Reinforce side panel for tall door (kitchen larder unit)?

[Careful_Bodger]

I am modifying a standard larder unit to go around a boiler (see pic: work in progress). The top door is about 1.3metres tall and weighs 9kg (three hinges). The left side panel will be fixed to the rear wall along its back edge, while the right side panel will be fixed with through screws into the side wall.

While the lower part of the cabinet provides cross-bracing with 4 batten-mounted shelves, the upper section will have only the top brace (represented in the pic with the blue tape) down as far as the top shelf (shown with the spirit level).

The top of the cabinet will be otherwise open to meet boiler clearances, and there is nothing else on the hinge side, e.g. no abutting cabinet.

So....will I need to reinforce the left panel? Is the current arrangement sufficient to resist flex with door use and resist sag over the longer term?

I have plenty of left over melamine , and can easily double-up over most of the top section near the hinges.

Any other thoughts welcome.

TIA!

 

[RandomGrinch]

You could possibly screw it into the wall at a couple of places with packers?
The gap could be filled with a closing panel if the Packers are unsightly?
There might be some questions about cabinet ventilation to address.
When I have had my boiler serviced, some have questioned the lack of ventilation on my cabinet, when others haven't mentioned it!

 

[foxhole]

You need to space the left panel 20mm off the wall to prevent door binding on wall . No need for ventilation, modern boiler are self contained and you have no top on it . You could install a thin plinth across the top with keku clips which allow removal quickly for boiler maintenance.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Keku-EH-...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I have done similar, but with a base unit trimmed to size for a wall cupboard, rather than a full height. I left the top open, to ensure there was adequate ventilation. I also made it quick to remove, should it be needed for boiler servicing or replacement - Just two fixing to remove and it pulls away, to give full access.

In your case, I would look at adding more bracing between the two sides, at least one above the boiler (where the blue is) and one just below the boiler, made from a bit of 2x1 bracketed, or even better a pair of side to side metal brackets.

 

[Careful_Bodger]

Some good ideas there. Thank you!

@foxhole

Those keku clips look very interesting. Excellent suggestion! Are they any good in tension, i.e. perpendicular (rather than parallel) to the broad faces of each of the tabs), or is the that particular ABS plastic quite soft & yieldy?

On the topic of clearance - all the hinges I have so far seen of this kind don't seem to require this - i.e. door movement is towards the opening side and still within the outline of the cabinet. Having said that there's a few inches gap on the hinge side to the wall with the window reveal.

@Harry Bloomfield

Yes, good idea! I can install an additional cross brace(s) >200mm below the boiler and still be compliant.

Maybe I can combine that with something easily dismountable or knockdown-able (e.g. using modesty blocks or with those keku clips mentioned by @foxhole).

@RandomGrinch

The MI's make no mention of additional ventilation over and above the required clearances (per the comment from @foxhole), but I am aware that servicing people can sometimes step outside their realm of knowledge (for their own reasons maybe, not unrelated to drumming up future work..... ).

I was hoping to keep everything inside the cabinet, but I may need to use the side wall or ceiling.

 

[RandomGrinch]

The keku clips look interesting. I've used button clips before:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Button-Fix-Bracket-Connecting-Upgraded/dp/B0839KK5P6
Which would work for you in tension if the buttons are mounted on the side panels.
Neat work so far by the way!

 

[Careful_Bodger]

@RandomGrinch - those button clips would be great with a re-purposed cutdown shelf mounted vertically in front of the mag filter.

I sense an imminent Amazon order

 

[Careful_Bodger]

Neat work so far....

Thanks! All cut by handsaw, too, even the side panel long cuts

 

[RandomGrinch]

@RandomGrinch - those button clips would be great with a re-purposed cutdown shelf mounted vertically in front of the mag filter.

Yes, that would work nicely. Though be careful how you attach the brackets to the shelf, the buttons can be quite tight - you don't want to pull the screws out of the shelf the first time you remove the panel!

 

[foxhole]

Keku clips come in a variety of styles , lift off , snap off etc.