Wardrobe Doors - To Keep or Not To Keep?

[Rhino33]

We have a 1980 center bath 31’ International. We had problems with a hinges on one of the wardrobe doors (which seem to weigh a ton) and it cracked. We have had a difficult time finding a replacement, so in the interim, we removed the one door. Now a hinge of the door on the other side is failing, so we removed that door. I sewed a pair of retro curtains to hide the wardrobe’s contents and don’t miss the big heavy doors.

So – a few questions:
1. Any suggestions for replacement hinges?
2. Has anyone else replaced the factory doors with something else?
3. Is it structurally okay for us to NOT have the factory doors on the wardrobe?

Thanks so much, we appreciate the help and input!

[blm1965]

I also have the center bath in my 1993 34ft Excella and just took the 3 wardrobe mirrored doors down.....they are heavy.

I am considering removing the mirrors and filling the opening with some other light weight material. maybe even aluminum sheeting.

Post pics of your final if you dont mind.

Good Luck

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Rhino33

2. Has anyone else replaced the factory doors with something else?
3. Is it structurally okay for us to NOT have the factory doors on the wardrobe?

3 - Doors are NEVER load-bearing, so it is perfectly acceptable to remove them, as long as the frames remain in place. It will not weaken the structure.

2 - One interesting possibility is to replace the doors with full-length curtains. Lightweight, quiet, and you can do neat tricks like stitching pockets to the curtain to provide extra storage. Stitch pockets to the back of ther curtains to hold things you don't need often, stitch pockets to the front to hold things you do need often.

If you go with the curtain option, electrical conduit makes an excellent custom-fitted curtain rod.