ᐅ How do I secure PAX wardrobes on tile floors?

Created on: 3 Sep 2024 18:07
A
adempo
A
adempo
3 Sep 2024 18:07
Hello everyone,

I am currently facing the challenge of securing furniture from the IKEA PAX series on a tiled floor. My goal is to firmly fix the cabinets so they do not tip over or slide, especially since we have small children in the household. It is important to me that the fixing method does not damage the floor or only affects it minimally.

Could someone explain in detail which methods or fasteners are best suited for securing PAX cabinets on tiled floors? What tools are needed, what are the exact steps involved, and are there any special tips for anchoring on tiles?

I would also appreciate any experience reports regarding the stability and safety of the different methods. Thank you in advance!
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pikin
3 Sep 2024 19:32
Regarding your question about securely fixing PAX cabinets on tiled floors:

- First, it is important to choose appropriate anchors and screws suitable for tiles, such as special tile anchors or hollow wall anchors.
- Pre-drilling is mandatory; be sure to use a tile drill bit to avoid damaging the tiles.
- Whenever possible, the cabinets should be fastened to the wall, not just the floor. Wall anchors provide the necessary stability.
- If floor fixing is desired, clamp devices or non-slip furniture pads under the cabinet are recommended to increase slip resistance without drilling.

Tools: cordless drill with tile drill bit, appropriate screwdrivers, spirit level.

Please ensure that the wall condition allows drilling and no cables or pipes are damaged.

Follow-up questions: What is the thickness of the tiles and what material is the substrate underneath?
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Nabla64
3 Sep 2024 21:14
Hello adempo,

Here is a brief step-by-step guide with important tips for securely fastening your PAX wardrobes on tiled floors:

1. Preparation:
- Measure and mark where the wardrobe will stand.
- Check if wall mounting is possible (highly recommended!).

2. Drilling into tiles:
- Use a specialized tile drill bit with slow and steady pressure.
- Never use the hammer drill function.

3. Fastening:
- For the wall: Use metal expansion anchors or nylon hollow wall anchors suitable for the wall structure and wardrobe weight.
- For the floor: If wall mounting is not possible, I recommend flexible supports such as furniture stoppers or anti-slip pads, as drilling directly into tiles is risky.

4. Safety check:
- Always secure the wardrobe to the wall; the tiled floor itself does not bear any fixing load.

Common mistakes:
- Applying too much pressure when drilling – tile cracks.
- Missing secure measures against tipping.

In summary: Prioritize wall mounting, and if needed, combine it with non-slip materials on the tiled floor.

If you need more details about anchor types or wardrobe models, feel free to ask.
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Filippo
4 Sep 2024 07:59
Hello adempo,

I’d like to elaborate a bit more on this topic, as many people underestimate the specific challenges of tiled floors:

First, regarding the load: PAX wardrobes are generally not primarily fixed to the floor because this risks damaging the tiles and the screed underneath. Instead, wall mounting has historically been the safest method. Stability is mainly achieved through wall anchors that prevent the wardrobe from tipping over.

If you still want to fix it to the floor, there are two options:

- Option 1: Drilling directly into the tile and substrate.
-- In this case, you should definitely use a diamond drill bit or a high-quality tile drill bit.
-- Important: Drill slowly, without a hammer function, and with sufficient cooling (water).
-- Then insert a plug – preferably an expansion plug or cavity plug depending on the substrate.

- Option 2: Mounting on the tiles using non-slip materials.
-- Rubber pads or silicone stoppers under the furniture feet increase friction and prevent slipping.
-- Combined with passive support (wall anchors).

Tools needed: Cordless drill, tile drill bit (6–8 mm), water container for cooling, tape measure, spirit level, and suitable plugs and screws.

One more note: Other furniture manufacturers also offer special fixing systems for tiled floors – such as adhesive rails or magnetic holders – but these are not officially supported for PAX.

My question would be: How thick are the tiles and what is the substrate underneath (screed, concrete, dry screed)? The condition significantly determines the load capacity and therefore the fixing method.
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te-min
4 Sep 2024 10:23
Filippo schrieb:
Drill slowly, without hammer function, using sufficient cooling (water).

Exactly, drill carefully at the lowest speed and use water for cooling to prevent cracks in the tiles.
Nabla64 schrieb:
Always secure the cabinet to the wall, the tiled floor itself does not support fixing loads.

That’s the key point. It’s best to always attach the PAX to the wall.