If you have a room without a closet and need extra storage for a treadmill, you can fabricate your own double closet with some 2-by-4 framing and drywall. It may seem like a big job, but it is only a matter of measuring and cutting a frame, then fastening drywall to it. All you need to do is measure the space and build the treadmill closet to fit that space. You may want to ask someone to help, to make the project go more quickly. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Move any furnishings from the area. Measure the height of the ceiling and record it. Decide how wide and deep you want the closet to be. In general, closets run between 4 by 6 feet and 3 by 10 feet, while walk-ins are at least 6 by 8 feet.
2. Put on eye protection and a dust mask. Cut 2-by-4-inch boards to the desired height, width and depth of the closet. If your ceiling is 8 feet high and you want a 3-foot-deep, 10-foot-wide closet, you'll cut four 7-foot 8-inch beams to frame vertically. Two 10-foot beams will run horizontally along the floor and ceiling, and two 1-foot 8-inch beams will run horizontally between the vertical beams. Four 3-foot beams form the side walls.
3. Lay the two 10-foot beams on the floor 8 feet apart. Place the four 7-foot 8-inch beams between the two 10-foot beams -- one at each end and one 24 inches from each end. That will leave about an 8-foot gap in the middle for the closet door. Attach the four wall studs to the two longer beams with a nail gun.
4. Slide a 1-foot 8-inch board horizontally between each set of studs, placing the boards in the middle. Nail them in place with a nail gun. You now have a frame.
5. Run a stud finder on the ceiling. Mark the studs with a marker. Drive screws through two 3-foot boards into the ceiling studs with a screw gun. Then screw the other two 3-foot beams to the floor. Raise the frame into its upright position. Set it against the 3-foot beams. Fasten the frame to the floor and ceiling with a screw gun.
6. Cut two 3-foot sections of drywall to form the side walls of the closet. Next, retrieve three drywall sheets. Cut one drywall panel to 2 feet wide. An average drywall panel or sheet is 8 by 4 feet. As the closet is 10 feet wide, you'll need two 4-foot panels and one 2-foot panel.
7. Fasten the drywall panels to the frame with drywall screws. Tape the joints with drywall tape. Next, apply joint compound to the taped seams with a putty knife. Let the compound dry according to the manufacturer's recommendation. Sand down the joint compound with sandpaper to even it.
8. Place your treadmill in the closet, positioning it to store the exercise machine between workouts.
9. Prime and paint the closet any color you'd like. Purchase prefabricated doors of your choosing. Hang them according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Tags: 10-foot beams, 3-foot beams, 8-inch beams, 1-foot 8-inch, 7-foot 8-inch, 7-foot 8-inch beams, according manufacturer
