Sagging free standing cupboards problem

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March 4, 2006 at 5:17 pm #6256

Phil66

Hello

all,

We have just had a kitchen fitted. We have a peninsula in between the dining and kitchen area. Over the peninsula

are some cupboards. These are attached to the external wall at one end and on a leg the other. The assembly is made of a

central double cupboard with a single cupboard a single cupboard attached to each end. The whole assembly is 2metres long.

Solid oak doors are on both sides of the units. Underneath are two rails made of 20mm square section tubing which is about 2mm

thick. Each rail is made up of two 1 meter lengths which overlap by 25cm. These are screwed to the underside of the cupboard

assembly.

The problem is that the cupboards sag in the middle by around 15mm which looks unsightly and also makes the

doors impossible to line up. The supplier/fitter has replaced the support for an identical one thinking the first was faulty.

Problem not solved. He then called out the carcass manufacturer and they confirmed that the support is not substantial enough.

The company who supply the support only make that particular version.

Our fitter/supplier now wants to visit a friend

of ours house as they have a similar feature that does not sag, and he wants to see how it is fixed. Problem is they are out

of the country for a few weeks.

I have decided to do some research on my own. Can anyone tell me where to go for one of

these supports and also what the correct name for them is so that I know what to ask for.

Many thanks.

Phil
March 6, 2006 at 10:00 pm #6261

timfoley

Hi Phil,

The configuration is unstable and no amount of support will act as a similar strength to a unit fixed

directly to the wall.
It does appear that the existing configuration does not spread the support sufficiently or evenly

enough to prevent the sagging problem.

Available through suppliers is what is know as a peninsular support frame

specifically designed for this purpose and although it appears you do have one, it may not have sufficient strength in the

centre to prevent the sagging. This may be a design fault and if a joint is employed in the centre as your post suggests then

this will weaken it’s strength as a support.
I suspect that because of the length of your units, the support frame will

not be enough and that an additional suppoprt leg across the support joint or overlap will rectify the problem.
March 6, 2006 at 10:50 pm #6263

Phil66

I really

didn’t want a second leg. Do you know of anybody that would make a support frame that is suitable?
Being an engineer I

knew that the support wasn’t subsantial enough when I first saw it before fitting. I am surprised that nobody makes a heavy

duty version. Every frame I have looked at on the internet is the same as the one fitted to our cupboards.
We really like

the kitchen/diner as it is and think that a second leg would spoil the elegance of it all.
Thanks for you help
Phil
March 7, 2006 at 10:54 am #6264

timfoley

Phil,

I understand what you are saying and it may be

that your best alternative is to approach a steel fabricator in this regard. A one piece frame with braced cross members will

not be beyond them.

Aside from this you might try specialist kitchen ironmongery manufacturers such as Hafele who have

a technical helpline at 01788 548800.
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