Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 6/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi.  Thank you for being on this site.  We have an approx. 2 foot deep by 104 inch wide/long 'window seat'  It is built extending out from the bottom of the large window, into the room, the 2 feet out.  And then drops down to floor.  It seems to be basically hollow construction; just framing perhaps along window and along front length, probably where it joins walls on each end.  I want to put 3 dressers along it (it is totally unused space; and we
need storage).  Dressers are 103 lbs w/o contents.  I can place the front of dresser flush with front length of window seat.  They only are 19" deep.  So they don't go from any possible front edge framing to the other framing
along front of window.  Trying to figure out how to either shore up this structure, or better, how to most successfully disperse the weight using the framing (without adding too much additional weight in the process).  Would just strips under each side of bureau that extend from frame to frame possibly work?  Or should it be a solid panel/piece of plywood or something, on
entire window seat, from framing to framing all the way around?  Sorry if this is convoluted.  It's hard for me to try and describe.  Just really don't want the hollow window seat to collapse (and then dressers to drop from 3rd story to 2nd story through floor/ceiling)!  If this is just a bad idea, I'd rather know now.  But I was really hoping to somehow make it stable to hold the bureaus.  I have walked along hollow 'window seat' - but am 130 lbs and distribute weight.  A very large friend sat on edge (they are closer to 300 lbs, for real) and we noticed some cracking in the paint.  I think it is just sheetrock, hollow all the way across; no support except maybe edges.
Also, would anchoring support beam or panel to window framing somehow help take 'load off'?  thanks - Pamela

ANSWER: Hi Pamela, you can take the window seat out if you are worried about it holding the weight.  Or you can install a piece of 3/4" plywood on top of the window seat if the top of the seat is soft drywall and you are afraid that the feet of the dresser will punch through the drywall.  Chances are that the front wall of the window seat is framed up with 2x4 studs and there is a ledger board along the outside wall to attach the top of the window seat to.  This construction is probably adequate enough to hold the weight of the dressers if the top of the window seat is beefed up a bit with the added plywood.  I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com

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QUESTION: Thank you, sir.  You are indeed a gentleman.  I've read some of your other posts.  I appreciate the informative, clear and nice reply.  Can't remove window seat, as we are renting :)  3/4" sounds great.  Dressers are more on solid platform, not legs per se (Ikea/Malm/4dwr).  Perhaps this also disperses the weight better?  Again, kind regards, and thank you for helping so many!  Pamela

ANSWER: Hi again Pamela, if the dressers have solid bottoms then they should distribute the weight evenly enough without the need of the plywood.  I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com



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QUESTION: Hm.  Okay.  It's just window seat is 24 inches deep.  Bureaus are 19 inches deep.  So if I load bureau on front edge of window seat, back of bureau doesn't stretch to other framing for support.  Thoughts?  You are truly a godsend.  Pamela/Miel  (trying to protect my landlord's property and not harm anything - esp. not have the things crush the nice window seat construct)

Answer
Hi again Pamela, if the window seat is drywall or some other not so stable material then I would opt for the 3/4" plywood to cover the entire 24" depth.   I would cut the plywood so that the grain runs front to back (cross cut). This gives the wood more strength when spanning from the front to back bearing points.  Home Depots and Lowes provide cutting services so you can have them cut the material to fit for you and most of them have pre cut plywood in 24"x48" pieces. Based on your dimensions you would need two pieces 24" x 48" and one small piece 24" x 6"..or just the two 24"x 48" and leave a couple of inches gap between them and on each side.  This way you can set your dressers anywhere to the front or back as you require.  Okay?  I hope this info helps please write again as needed regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com