ᐅ What assembly tips are there for installing Ikea Brimnes furniture in older buildings?

Hello everyone, I am currently facing the challenge of assembling an Ikea Brimnes wardrobe in my apartment. The apartment is in an older building with slightly uneven walls and partly older plaster surfaces. My question is: What assembly tips are there specifically for the Ikea Brimnes in older buildings? I am particularly interested in how to securely attach the wardrobe to the walls of an older building, which specifics I should consider regarding the wall materials (e.g., partly crumbling plaster, varying wall thicknesses), and whether there are any special wall plugs or mounting methods you would recommend. Any advice on potential pitfalls when installing in older buildings would also be very helpful. Thank you in advance!

In general, when installing the Ikea Brimnes in older buildings, especially if the walls are uneven or the plaster is problematic, it is important to ensure a secure anchoring. This means:

- Use heavy-duty anchors or specialized cavity anchors, depending on whether the wall is solid or hollow.
- Before installation, check the condition of the plaster; if it is crumbly, it is advisable to prepare the anchor holes with a suitable filler and allow it to dry.
- It is recommended to additionally secure the cabinet to the wall with brackets to prevent movement that could further damage the plaster.
- Always use a spirit level, as uneven walls without compensation can cause issues with closing the cabinet doors.

These measures ensure a secure hold and help avoid damage to the older building.

To address the specific challenges of installing the Ikea Brimnes in older buildings, here is a detailed procedure:

- First, a thorough analysis of the wall structure is necessary. Walls in older buildings can be made of solid masonry, sometimes built with bricks, or constructed with drywall/plasterboard. Depending on this, the choice of anchors varies significantly.
- If the plaster is old and unstable, it can be stabilized by scoring and applying a primer before inserting the anchors.
- For solid walls, I recommend high-strength universal anchors or even metal anchors, which provide a secure hold.
- For hollow walls, special cavity anchors with a spread mechanism are the best choice to prevent pull-out.
- Since walls in older buildings are often somewhat uneven, the cabinet should be leveled using wedges or spacers before mounting so that it sits flush. Afterwards, suitable washers or wooden shims can be fixed at the wedge points.
- When screwing in, always start with low torque to avoid cracking the plaster.
- If possible, it is also worthwhile to secure the cabinet at two points at the top, as this distributes the load more effectively.

What does the wall look like in your case exactly? That could help provide even more targeted advice.

bapar schrieb:
What does the wall look like in your case exactly? That could help provide more targeted advice.

Thank you for the detailed response! The walls are made of brickwork covered with lime plaster. The plaster is somewhat crumbly in places and has been repaired once or twice over the past decades, although not always professionally finished. As a result, there are some minor irregularities, especially in certain areas. I should probably repair any fixing holes beforehand to ensure the anchors hold properly, right? I want to secure the cabinet firmly and avoid the risk of it loosening or failing over time due to stress.

DARIOPI schrieb:
I should probably repair the fixing holes a bit beforehand to ensure the anchors hold, right?

Exactly, you've hit the nail on the head. For lime plaster with crumbly areas, it is definitely advisable to prepare the drill holes:

- Old holes need to be chipped out and cleaned thoroughly.
- Then prime with a penetrating primer to improve adhesion.
- Small defects should be filled with mortar or filler and allowed to fully cure.

Regarding the anchors, the following options make sense:

- Heavy-duty metal anchors work well in stable areas of the plaster and masonry.
- For crumbly spots, you can also use chemical anchors combined with resin, which guarantee better hold.

Make sure the anchors are properly sized for the weight of the assembled Brimnes cabinet. Multiple fixing points help distribute the load more effectively.

For installing the Ikea Brimnes in older apartment buildings, I recommend the following procedure:

- Preparation:
- Carefully inspect the wall and level any uneven areas with filler.
- Drill holes using the appropriate drill, preferably a hammer drill for brick walls.

- Anchors & Screws:
- Use combined anchors such as Fischer DUOPOWER or heavy-duty anchors for brick walls.
- For hollow or crumbling plaster areas, use chemical anchors with a resin/adhesive bond.

- Installation:
- First, assemble the Brimnes loosely.
- Position the cabinet against the wall using a spirit level.
- Do not tighten the screws too much to avoid damaging the material.
- Always secure the cabinet at the designated fixing points, ideally in two or more places at the top to distribute the load.

- Finishing:
- After installation, check all screws again to ensure they are firmly secured.
- Use washers if needed to prevent pressure marks on the cabinet.

This step-by-step guide ensures that the Brimnes is mounted securely and stably, even in an older building.