Loft Bed - Bunk Bed - High Rise Bed
Assembly Instructions
(Updated 3/17/10)
Loft Bed with
Optional Shelves and Desktop
High Rise Bed with Optional Double Bookshelf
Tools Needed
Cordless drill/screwdriver with a phillips #2 medium head bit. Adjustable (or 9/16") wrench. Hammer or rubber mallet.
Optional: sandpaper
& primer/paint or stain.
Note: If you use a regular electric drill, it
needs to have an adjustable torque setting so as to not strip the screws into
the wood.
Notes
This set of instructions are for the Loft, Bunk and High Rise Beds. The High Rise
Bed is assembled the same as the Loft Bed except it is shorter and doesn't have
a safety rail. The parts bag have enough screws for the Extra Tall 83"
Loft Legs. It is ok if you end up with extra screws since we include
extras in the packaging.
Setup takes roughly 1½ hours. 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
pictures above to see how everything fits together. Please read through
the entire instructions first to familiarize yourself before beginning
assembly.
You should always check our setup instructions at www.collegebedlofts.com/setup.html to make sure you have the latest
version. Compare the updated date at the top of the printed instructions with the web
page updated date. If the web instructions are newer, you should use the
newer instructions from our web site. We update the instructions often
from customer's suggestions.
The wood used in your loft will typically have a “good” side
and a “bad” side. The bad side will usually have a lumber grading stamp or some
imperfections. 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 predrilled into all necessary pieces,
they do not go all the way through the wood.
You may want to add soap to the screws, the soap acts as a
lubricant and makes driving them into the wood easier.
Lumber Sizing: 2x2's are actually 1½"
x 1½",
2x4's are actually 1½" x 3½", 2x6's are 1½" x 5½".
Safety
Think safety when using power tools, hammers and drills.
Wear gloves. Watch for splinters near the end grain of the wood.
Provide adequate ventilation when sanding, painting or staining.
Leg Height
If you ordered the Extra Tall 83" Legs and have a low ceiling
and you asked us to not cut the legs, it may be difficult to enter the loft by
climbing over the top rung.
To remedy this, the top rung of the
ladder that will be used to enter the loft does not need to be installed. Once
the loft has been assembled and the mattress mounted, the top rung may be added
later on if needed. Leaving the top rung off on one ladder side of the loft
will not affect the stability or weight capacity, it will still be just as
sturdy and have the same weight capacity. In this case we will include in
your shipment 2 Rung Caps that may be used to fill in the open notches if the
top rung is not installed.
Step One
Note: If you ordered the Round Top Legs and Double Bookshelf Headboard,
you will receive two round tops and two square top legs. Make sure you
assemble the round tops to be on the same end. The Double Bookshelf
Headboard is placed on the top of the Square Top Legs. If you ordered the
bunk bed kit, make sure the rail holes all lined up at the same height from the
floor.
Assemble the left
ladder. The four legs are all the same and may be used for either the left
or right side or the front or back. 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. Place a small bead of wood glue at the base and sides of each notch and
spread it out evenly covering the entire notch. Insert the 2x4 rungs
(rungs have 2 pilot holes at each end) into the notches
lining them up flush with the side of the front and back legs. If it is a tight fit,
it can be sanded or use a rubber mallet or hammer to push the rung into the bottom of the notch.
If using a hammer, hammer against a scrap piece of lumber so as to not dent the
rungs. Use 2½” 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 base of the notch. Suggestion,
slowly 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
1/8” 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. The glue will take
about 2 hours to dry. Do not use the loft or put any pressure on the ladder rungs while the glue is
drying.
Step
Two
From the back insert one 4" carriage bolt into the hole of each back leg. Lay the
ladder ends on their backs as shown above. 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" 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 (slats have 1 pilot hole at each end) between the front and back rails,
evenly spacing them (roughly 3") apart. Fasten all the bed slats
(except the first and last) to the front
and back rails using 2½” screws. The pilot holes at the ends are very
close to the edge and if it is split it is ok as the screw is only used to
prevent the slat from moving around. The screw itself doesn't add any
support or stability to the loft. Our bed slat system provides 1000 lbs.
of support. Depending on how your existing spring frame or box spring is
setup, you may not need to use all of them. For each slat removed, it
reduces the total weight capacity by roughly 50 lbs.
Step Five
You may now
completely tighten the carriage bolts.
Fasten the back
rail to the back legs with four 1⅝" screws at each end. Fasten the front bed
rail to the front legs with four 2½” screws at each end.
You may now fasten the first and last bed slat
to the front and back rail using
2½” screws. Place your
mattress on the loft. If you ordered a bunk bed, you must now assemble the
bottom section. If you have a
bookshelf, front ladder, desktop or other options you may install them now.
If you have a clock
shelf and square top legs it can be installed to the top of any leg with two 1⅝" screws.
If you have round top legs, attach the clock shelf to the 2x2x4" and to the
round top legs as shown above.
The Accessory Shelf can be installed anywhere on the front rail with
1⅝" screws.
Step Six
Fasten the safety rail to the inside of the front legs
2” – 3” above the top of the mattress with
four 1⅝” screws at each end. If you have a double bookshelf, install
the safety rail just below the Shelf Side Support. The Safety Rail must be in
use at all times and it does add additional stability to the entire loft system.
After completing installation, let the loft sit as
the wood glue will take
about 2 hours to dry. Do not use or put any pressure on the ladder rungs
or loft while the glue is
drying.
After the wood glue has dried,
the loft should be tight and
not rock in any direction more than
½”. If it does rock, try the following. Did you use a cordless drill/screwdriver?
Make sure your drive the screws nice and tight, but do not strip the wood. With
the 1½”
thick softwood, the screws should be recessed about 1/8" to make a
tight fit. Try un-screwing them very slowly one at a time and re-tighten slowly.
If you use a regular electric drill, make sure it has an adjustable chuck to
adjust the tension on the screws, without an adjustable chuck, a regular drill
will strip the screws into the wood. If you do strip the wood, you can
fill the hole with toothpicks and a little wood glue and give it time to dry,
then re-install screws.
If the loft rocks more than
½”, what direction does it
move? When standing at the front rail (the long side) does it move left to
right or front to back?
If it moves front to back then the rungs are moving inside
the notched legs. Did you coat the inside of the notches with the wood
glue we provided? Remember,
the wood glue will take
about 2 hours to dry. Do not use or put any pressure on the ladder rungs while the glue is
drying. Once the glue sets, the rungs and legs will become basically
one piece and there should be no movement between them. Try adding a third
screw to the rungs in-between the two existing screws, drive it into the wood
slowly at an alternating up and down angle. If you have a small drill bit,
use it to drill a pilot hole first to prevent the wood from splitting.
If it moves left to right then the screws in the front and
back rails should be checked. You may add additional screws to the front and
back rails (see pictures below), spacing them roughly 3" apart. Also, drive the new screws at
an alternating left and right angle, angled screws provides better support.
The carriage bolt should be tight and the rounded end should be recessed about
1/16" into the wood. The carriage bolt is primarily used to support the
weight and the screws provide the stability.
Example of Back Rail and Front Rail with more
screws to further stabilize the left to right movement.
Included in this Shipment
(4) Ladder Legs 2x6 x Standard Height Legs 69”
or Extra Tall Legs 83” or
High Rise Bed 40"
(8) Ladder Rungs 2x4 x Twin 44”, Full 59”, Queen
65”, Extra Tall Legs have 10 Rungs,
High Rise Legs have 4
Rungs, all Rungs have 2 pilot holes at each end
(1) Front Rail 2x6 w/2x2 Ledge x Regular 75”,
Extra Long 80”, Dorm XL 84”
(1) Back Rail ½” x 9" Plywood w/2x2 Ledge x Regular
75”, Extra Long 80”, Dorm XL 84”
(1) Bed Slat Set 1½” thick x Twin 39”, Full 54”,
Queen 60”,
slats have 1 pilot hole at each end
(1) Safety Rail ¾” x 2-1/4” MDF x Regular 75”,
Extra Long 80”, Dorm XL 84”
(not included
with High Rise Bed)
Parts Bag of
Bolts & Screws Includes
(2) Carriage Bolts 3/8” x 4”
(2) Carriage Bolts 3/8” x 5”
(4) Each 3/8” Washers, Lock Washers, Hex Nuts
(80) 2½” Screws
(16) 1⅝” Screws
(1) Glue
Warranty
College Bed Lofts warrantees its beds for as
long as the original purchaser owns it. We will repair or replace
individual components that we consider defective due to materials or
workmanship. This warranty does not cover damage of components due to user
misuse, abuse, accident, modification, improper installation or normal wear and
tear. Components that are warped, damaged or missing during shipping will
be replaced by College Bed Lofts.
For both the initial installation and warranty
period, we may ask the customer to purchase the replacement components locally
and they will be reimbursed for actual replacement costs.
Warranty does not cover any installation costs.
The customer is responsible for performing the original installation and any warranty
repair.
Our beds are made from unfinished softwood lumber, which may
contain multiple loose knots, nicks, scratches, marks, stamps and minor
imperfections, which is normal. The bed slats are also unfinished and have
not been sanded.
We require that the loft be assembled within 30 days of
delivery. If left unassembled for a longer period of time, under some
climate conditions unfinished wood may shrink or warp and some of the pieces may not
fit properly. The warranty is void if the loft is not assembled within 30
days of arrival.
Return Policy
Refunds will only be granted up
to 30 days after receipt of your loft. Orders cancelled prior to shipping will
receive a full refund. For orders cancelled after shipping, customer must pay
for the original shipping cost and shipping cost to return the loft to us or
another location. Returned units will be inspected, if returned unit is
undamaged and in new condition the customer will receive a refund of the
purchase price less the original shipping cost less a 10% return processing and
restocking fee. If damaged due to improper packaging during the return, the
customer will receive a refund less the cost to repair or replace the damaged
components, less the original shipping costs, less the 10% return processing and
restocking fee.
The following lofts may not be returned nor refunded:
Customized lofts; painted lofts; lofts purchased in a group discount program;
lofts purchased in a fundraising program; loft purchased in bulk using a
purchase order.
Prior to returning the unit to
us, the customer must contact us to obtain a Return Authorization (RA) number,
the RA number must be written on all returned packages. Lofts returned without
RA numbers will not be refunded. Send Returns to: College Bed Lofts, 382
Upper Oakwood Ave., Elmira, NY 14903.
Safety Guidelines
The College Bed Loft was
designed utilizing the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) safety
guidelines for bunk beds. The loft should not be used by children under the age
of 6. If modifications or alternations are made it must conform to the
CPSC Document #071 requirements.
Since College Bed Lofts cannot
control the quality of the assembly nor modifications made to the loft, Eastbay
Solutions Group, LLC (College Bed Lofts) 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.
Eastbay Solutions Group, LLC - College Bed Lofts,
382 Upper Oakwood Ave.
Elmira, NY 14903
607-739-2331
www.CollegeBedLofts.com
The safety rail must be in use at all times.
Loft Bed Bookshelf
(Optional)
Double Bookshelf
Single Bookshelf
This set of instructions is for the Double and
Single Bookshelf for the tall loft bed (69" or 83" legs). If you ordered the High Rise Bed, the assembly
instructions are at .
The Double
Bookshelf is placed above the bed.
The Single
Bookshelf is placed below the bed, typically on the third rung
from the bottom.
Double Bookshelf
is built separately first, then attached to the legs at the last step.
Attach the 2x4x5½”
Shelf Supports to the Shelf Sides 1¾" from the bottom using 2½” screws.
The Shelf Support will extend below the sides by 1-3/4" which will be used to
attach to the loft legs later on. Attach the bottom shelf to the supports
with 1⅝” screws. Attach the 2x2x5½” Shelf Supports to the Shelf
Sides 7" from the top using 2½” screws.
Attach the top shelf to the supports with 1⅝” screws. Attach the
Backboards with 1¼” nails. The bottom of the backboards should be flush
with the bottom of the shelves. Place nails into each corner of the
backboard and into the back edge of the shelves every 12". Attach the
complete unit to the top of the loft legs with 2½” screws.
Please note that the backboard is required to support the shelf.
Single Bookshelf
Attach the
2x2x4" Shelf
Supports to the Legs using
2½” screws. Attach the Shelf with
1⅝” screws. Attach the Backboard with 1¼” nails.
Please Note: If the back rail interferes with the single bookshelf, you
can flip the back rail upside down to get more clearance.
Double Bookshelf Parts List
Single Bookshelf Parts List
(2) Shelves ¾” x 7” MDF (1) Shelf ¾” x 7” MDF
(2) Shelf Sides 2x6 x 15” - 18"
(2) Shelf Supports 2x2x4”
(2) Shelf Leg Supports 2x4x5½”
(1) Backboard 1/8" x 6½” Hardboard
(2) Shelf Supports 2x2x5½”
(6) 1¼” Nails
(2) Backboard 1/8" x 6½” Hardboard
(4) 1⅝” Screws
(12) 1¼” Nails
(4) 2½” Screws
(12) 1⅝” Screws
(12) 2½” Screws
Shelf
Lengths 41" (twin), 56"
(full) or 63" (queen)
Long Shelf & Desk Shelf
(Optional)
Front View
Back View
Long Shelf may be attached anywhere to the back legs, typically
though it is attached at the height of the third rung and may be used to support the single bookshelf.
Desk Shelf
is attached to the back legs, typically at the height of the second rung and may
be used to support the desktop.
Please note: The Shelf Support (the long
2x4), sometimes due to temperature and humidity differences may be slightly
warped. This will typically correct itself when it is attached to the back legs.
If it is warped, first screw in the end of where you will be climbing up and then screw in the
other end. The slight warpage will not be noticeable and will not affect
the stability of the shelf.
Attach the Shelf Support (long 2x4)
to the back legs using (8) 2½" screws.
You may also use the end of the shelf support to support the end of the single
bookshelf or the desktop (see above picture). Attach the Shelf to the
Shelf Support using 1⅝" screws. The back of the shelf should be flush
with the back of the legs. Attach the Backboard to the back legs with four 1⅝" screws into the corners.
Attach the Backboard to the shelf with 1¼” nails
every 12" into the
back edge of the shelf. Please note that the backboard is required to
support the shelf.
Long Shelf & Desk Shelf Parts List
(1) Long Shelf MDF ¾” x 7” x 63" (regular), 68"
(XL) or 72" (XXL)
(1) Desk Shelf MDF ¾” x 7” x 51" (regular), 56"
(XL) or 60" (XXL)
(1) Shelf Support 2x4 x 75" (regular), 80" (XL)
or 84" (XXL)
(1) Backboard 1/8" x 6½” x 75"
(regular), 80" (XL) or 84" (XXL) Hardboard
(8) 2½” Screws
(10) 1⅝” Screws
(8) 1¼” Nails
Youth Safety Rails
(Optional)
Safety Rail Brace
The Youth Safety Rails are double safety rails on three sides and half way across on one
ladder side. The front and back (long side) safety rails are mounted to the inside of
the legs, the left and right (short side) safety rails are mounted to the outside of the
legs.
If you have a double bookshelf, install
the safety rail just below the Shelf Side Support.
The bottom safety
rail must be positioned 2” – 3” above the top of the mattress. The top safety
rail is placed 2” – 3” above the bottom safety rail. On the ladder
entrance side, position the Safety Rail Brace connecting the top two ladder
rungs, fasten with four 2½” screws. If a Front Ladder is used then the
Safety Rail Brace and Half Length End Safety Rails are not provided.
Please make sure
there is no more than a 3" gap between the mattress and the safety rails
anywhere on the bed.
Included in this Shipment
(4) Full Length Safety Rails for the Front and
Back
(2) End Safety Rails or (4) if Front Ladder is
used
(2) Half Length End Safety Rails (not supplied
if Front Ladder is used)
(1) Safety Rail Brace 2x4 x 29” (not supplied if
Front Ladder is used)
(48) 1⅝” Screws
(4) 2½” Screws
Note: Safety Rails are made from MDF and are ¾”
x 2¼”
Desktop
(Optional)
The Desktop may be placed either underneath the
loft or at the end of the loft, and either on the left or right side. It is attached to the second rung.
Installation
Attach the
desktop to the second rung using 2½" screws from underneath. Use the
predrilled pilot holes in the desk frame to connect the desk top to
the rung. Keep in mind the desktop will need to be supported until the
side braces are added.
Make sure the desktop is level. Attach the Left Angle Brace to the desktop
and to the leg as shown in the above picture. Now attach the Right Angle
Brace to the desktop and to the leg as shown in the above picture. If you
decide to not paint or stain the loft, we do recommend at least
finishing the desktop to preserve the writing surface. It can either be
painted or stained.
Included in this Shipment
(1) Desktop ¾” x 20” x 41" Twin 56" Full or 62"
Queen
(1) Left Angle Brace 2x4 x 19”
(1) Right Angle Brace 2x4 x 19”
(16) 2½” Screws
Bunk Bed
(Optional)
The
bottom front and back rails are assembled the same way as the top rails. From the back insert the one 4" carriage
bolt into the bottom hole of each back leg. Place the back rail between the
ladder ends. Place a washer, lock washer and nut on each of the bolts and
loosely hand tighten the nuts. From the front insert the 5" carriage bolt
into the bottom hole in the front legs. From the inside place the front
rail between the ladder ends. Place a washer, lock washer and nut on each of
the bolts and loosely hand tighten the nuts. Insert the bed slats between the
rails, evenly spacing them apart. You can now completely tighten the carriage
bolts. Fasten the bed slats to the rails using 2½” screws. Fasten the back
rail to the back legs with 1⅝" screws. Fasten the front rail to the front
legs with 2½” screws. The bunk is now complete
Included in this Shipment
(1) Front rail (2x6 w/2x2 ledge)
(1) Back rail (½” plywood w/2x2 ledge)
(1) Bed Slat Set 1½” thick x Twin 39”, Full 54”,
Queen 60”, slats have 1 hole at each end
(2) Carriage Bolts 3/8” x 4”
(2) Carriage Bolts 3/8” x 5”
(4) Each 3/8” Washers, Lock Washers, Hex Nuts
Front Ladder
(Optional)
The Front Ladder is
assembled similar to the ladder ends. Lay the legs on the floor with the
notches facing up.
Place a small bead of wood glue at the
base and sides of each notch and spread it out evenly covering the entire notch.
Insert rungs into the notches lining them up flush with the outside of the
legs. Use 2½” 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 1/8” 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.
The Front Ladder
may be attached to either the left or right side of the loft. From behind each
rung use four (4) 2½” screws to fasten the leg to the existing loft leg. From
behind the front rail, use two (2) 2½” screws to fasten each leg to the front
rail.
Fasten the safety
rail to the inside of the front legs 2” - 3” above the mattress with 1 5/8”
screws.
Included in this Shipment
(2) Front Ladder Legs (4) Ladder Rungs for 69” legs or (5) for 83”
legs
High Rise Bed
Double Bookshelf
(Optional)
This set of instructions is for the High Rise
Bed Double Bookshelf. If you ordered the tall loft bed (69" or 83" legs), the
Double Bookshelf
assembly instructions are at
Loft Bed Bookshelf Assembly Instructions.
Attach the Shelf Support (2x2x5½") at roughly 7" and 14" from the top using 2½" screws. Note: The shelves may be
placed at any height you need, the 7" & 14" are only suggestions.
Screw the bottom shelf first then the top shelf to the Shelf
Supports using 1⅝" screws.
Attach the two Shelf Backboards using 1¼" nails.
The bottom of the backboards should be flush with the bottom of the shelves.
Place nails into each corner of the backboard and into the back edge of the
shelves every 12". Note that the backboard is required to support the
shelf.
Included in this Shipment
(2) Shelves ¾” x 7” MDF
(4) Shelf Supports 2x2x5½”
(2) Backboard 1/8” x 6½” Hardboard