Triple Bunk Bed Finished

We were able to finish the triple bunk bed this last Saturday.  We are very pleased with the results!
Instructions below so you can make it too.

The triple bunk beds

I will try to explain the measurements and process below but if you want to see photos you can click through my other posts: First Post, Second Post 

Our ceilings are 9ft  so we have little more room then those with normal height ceilings.  The extra room makes it so an adult can kind of sit on the bed, but this bed could easily be adjusted to whatever size ceilings you have or also be made as a regular bunk bed instead of a triple bunk bed.

The Process

1. Build the Bed Frames:  (I will explain the process for one bed...do it three times if you want three beds)

    a. Cut two 2x4s so they are 78 inches long

    b. Cut two 2x4s so they are 39 inches long

    c. Line up the outside end of your 39 inch board with the end of your 78 inch board. 

    d. Screw three screws from the outside of the 78 inch board through the top end of your 39 inch board.

    e. Repeat 3 more times until you have the outside of the bed frames complete.

2. Add Side Supports:  ( Also do this step three times for three beds.  We did it later but would be easier to do now) 

    a. Cut 2 side supports (2x2x77).  

    b. Screw one on each bottom of the 78 inch boards.  So when the bed is laying flat on the ground the 2x2x77 would also be flat on the ground. 

3. Add Roll Guard: (do twice...once for each top bunk.  We did this later but can be done now)

    a. Cut a 1x4 so it is 77 inches

    b. Cut two 2x2 so it is 14 inches (or longer if you want higher rails)

    c. Screw the two 2x2x14 inch boards into the 77 inch boards leaving one inch on either side.

    d. Screw the two 2x2x14 inch boards centered onto the outside of the bed frame

4. Build Ladder:

    a. Cut three 2x4s so they are 77 1/2 inches long.

    b. Cut two 2x4s so they are 42 inches long

    c. Cut three 2x4s so they are 22 1/2 inches long

    d. Lay down the 77 1/2 inch long boards.  They should be 42 inches from one board all the way to the third board.  The middle board should be centered at 21 inches.

    e. Lay the bottom two steps that are 42 inches long across all three board.  The first one we started 11 inches up the board.  The next one was spaced 9 3/4 inches above that one (making it so the middle of the boards are spaced evenly).  

    f. Drill and Screw a total of 6 screws into each of the 42 inch boards (two per 77 1/2 inch boards).

    g. Lay down the smaller steps (22 1/2 inch boards) on the last two board (whichever side you don't want your opening for the middle bed).  They are also spaced 9 3/4 inches above the lower board. (Leaving 11 inches at the top and creating equal spacing).

    h. Drill and Screw a total of 4 screws into each of the 22 1/2 inch boards (two per 77 1/2 inch board).

5. Paint desired color (you don't have to paint the sides that will be screwed into the wall).

6. Install into the wall in desired bedroom

    a. Bring all the pieces into the bedroom before attaching ladder (so it fits!)

    b. Lay the bed frames on their sides spaced out 77 inches.

    c. Lay ladder next to the end you want to attach it and make sure everything lines up just right and that the supports for your beds are on the bottom of the frame, not the top!

    c. Attach ladder to bed frames (we just screwed the top two frames in their spots and added the bottom later).

    d. Support the bed as you stand it up right.  We put wooden supports under each frame near the walls to help hold them up.

    e. Use a level to make sure they flat.

    f. Find the studs (with a stud finder) and screw through the bed frame into the studs (our long side at 5 studs, short side had 2). 

    g. To place the bottom bed we had to cut through the baseboard.  I pried it away with a putty knife hammering it between the wall and the baseboard.  Then sawed through the baseboard at the two spots it would meet the bed.

7. Add Supports (do three times for three beds)

    a. Cut five 1x4 to be 39 inches long

    b. Space out evenly on top of the side supports (1X4X77)

    c. Screw one screw into each end of each board attaching it

8. Add Plywood (do three times for three beds)

    a. Cut plywood 74 1/2 X 38 3/4 inches

    b. Set on top of supports

9. Finish

    a. Put mattresses directly on top of the plywood and let kids enjoy!