greeting, we're looking to convert one of our upstairs room into a full
blown library (floor to ceiling, all walls with consideration for a
window seat) and wanted to do a bit of leg work regarding the
construction. the room is approx 16'x12'. any and all responses
welcomed. TIA
we'd like the end product to "high-end" and are considering cherry or
mahogany as our wood of choice. in speaking with some shops, it seems
many use cherry veneer with solid cherry only on front pieces. i
suspect this is done to reduce cost and maximize their profits. if we
were to do this ourselves we would save on labor and therefore could
spend more on materials. is it a waste to use solid cherry all around
for this library (i realize if cost were no object one could use
anything however i wanted to know what makes better sense and would
look polished in the end)? broken down, we have:
side panels (cherry ply?)
shelves (solid cherry?)
back (that pins against the walls) (cherry ply?)
flutes, molding, etc (solid cherry?)
the framing (support) seems to be 2x4 (pine?)
for our window seat, there will be room to construct a box below the
window. what type of spacing (support) would one need to have between
boxes to insure adequate support for 1-2 adults seated on the seat
(width of window is about 5ft). a similar question for the shelving
above the window, what type of reinforcement would we need to consider
to insure structural integrity for supporting the weight of the books
above the window?
finally we have hardwood flooring. would we simply nail the 2x4 frames
directly to the wood flooring or should we pull it up first?
thanks
hi, sorry if i hit a nerve with my comments. i assure you it was
unintentional. it was just that i was surprised to find that, when
delved in, many parts of the cherry bookshelves would be veneered mdf
with solid facing pieces. the prices quoted were not insignificant and
i just wanted to make sure i understood the terminology and if that
was actually the correct approach.
just like many of these 5.8ghz cordless phones that are out. come to
find many are 5.8ghz only in one direction and 2.4ghz (or less) in the
other. when trying to balance that with my 2.4ghz wireless router to
avoid cross-contamination, it wouldn't help much at all.
we just ordered a closet system from www.easycloset.com and while it
looks great, it was mdf underneath melamine and chipped easily. we're
just looking to do something more polished for our formal libray.
thanks.
Norm will be doing exactly what you are planning in March on NYW.
http://www.newyankee.com/2005.shtml
Check the last item on the page. To bad it is so far in the future if
you can not wait for the show to air.
[email protected] wrote:
> greeting, we're looking to convert one of our upstairs room into a full
> blown library (floor to ceiling, all walls with consideration for a
> window seat) and wanted to do a bit of leg work regarding the
> construction. the room is approx 16'x12'. any and all responses
> welcomed. TIA
>
> we'd like the end product to "high-end" and are considering cherry or
> mahogany as our wood of choice. in speaking with some shops, it seems
> many use cherry veneer with solid cherry only on front pieces. i
> suspect this is done to reduce cost and maximize their profits. if we
> were to do this ourselves we would save on labor and therefore could
> spend more on materials. is it a waste to use solid cherry all around
> for this library (i realize if cost were no object one could use
> anything however i wanted to know what makes better sense and would
> look polished in the end)? broken down, we have:
>
> side panels (cherry ply?)
> shelves (solid cherry?)
> back (that pins against the walls) (cherry ply?)
> flutes, molding, etc (solid cherry?)
> the framing (support) seems to be 2x4 (pine?)
>
> for our window seat, there will be room to construct a box below the
> window. what type of spacing (support) would one need to have between
> boxes to insure adequate support for 1-2 adults seated on the seat
> (width of window is about 5ft). a similar question for the shelving
> above the window, what type of reinforcement would we need to consider
> to insure structural integrity for supporting the weight of the books
> above the window?
>
> finally we have hardwood flooring. would we simply nail the 2x4 frames
> directly to the wood flooring or should we pull it up first?
>
> thanks
>
On 1 Jan 2005 20:35:17 -0800, [email protected] wrote:
>we'd like the end product to "high-end" and are considering cherry or
>mahogany as our wood of choice. in speaking with some shops, it seems
>many use cherry veneer with solid cherry only on front pieces. i
>suspect this is done to reduce cost and maximize their profits.
Plywood is more stable than solid stock for cabinetry, shelving and
built-ins. Cherry and mahogany 3/4" ply can be $100-150 a 4x8 sheet
in some areas, it's not exactly cheap. Doors, faces, etc... can still
be done with solid stock.
About the "maximize their profits" statement. Many cabinetmakers do
not mark up materials. Using sheet goods often takes less time, and
you're paying by the hour. You may not SEE the number of hours on the
bill, but that's how the job is estimated. I suspect the business
you're in prefers to "minimize profits"? Going in to a high-end,
custom situation with the attitude that craftspeople are out to rip
you off will not help you. Excellent craftspeople command good money,
and may even be booked out a while. If someone's cheap and
immediately available, I'd so some deep research before hiring them.
Ever see the "Fraser" episode with the plumber? <G>
> if we
>were to do this ourselves we would save on labor and therefore could
>spend more on materials.
That's assuming you have the skills, tools, and experience to do the
job as well. The FINISH on wooden surfaces is often the difference
between an amateurish job and a truly sweet product. By the questions
you're asking, I doubt you have the skills required to build this to a
professional standard for less money.
>is it a waste to use solid cherry all around
>for this library
Probably, but it's your home. I don't know if a potential buyer would
care if the "cherry library" was solid or plywood. The overall value
of the home would probably be the biggest factor in the effect of
solid wood throughout.
If plywood truly bothers you, by all means use solid stock.
> (i realize if cost were no object one could use
>anything however i wanted to know what makes better sense and would
>look polished in the end)?
Hardwood ply and solid faces.
>side panels (cherry ply?)
>shelves (solid cherry?)
If they're fixed shelves, I'd use ply with solid facing. I might make
movable shelves from solid stock.
>back (that pins against the walls) (cherry ply?)
>flutes, molding, etc (solid cherry?)
>the framing (support) seems to be 2x4 (pine?)
>for our window seat, there will be room to construct a box below the
>window. what type of spacing (support) would one need to have between
>boxes to insure adequate support for 1-2 adults seated on the seat
>(width of window is about 5ft). a similar question for the shelving
>above the window, what type of reinforcement would we need to consider
>to insure structural integrity for supporting the weight of the books
>above the window?
All designed in to a professional's job. The overhead shelving would
have hard points designed in so that they can be attached to studs.
Window seats are expected to have people sitting or standing on them.
>finally we have hardwood flooring. would we simply nail the 2x4 frames
>directly to the wood flooring or should we pull it up first?
Seriously. Go see some of the work that craftspeople you're
considering have done elsewhere. If you like the work, LISTEN TO THEM
and let them work! Don't like the finished products? Keep looking.
Built-ins, shelving, and window seats are not rocket science, but they
do require straight, square, level, and plumb parts that need to be
fitted to an existing area that is none of the above. Could you do
it? Maybe. After buying tools, wasted materials due to lack of
experience, etc... I doubt you'd save money, you'd probably spend
more.
Barry
Use of ply is not a 'cheep' approach or cop-out. Ply is much more stable
than solid wood. I have seen some libraries in good old England and you
would think solid wood would hold up to time. I does not. Some rooms look
great in photos but up close it is amazing on how must cracking and warping
happens not just with time but with seasons. Get good multi ply as in the
case of shelves it is good to double up to get 1 1/2 " thickness to help
reduce bowing due to weight of books. Wood like cherry is now expensive in
my parts and ply with solid face would be the way I would choose for a large
project as you describe. If you want to put your money to good work consider
an architect or int/designer to help with the project.
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> greeting, we're looking to convert one of our upstairs room into a full
> blown library (floor to ceiling, all walls with consideration for a
> window seat) and wanted to do a bit of leg work regarding the
> construction. the room is approx 16'x12'. any and all responses
> welcomed. TIA
>
> we'd like the end product to "high-end" and are considering cherry or
> mahogany as our wood of choice. in speaking with some shops, it seems
> many use cherry veneer with solid cherry only on front pieces. i
> suspect this is done to reduce cost and maximize their profits. if we
> were to do this ourselves we would save on labor and therefore could
> spend more on materials. is it a waste to use solid cherry all around
> for this library (i realize if cost were no object one could use
> anything however i wanted to know what makes better sense and would
> look polished in the end)? broken down, we have:
>
> side panels (cherry ply?)
> shelves (solid cherry?)
> back (that pins against the walls) (cherry ply?)
> flutes, molding, etc (solid cherry?)
> the framing (support) seems to be 2x4 (pine?)
>
> for our window seat, there will be room to construct a box below the
> window. what type of spacing (support) would one need to have between
> boxes to insure adequate support for 1-2 adults seated on the seat
> (width of window is about 5ft). a similar question for the shelving
> above the window, what type of reinforcement would we need to consider
> to insure structural integrity for supporting the weight of the books
> above the window?
>
> finally we have hardwood flooring. would we simply nail the 2x4 frames
> directly to the wood flooring or should we pull it up first?
>
> thanks
>
On 2 Jan 2005 06:41:24 -0800, [email protected] wrote:
>hi, sorry if i hit a nerve with my comments. i assure you it was
>unintentional.
No problem at all.
Remember a built-in place custom library is NOT easycloset.com. <G>
Barry