Securing built in desk surface

[HDClown]

Between the 2 closets in my daughter's room is an area where I am doing a basic built in desk surface with dimension of 35" (W) x 27" (D)  There are no cabinets/drawers underneath, just the surface.

The support structure is just some wood strips secured to studs around the back/side walls.  The surface itself is ply that is painted.

I was just going to glue this down to the supports underneath but was wondering if I should do some kind of fastener, or not even bother? 

 

[Holmz]

Were you thinking through the closets?

 

[HDClown]

Were you thinking through the closets?

Haven't even though of that.  I was thinking either some something from the surface down to the support wood, or some L-brackets from the underside.  I have an 18 gauge pneumatic brad nailer so I could easily do that at no cost for top down, and I have a selection of L-brackets, another no cost option.  Or both, or none at all.  Never done this before so not sure what's really necessary beyond wood glue.

I'm not that worried about someone trying to pry the surface up on purpose, or pull away from the wall, or anything like that.  Only situation I would expect to happen were unexpected force would occur is if someone stood up into the bottom of the desk because they weren't paying attention.

 

[tjbnwi]

A few dabs of silicone to secure it, that way you can easily remove it at a latter date. Gravity is working with you on this one.

Tom

 

[Sparktrician]

If you don't want to use the option Tom suggested, you might use 2" wide cleats screwed to the studs on the sides and back, but pre-drill the cleats for pocket screws to hold the top in place. 

 

[HDClown]

I think I'll go with Tom's recommendation, since being able to remove the top in the future has benefits (ability to replace or refinish). 

Pocket screws would be nice, but the thicknesses of the materials I ended up having to use aren't going to really work with them.