Replacing an alcove Built in Wardrobe

[sophiejazz]

I'm going to replace a 45 year old fitted wardrobe with sliding doors in an alcove. I'l be ripping the old one completely out. I'm wanting decent quality mirrored sliding doors, floor to ceiling, with good quality runners. Any advice?
Also, there are no sides or backs with the internals, it currently has a solid wood shelf about 2 feet from the ceiling, I'm presuming it is nailed into the walls wooden internal stud. I'm wanting to raise the shelf so I have double height hanging rails but suspect that the internal wall structure wont have noggins in the required place to take the weight. How can I get round this?
(In ripping it out I will need to have some plaster work done.)

 

[foxhole]

Are current walls plasterboard? You could drop in mdf sheet either side and fit shelf or hanging rail at any position.
The diy sheds like B&Q do sliding doors and kits.

 

[sophiejazz]

Are current walls plasterboard? You could drop in mdf sheet either side and fit shelf or hanging rail at any position.
The diy sheds like B&Q do sliding doors and kits.

Many thanks. One side and the back are plasterboard, the right side is external wall.

 

[bobasd]

OP,
are you saying that your inside wall skin is a timber frame ie. a stud wall?

 

[sophiejazz]

OP,
are you saying that your inside wall skin is a timber frame ie. a stud wall?

Yes, the left side and back. The right side is plaster over breeze-block.

 

[bobasd]

OP, this is just a heads up not saying this will definitely happen.

OK, thats what i was looking for - so far that masonry outer wall has been ventilated "no sides or backs".
the problem is that damp and condensation mould can appear behind any panelling tight to an external wall.
even free standing wardrobes are notorious for ending up with slimey clothes due to being tight to an external wall.
but allowing for the above when you construct your job everything should be fine.