Heavy Duty College Loft Bed Assembly
Instructions
Tools
Needed
-
Power screwdriver with a Phillips #2 medium head bit.
-
Adjustable (or 9/16 In.) wrench.
-
Hammer.
Optional
Items
-
Sandpaper.
-
Wood glue.
-
Paint.
Notes
Setup
takes roughly 1 hour. It is easiest if you have two people doing it. If you are
not sure how to install a piece always refer back to the picture above to see
how everything fits together. Please read through the entire instructions to
familiarize yourself first before beginning assembly.
You
should always check the setup instructions on our web site to make sure you have
the latest version. Compare the updated date at the top of this page with the
web page updated date. If the web instructions are newer, you should download
the newer instructions.
The
wood used in your loft will typically have a (good) side and a (bad) side.
Before assembly lay all the pieces out on the floor and try to position the wood
with the “good” side facing up or out. Take into consideration which side
you usually will be climbing up on and place the best rungs and legs on that
side.
Pilot
holes have been pre drilled into all necessary pieces.
You
may want to add soap to the screws, the soap acts as a lubricant and makes
driving them into the wood easier.
Step
One
Assemble
the left ladder. Lay the left front leg and left back leg on the floor with the
notches facing up. The rail hole is positioned towards the top of the legs. Note:
For added strength you may optionally place wood glue at the base of each notch
at this point. Insert
rungs into the notches lining them up flush with the front and back legs. Use
2-1/2 In. screws to fasten each rung to the legs. Drive the screws nice and
tight. While driving the screws, make sure there is no gap between the rung and
the leg. Suggestion, drive the screw half-way into the leg, then unscrew it so
it is just comes out of the leg, then drive it all the way in. The screw should
recess about 1/4 In. into the rung to make a nice tight fit. Note, due to
temperature and humidity differences the rungs may have expanded and may need to
be slightly sanded to fit. Now repeat and assemble the right ladder.
Step
Two
From
the back insert one 5.25 In. carriage bolt into the hole of each back leg. Lay
the ladder ends on their backs as shown on right. Lay the back rail between the
ladder ends. The back rail is positioned with the shorter side above the bolts
and the longer side below the bolts. Place a washer, lock washer and nut on each
of the bolts and loosely hand tighten the nuts..
Step
Three
Lift
the unit to its upright position. From the front insert a 5.25 In. carriage bolt
into the hole in each of the front legs. From the inside place the front rail
between the front ladder ends, the ledge must be facing inside and at the bottom
of the front rail. Place a washer, lock washer and nut on each of the bolts and
loosely hand tighten the nuts.
Step
Four
Insert
the bed slats between the front and back rails, evenly spacing them apart. You
can now completely tighten the carriage bolts. Fasten the bed slats to the front
and back rails using 2-1/2 In. screws.
Step
Five
Fasten
the back rail to the back legs with four 2-1/2 In. screws at each end. Fasten
the front bed rail to the front legs with four 2˝ In. screws at each end. Place
your mattress support and mattress on the loft.
Note: The Back and Front Rails are both the same.
To save space we suggest you use a plywood platform to support the mattress.
We recommend using 1/2 In. 4-ply plywood. The plywood platform needs to be cut
to the same size as the mattress. For example, if you ordered a 39 In. x 75
In. loft, you need a 39 In. x 75 In. plywood platform. For the Full (54 In.
wide) and Queen (60 In. wide) mattress sizes, you will need 2 sheets. For the
Full (54 In. wide) size, the first plywood sheet will be 48 In. wide and the
second sheet will be 6 In. wide. For the Queen (60 In. wide) size, you will
need a 48 In. wide and 12 In. wide sheets.
If you have a bookshelf, front ladder or other options you may install them
now.
Step Six
Fasten the safety rail to the inside of the front legs 2 In. – 3 In. above
the top of the mattress with four 2-1/2 In. screws at each end.
The loft is now complete. The loft should be tight and not rock in any
direction. If it does rock, try the following: Did you use a power
screwdriver? Make sure you drive the screws nice and tight. With the 1-1/2 In.
thick wood, the screws should be recessed about 1/4 In. to make a tight fit.
Try unscrewing them one at a time and re-tightening them. What direction does
it move? When standing at the front (long rail side) does it move left to
right or front to back? If left to right then the screws in the front and back
rail should be tightened. If it moves front to back then the rungs in the
ladder ends need to be tightened. You can also place some wood glue inside the
notches before inserting the rungs. This should give you a nice tight fit.
Included in this Shipment
(4) Ladder Legs 2x6 x Standard Height Legs 69 In. or Extra Tall Legs 83 In.
(8) Ladder Rungs 2x4 x Twin 44 In., Full 59 In., Queen 65 In. (10 Rungs with
Extra Tall Legs)
(2) Front Rail 2x6 w/2x2 Ledge x Regular 75 In., Extra Long 80 In., Dorm XL 84
In.
(4) Bed Slats 1-1/2 In. thick x Twin 39 In., Full 54 In., Queen 60 In. (If you
ordered additional Weight Capacity you will receive a roll of 14 support
slats)
(1) Safety Rail 2x4 In. x Regular 75 In., Extra Long 80 In., Dorm XL 84 In.
(1) Parts Bag of Bolts & Screws Includes:
(4) Carriage Bolts 3/8 In. x 5.25 In.
(4) Each 3/8 In. Washers, Lock Washers, Hex Nuts.
(64) 2-1/2 In. Drywall Screws to fasten the Rungs to Legs, Front Rail to the
Legs and Bed Slats to the Front and Back Rails.
Warranty
National Homestore warranties its products for as long as the original owner
owns the bed. During this time we will repair or replace defective components
that we consider defective due to materials or workmanship. We will not
replace components due to user misuse, modification or improper installation.
In the event components are damaged due to user misuse, modification or
improper installation, National Homestore will replace components upon owners
request and expense.
Components that are warped, damaged or missing during shipping will be
replaced by National Homestore/ In some cases to expedite this process
we may ask the customer to purchase the replacement components locally and you
will be reimbursed for actual replacement costs.
Safety Guidelines
The Wooden College Loft Bed was designed utilizing the Consumer Products
Safety Commission (CPSC) safety guidelines for bunk beds. The loft was
designed and intended to be used for college student use, the loft should not
be used by children under the age of 6. If modifications or alterations are
made it must conform to the CPSC Document #071 requirements.
Since National Homestore cannot control the quality of the assembly nor
modifications made to the loft, we will not be held legally liable from any
accidents, injuries or property damage resulting from the use of our loft.
Because of the very nature of sleeping on an elevated surface, there are
obvious and inherent risks involved due to falling. This risk is enhanced when
consciousness is limited or impaired due to sleep, lack of sleep, illness,
consumption of alcohol, taking medications, inhalation of smoke/fumes or
similar factors. The loft is an all natural wood product and will burn when
fire or sufficient heat is present. Elevated beds may also create obstructions
or impediments that increase the hazards encountered in a fire or other
emergency by hindering evacuation or fire suppression activities. Customers
who choose to use our loft shall be deemed to have assumed all risks of
accidents, injury and property damage associated with their use.
As a general safety precaution do not place the loft near any window, door,
closet, fire/smoke alarm or ceiling fan. All college residence halls have
specific requirements regarding the use and placement of lofts and students
are required to follow all college requirements. The safety rail must be in
use at all times.
Safety
Rails Must Be Used At All Times