How to remove existing wardrobe?

Question

I am starting on a house renovation and would like to replace the existing wardrobe(s) with a sliding door model to create more usable space in the rooms. Most of them are floor to ceiling metal frame like the ones in this pic, there is one that appears to have a few layers of brick above it so might be harder.

Can anyone provide some guidance on how difficult the exiting wardrobe will be to remove and how it is done?

Thanks in advance.

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @AuzzieDave,

I reckon it is still possible to do with the frame in place, but you would have to cut off the hinges and then attach some timber pieces the same thickness as the stop to flatten out the door jamb.

It looks like you have welded hinges, which is why you can't see a second plate. The only solution is to cut the hinge plate off using an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel. It would not be too difficult, but there are obviously risks involved with using an angle grinder. If you went ahead with this, I'd suggest you wear eye protection, hearing protection, long protective clothing and well-fitting gloves.

Once the doors and hinges were off, you could attach some timber on either side of the doorstop, which is the piece that juts out in the middle of the door jamb that the doors close against. It all depends on the thickness of the stop and how much space you have on either side, but a couple of lengths of

https://www.bunnings.com.au/42-x-18mm-5-4m-white-moulding-pine-fj-primed-dar_p0020749

might work. You could simply screw them to the door jamb using countersunk metal screws like these

https://www.bunnings.com.au/buildex-8g-x-30mm-gold-passivated-sheet-metal-screws-100-pack_p0920127

, driving them below the surface of the timber, then covering them. You could then use No More Gaps to hide the seams between the stop and the timbers on each side.

When installing the door track, you would need to use metal screws that are long enough to go through the timber into the metal beneath to ensure it is anchored to the metal rather than the timber. The timber is just there to create a flat surface, it would not be adequate to hang the door track from.

Now, this is obviously a bit of a work around and removing the existing jamb and replacing it altogether would be the cleanest option. The only issue with this, is that sometimes metal door frames like this can act as a lintel, holding up bricks that are installed above. If you did want to remove the jamb altogether, I'd suggest you have a suitably qualified person such as a builder or bricklayer inspect things to check whether this is the case in your situation.

If they can confirm there'd be no issues with removing the jamb, you could certainly replace it with a flat timber jamb, which would make things much simpler.

Let me know what you think. Happy to help further if required.

Jacob

AuzzieDave · Answer

Jacob,

Thanks for the welcome and the reply, I am enjoying going through the previously uploaded question and projects of others.

I have uploaded a couple of additional photos showing the bottom and top of the door jambs.  If I leave the existing jams in place I don't think I have enough flat width to install a rail for the sliding door.  Additionally the hinge for the existing door is hidden behind the existing pieces, I cant get the hinge off with frame in place. I have considered knocking the hinge ping out to take the door off, but will be left with the remaining hinge sticking out and no way to remove it.  Could potentially cut and grind it back to flush, but that feels like a poor solution.  These are all metal pieces.

Looking at past posts it seems this might be a job for an angle grinder and crowbar while being careful that the existing frame isn't holding up one or several rows of bricks. Not as simple as I had initially assumed…

Any further though and suggestions would be great.

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @AuzzieDave,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

It really depends on how extensive a change you are looking to make.

Realistically, the walls, framing and door jambs can stay in place if you are just looking to change the doors to sliding doors. It would be as simple as unscrewing the existing doors, removing that intermediate vertical timber piece, removing the clips on the top and bottom of the jamb, then installing a sliding door track like this

https://www.bunnings.com.au/cowdroy-2400mm-quick-fix-door-track-set_p3981776

, tidying up any holes, then installing your doors.

In saying this, you would need to confirm that the door jamb is wide enough for the door track to attach to it without protruding, but other than that, there really isn't much to it.

Shelving will usually just be attached to the walls and doesn't form part of the structure, so it can be taken out and altered without much issue.

If you were looking to make alterations to the shape or size of the wardrobes, then obviously things would become more complex, but I'd be happy to offer guidance on this if that is the case.

If you are just wanting to change the doors, it isn't particularly complicated.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob