Covering Up an Incredible Eye Sore With a Barn Door Closet!

I went to my stash of left over 2x4s and 2x6s and managed to build the entire frame out of scrap lumber from the house renovation. Really, I just built a little room. I got to work then covering the entire frame with leftover bead board. If you've ever worked with ply bead before (plywood that looks like bead board) you know you only have two sides with a tongue and groove to work with so, to not have any seems, you need to keep your wits about you.

Step 1: Completion

I had enough scrap leftover from trimming the house and out in the barn to do all but one piece of all of that trim! So, for a cost of all of $2 I grabbed a 6 foot 1x4 at our local lumber yard after work and completed all of the trim using my air compressor and brad nailer. Then I painted it tout and hung my door.

This closet PASSED ELECTRICAL INSPECTION. So, please don't attempt to lecture me on whether or not this is "ok"

Comments

[Miamoomoos]

I know nothing about the legalities of the electricals, but I think your cupboard looks awesome. Great job...I have an old door from a railway station that was pulled down years ago. You have given me an idea

Cheers

[GrandmasHouseDIY]

Thank you! :)

[neo71665]

As an electrician that was just lazy and/or poor planning on the person(s) that installed those panels.

Now for the electrical mumbo jumbo you won't like. The "closet" is fine to hide the panels as long as there is enough working space defined in National Electric Code 110.26 (A)(1) for depth of working space, 110.26 (A)(2) for width of working space, and 110.26(A)(3) for height of working space. Now sadly your idea of using it for storage is cut down by NEC 110.26(B) unless the above clearance is still met with the stored items inside the closet.

That code isn't just for electricians but is also used by safety, fire, building, and insurance inspectors.

[GrandmasHouseDIY]

After passing code I kept the number of our electrical inspector and gave him a call. He had me send him the photos and gave me an A-Ok. Actually we're in such rural area there were no inspections or permits that needed to be pulled when we renovated our house up to a year and a half ago. Then the only inspection we were required was an "obligation" to have it inspected through our electrical company by their private electrical inspection, which we obliged by and why I sent him the pics.