Quality wardrobes - where to buy?

im looking to buy a new wardrobe for myself - unfortunately I've already got a built in and run out of room.

Anyway, I've got a cheapy IKEA wardrobe in there and it smells, don't know why, but it does.

I'm thinking it's the cheap materials (cardboard posing as wood) that has absorbed the dampness over the years.

Anyone know which shops I can browse to pick up a properly made unit? Thanks.

 

I can't really help, but the IKEA wardrobe is most likely MDF, which is indeed prone to soaking up moisture. However, there shouldn't be any moisture in your bedroom, if I was you, I'd try and find out where it was coming from and how it can be avoided. You don't want to end up with black mould in the room and once you have it, it's quite hard to get rid of again.

 

The house itself is generally damp. Older house, bad subfloor ventilation.

Looking into subfloor insulation, positive air pressure systems, and multiple subfloor fans to allievate the problem. Do you have any recommendations on these?

 

I've got some friends that have subfloor ventilation and it made a massive difference for them. It used to smell musky whenever you walked into the house, that smell is now gone in the house and very minor under the house.
They've got solar, so they have put the fan on a timer to coincide with sun hours. And while the fan isn't noisy you'd be able to hear it at night, which isn't a problem now.

I can't say whether you need multiple fans, as it depends on the layout of your subfloor, but you might be able to get away with a single one.

It might also be worthwhile to crawl under the house after a big downpour, if it's wet, you should also put some drainage around the house so that the water doesn't get under there in the first place. If it's not wet, then a fan alone might be the solution for you.

 

The alternative could be a dehumidifier, not just a closet camel or two but an electric one.

Will set you back a few $$ but worth every cent especially if you have damp/mould issues.

Subfloor ventilation needs to be addressed as the permanent fix as it will to the bearers, joists & flooring rotting.

 

If you want good quality, try all reputable furniture store that makes real solid wood furniture.

I don't know about wardrobes but we've had problems with IKEA kitchens in our rentals not being waterproofed.

 

Already have subfloor ventilation - Though it just sucks the air out, floor is not wet, but its not dry either. So i definitely think i need multiple fans to get the air flowing underneath the house.

In winter to minimise damp/mould i run the following - at the same time.
- Dehumidifer
- Split A/C Dehumidify setting
- Ducted A/C

Such a pain these old houses.

 

Moisture's gonna **** any type of wood based product, solid timber or manufactured wood products.
If you can't remove the moisture issue, you could get a custom job made up from moisture resistant board, the type they make bathroom cabinets and **** from.
But then, the moisture still gonna go to the next absorbent material so it can breed some nasty mould.

 

@neK is it a dampcourse issue?

 

Not sure. What is the best way to check?

 

A moisture meter - most waterproofing rectification companies have a decent one about $600.

Equilibrium Moisture Content for timber & building materials is around 15%. A leak would be 40%+, flashing or dampcourse fault anything above 20%

 

@Scott No Mates do you have any recommendations for professionals who can inspect and formulate a solution where required?

 

Aldi had a crappy one for $25, not sure if it'd be worth getting one just to get some sort of indication.

 

@neK - the trades section of the local paper should have a few.

 

Considered custom made Ken? We like Granville Timber Furniture on Parramatta road. You can design it..They do have some old-ish designs though so may be you drawing up what you want could be done....

 

Wardrobes - Granville Timber Furniture - Custom made solid hardwood Blackwood, Oak and Pine timber furniture in Sydney

The online prices are way high. In the past we've gotten them to make desks for us