Under-Ceiling Locker

by mpolit

2.0K260

Intro: Under-Ceiling Locker

Hello!

Last time I realized that I had not enough space to store some stuff in my kitchen. And I found that there is plenty of space above fridge under the ceiling. This is ideal place for voluminous locker.

So let's get started!

STEP 1: You'll Need

This is what you need. In my case empty space under ceiling was 145x65x50 cm. All materials where calculated for this volume.

Building materials:

  • drywall boards 60x90x12 - 3 pcs
  • steel framing studs 300x60 cm - 6 pcs
  • steel framing studs 120x30 cm - 4 pcs
  • drywall screws - around 50 pcs
  • screws with plastic dowels for concrete - around 30 pcs
  • L-shaped steel profiles - 4 pcs
  • primer
  • mesh drywall joint tape
  • pre-mixed joint compound - 1,5 kg
  • compound for finish - 5 kg
  • cement or plaster - 0,5 kg
  • alu corner profiles - 200 cm - 2 pcs
  • yellow latex paint - 0,5 l
  • sliding door set with 150 cm rails
  • pipe insulation foam - 2 m
  • particle board with texture 18 mm thickness - cut to size in local hardware store
  • hdf board 3mm thickness - cut to size in local hardware store
  • silicone
  • double sided strong adhesive foam 3M

Tools:

  • steel cutting scissors
  • level
  • measure tape
  • knife
  • hot glue
  • putty knife
  • tapping knife
  • electric screwdriver
  • hammer drill
  • pen
  • strong glue for metal and concrete
  • safety glasses
  • brushes
  • silicone gun

STEP 2: Frame Construction - Installing Guide Steel Studs

At the very beginning do precise measurements of the space where the locker will be mounted. Next cut narrower steel stud to appropriate length. Pair of the will create guide for wider steel stud. Together with them we will build frame for locker.

Mark with level line on a wall. Use hot glue to stick stud to wall and adjust its level. If ok, drill holes and install dowels with screws. I used at least 5 screws for single stud. Do it on both sides of empty space. After guide studs are installed check if they are properly attached to wall.

STEP 3: Frame Construction - Building Platform

Measure distance between installed studs and cut wider steel studs according to this. Install two wider and adjust level. After adjusting level tighten all screws.

Start installing studs one by one but remember, odd should be turned up, even should be turned down. Note, edges of stud are very sharp, be careful.

Join all studs with drywall screws.

STEP 4: Frame Construction - Adding Reinforcement

Locker should be adapted for heavy load. So I needed to add some reinforcement profiles. Two of them were installed on each side. In the center of the locker I added additional stud frame.

STEP 5: Drywall Boards Mounting - Preparation

Before installing drywall boards do precise measurement and cut boards according to this. On the frond edge of the locker there will be flat surface for rails for sliding system. So you need to cut small parts of board.

Cut all edges of boards with knife. Do some kind of bevel. It is needed to improve joining of boards with compound.

STEP 6: Drywall Board Mounting - Installation

Install boards with the screws on bottom surface. Put drywall pieces on front and top surface, check if they are properly fitted. In my case I had some empty space between them so I fulfilled it with cement. Fix everything with drywall screws.

STEP 7: Drywall Boards Mounting - Finishing

Use primer for beveled edges. Let it dry. Smear joint compound with putty knife on beveled edges and screw holes. Embed joint tape into edge. Let dry first layer of compound. Next sand it with drywall sander or sand paper. I didn't make photos of that because there was a lot of dust :). After that put another layer of finish compound, spread it with tapping knife and again after drying sand it. If necessary do third layer.

Clean surface from the dust and you are ready for painting. Do at least two layers of paint.

STEP 8: Sliding Door System Instalation

After painting locker is ready to have sliding system installed. I marked on first photo blue lines how rails should be attached. Cut rails to appropriate length, smear it with glue, install and secure with something heavy or clamps. In the same way install rail on ceiling. For securing it I used scrap profiles.

After couple of minutes it turned out that due to the fact that ceiling surface is not flat there is problem with sticking rail to the wall. I decided to drill holes and fix it with screws to be sure rail is properly attached to ceiling.

Finally install rollers and guides of sliding system to particle board. This board was cut and had all edges veneered in local hardware store.

STEP 9: Interior Finish and Slide Doors Installation

It's time to mount hdf boards (cut to size in local hardware store) to top surface of locker. Before that stick adhesive foam strips on top surface. Next put and stick hdf board. Fill gaps on the board edges with silicone. Do it for whole board outline.

Cut insulation pipe foam according to length of reinforcement frame steel studs. put some glue on it and stick it to the studs. It is important to cover them because they have very sharp edges.

Last thing finally. Install front doors, adjust rollers and guides of sliding system.

And the locker is ready.

STEP 10: Summary

You can see now the final effect. I'm quite satisfied. Locker has enough space for storing all unnecessary stuff.

Hope you like it.