enough space right in front of the closet (about 8") to assemble the doors, and I think the units could be assembled on the floor in front of the closet and then lifted into place. No cutting or customizing should be required in this case.

Good point about the middle unit though, I will have limited access to it so I will have to plan accordingly.

Also, the closet space does not yet have a header or the side framed. Should I get this done before or after the closets are in place?

Thanks again.