Building a Closet

Get heavy duty ceiling tracks - not floor tracks.

Most contractors would likely use metal studs, but 2x4's are what you would use if employing wood. Carefully consider the depth. If for hanging clothes, you may want to add an inch or two for a total interior depth from the inside of the door to the back wall of 2'2" just to be sure nothing rubs the doors.

For a closet that shallow and tall, make sure to make the header as narrow/short as possible. This will enable you to install deeper shelves overhead.

Kylewest is correct,

In Manhattan, because of fire codes we use metal track and studs, you can use 5/8" sheetrock and ask for more studs if you want it very solid

So my contractor is using 2x4 to frame the closet? Is that better/worst than using metal studs in terms of usefulness? I'm assuming metal studs is much more expensive than 2x4?

Thank you!

Primer explained that wood is against fire codes in NYC. Whatever the cost of metal studs you are talking about a silly small amount of money for those materials. It isn't "better" or "worse." It is legal versus illegal.

I wanted to be able to screw some things into the closet wall both inside and out, so during construction I asked our GC to put come plywood inside the walls at the points i would later anchor things (a marble console table top, some hooks). Worked out great. If you are going to customize the closet (I highly recommend Creative Closets: http://www.creativeclosets.info/) you don't need to worry about any of this because the customized shelving supports itself.

Hofo,

If done correctly you should not have a problem using metal studs, I assume the contractor is supplying materials, I would be surprised if he said it would cost more.

in the real world, house walls are framed with 2x4s, so yes they would be fine for your closet. Since this is not the real world, you will use metal studs.