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What kind of wood do you use to build closet shelves?
Whether you are replacing old cabinet drawers or are starting a project from scratch, one of the most versatile and dependable closet shelving materials you can use is plywood. This type of wood is a terrific choice for closet shelves because it’s very strong and resistant to sagging and warping.
How thick should Wood be for closet shelves?
The minimum thickness you need for shelves is 1/2 inch, but if you plan to load them with heavy items, use 3/4-inch plywood.
How do you build closet shelves?
How to Install Plywood Shelves in a Closet STEP 1: REMOVE ANY EXISTING SHELVES. Remove any existing shelves and shelf hardware. STEP 2: PATCH HOLES. STEP 3: MARK STUDS. STEP 4: DETERMINE SPACING. STEP 5: INSTALL SUPPORT BOARDS. STEP 6: ADD SHELVES. STEP 7: PUT EVERYTHING BACK.
What wood is used for shelves?
If you are making shelves where the color and grain of the wood is an important part of the design, look for oak, maple, or cherry plywood—these options will still offer durability, but will help keep costs down compared to with non-manufactured hardwoods of the same species.
What is the strongest wood for shelves?
Koa. If you want wood shelves that last for a long time, you should consider using Koa wood. This is considered to be the hardest among commercially available wood types. Even so, Koa is lightweight and has beautiful shellac qualities.
How thick should shelves be?
Use 3/4-inch thick materials for shelves and bookcase structure. If you’re using hardwood solids, it’s OK to boost the thickness to 1 1/4 inch for almost unlimited support. This type of shelf looks more like a mantel and is expensive, but adds the opulent look of craftsmanship.
How thick should pine shelves be?
The most frequently used quality materials for custom-built wood shelves are 3/4” thick plywood, poplar, or pine; definitely avoid the melamine-laminated composite shelving and MDF. And a typical shelf load to plan for is 20-40# per foot – libraries often plan for 35#.
How deep should closet shelves be?
Some Important Numbers to Keep in Mind. A clothes closet should have a minimum depth of at least 24 inches deep, so the clothes can clear the back wall. Shelves for women’s shoes should be spaced about 6 to 7 inches apart. Shelves for folded clothes should be placed around 12 inches apart.
What kind of plywood do you use for shelves?
Tip. Plywood is the industry standard for shelving, so it’s a good choice for bookshelves.
How thick should plywood be for shelves?
The most common size used in shelving is a 3/4 inch thickness. Cabinetry, furniture, and smaller decorative projects might generally use a combination of 1/2 and 3/4 and occasionally 1/4 inch.
Is MDF strong enough for shelves?
MDF is a good material for making shelves because it’s cheaper than plywood, it’s strong enough to carry light to medium loads, it’s easy to cut to size, has a smooth surface, and paint applies well to it. Additional stiffeners and supports can be added to the MDF shelves to allow for heavier loads.
Is poplar wood stronger than pine?
Poplar is stronger wood than pine. According to the Janks hardness value, poplar has 540 lbf while white pine wood gets 420 lbf value. But there are many types of pine woods, for example, poplar is stronger than white pine but weaker and softer than yellow pine with 80 lbf.
How do I make my sturdy more shelf?
How to Strengthen a Shelf Overlay. One of the best options is a simple shelf overlay. Stretchers. Stretchers are pieces of wood that attach to the bottom of the shelf to give it strength. Corbels. Corbels are a type of brace often used on shelving, mantles or even large cantilevered buildings. Materials.
Can you use 1/2 plywood shelves?
They cost more than plywood, but I think ease of use and durability make it worth it. Adding 1x2s under the plywood will stiffen it up just fine. Use glue and finishing nails, nailed from the top, into the 1x part of the sticks to make a shelf section.
How thick are typical floating shelves?
I love the look of floating built-in shelves, but most tutorials have shelves that look very bulky and are at least 3 inches thick. I looked and looked for the perfect way to make a THIN 1.5 inch floating shelf, and liked the ideas from Young House Love’s tutorial.
How thick should floating shelves be in kitchen?
For kitchens, you want to have a depth of at least 10 inches. This is important if you want to store dinner plates or other wider items on your shelving.
How much weight can 3/4 Pine hold?
A 3/4 “piece of spruce plywood measuring 12” by 36 “can hold up to 50kg. No problem. The strength of the plywood decreases as the thickness decreases.
What is the standard height for closet shelves?
Generally, a closet shelf is about 87 inches above the floor, and a single closet rod is mounted at around 72 inches in height. These numbers are not carved in stone, however, and you can create designs and modifications that work for you.
How much weight can a 2×4 shelf hold?
A 2×4 can hold up to 40 pounds or 300 pounds when laying on its edge without sagging when laying horizontally. Several factors can lower or increase a 2x4s strength, including wood species, lumber grade, and moisture content.
What do I need to build a shelf?
You’ll need: Shelf boards. The shelf boards should be at least 2cm 3/4″ thick. Supports for the shelf boards. Cleats (strips of wood) are easy and ideal for this unit. Two vertical support panels. These form the sides of the shelf unit. A top piece. A piece of hardboard for the back of the shelf unit.
How much space should be between hanging rod and shelf?
A minimum of 10 inches is best, but it’ll depend on the size of your hangers. If there is a shelf above the rod, determine the vertical distance from the rod to the shelf; two inches should be suffice.
How far from back wall should closet rod be?
As a rule, place the top rod 80 to 82-inches up from the floor and the bottom rod about 40-inches up from the floor. For a single rod application, plan 60-inches from the floor for placement. You will need at least 1-foot, 9-inches (24-inches is standard) away from the back wall for hanging.
