College Dorm Loft (accepts Twin XL frame) *updated*

This is a loft to get your bed up off the ground to increase functional room space.  This loft accepts a given frame (the dimensions used on this loft are for the frames provided by Iowa State University, but may be the same as others).  This is very similar to--but much more sturdy than--the kits available from Lowes.  Note that this is an improvement to my last (years) loft plans, available here. 

Step 1 Materials, Tools, and Cutting

Tools:
- Compound Miter (Chop) Saw
- (Cordless) Drill
- Wrench / Socket
- Tape Measure
- Triangle or Carpenters' Square

Materials:
- 2 1/2" Deck Screws
- 3 1/2" Carriage Bolts, with nuts, washers, and lock washers
- 2x4's 
- 1x4
- 1x10 (optional)

Cutting Lengths:
  Part                Board        Length                  Quantity
- Ladder...............2x4...........36 1/2"....................x6
- Uprights............2x4...........60"...........................x8
- Beam, outer.....2x4...........73" ..........................x3
- Beam, inner.....2x2...........63" ..........................x2
- Guard rail.........1x4...........32" & 20"................x1

Comments

[rockbeth]

so, you took off the legs to your bed?

[ajmontag]

Yes, there are a few different styles of bed frames, and they should all fit.

[drexelmom]

How did you put the existing bed ontop and keep it steady and supported? My son will have a metal bed frame at the school he is going to. So I am thinking it would be built for the legs to drop down in some sort of box to keep them supported.

[ajmontag]

(Typically) the ends--meaning legs--of the frame are removable, check back within a few days for finished pictures, I just get moved in!

[s07395676]

what kind of wood did you use?

[ajmontag]

just plain old dimensional lumber, pine/fir 2x4's

[john.d.watkins]

how sturdy is this?

[ajmontag]

I will let you know when I move into my dorm in 4 days! I did base the design on my last years model (as i notice you have seen) and combined my idea there with the kits available at Lowes. This design appears much more rigid than what Lowes sells in a kit, so I'm sure it will be sufficient.

[john.d.watkins]

thanks