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Building a Darkroom: Purchasing materials
Make a list of what you need to take with you to the lumber yard / hardware store.| Got It? | Quantity | Item |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pre-hung door of the width you chose earlier | |
| 1 | Ventilation fan sufficient to cycle the room air at least 10 times per hour (LxWxH/6) | |
| 1 | Air conditioner (this is the most spendy, but you'll be glad you got it) | |
| Electrical outlets (1 MUST be GFI) | ||
| 1 | Electrical switch for the fan | |
| 2x4 studs - (93" long) you need enough to put one every 16" of the walls plus 1 per wall, plus 2 more in each corner, plus 2 for framing the door and air conditioner. | ||
| 2x4's - for the top and bottom of each wall (the should be the length of your walls, not necessarily 93") and for the size of your ceiling (also every 16" plus 1) | ||
| Framing nails (2 1/2"), a bunch - depends on how big your room is, but you'll need about 6 per stud, plus about 20 for each corner, plus 8 per ceiling joist, plus another 50 or so for miscellaneous framing. | ||
| Drywall sheets, they are 4'x8', get enough to cover both sides of all walls, plus the ceiling. Make sure you get 1/2" gypsum board. | ||
| Plywood sheets, to cover the roof, 1/2" thick, AC or ACX or AD or ADX is fine. This will give you storage over the top of the darkroom, and will provide the 'other side' of the ceiling joists. (The reason we put both sides on the walls and the ceiling is to help in sealing out the light) | ||
| Drywall screws, you need about 2 per foot of stud or ceiling joist. | ||
| Romex - if you are doing in the wall wiring, or on the wall tracks if you're doing on the wall wiring, or extension cords if you're wiring that way. | ||
| 3 | Light pull sockets, one for each side (safe light), and one for the room lights. | |
| 1 pack | Shims - these are about 1 - 1 1/2" wide, and taper, they are used to shim the door when you install it. | |
| Drywall tape - get the self sticky kind with holes in it. It's the easiest to use. | ||
| Drywall mud - the bucket will say how much it should cover. | ||
