Table of Contents
How do you make a solid bookcase?
How much do bookshelves cost to build?
The cost to have built-in bookshelves installed averages $2,676 or between $1,275 and $4,091 for a carpenter to do the job. If you buy the materials yourself, you can usually get a handyman to install them for $30 to $130 per hour. For high end custom work, expect to spend $150 to $1,200 per linear foot.
How deep should bookcase shelves be?
Shelf depth is determined by the size of the items to be stored, generally within the range of 6 to 24 inches. Shelf depth for a general purpose bookshelf is usually 10 to 12 inches. Shelf spacing will generally range from 7 to 15 inches with 8 to 12 inches being common for bookshelves.
How thick should bookshelves 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.
Is it cheaper to build your own shelves?
The pros of DIY shelving include: Lower Cost – Generally, buying the materials for your garage shelves should be cheaper than purchasing prefab – just make sure you do everything right the first time. Durability – As long as you choose quality materials and a solid design, your DIY shelves will be more durable.
What tools do I need to build a bookcase?
As for basic tools, you’ll need a portable circular saw, hammer, block plane, combination square, tape measure, metal rule, two clamps, nail set and putty knife. Other supplies include glue, nails, sandpaper, wood filler and varnish or paint and shellac.
What can I use instead of bookshelf?
Wall shelves are a great alternative to a bookcase. They don’t take up any floor space, but limited wall space can also be a challenge in a small room. This set of bookshelves can be arranged to fit your needs. If you have a narrow strip of wall, stack them vertically.
What can I use for bookshelves?
18 Cheap and Attractive Ideas for Bookshelves An Old Ladder. This looks daunting, but doesn’t require too many DIY skills. Ladders and Boards. A Book. Skateboards. Stacked Tables. Boards and Bricks. Bottles and Boards. Ropes and Boards.
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.
Does Home Depot cut wood for you?
Home Depot and Lowes both cut lumber (like 2x4s) and sheet goods (like plywood) purchased in-store. The first few cuts are free, but the stores reserve the right to charge for excess cuts.
What can I make with one sheet of plywood?
15 Cool Projects You Can Make From a Single Sheet of Plywood 1 Plywood Table. Aaron Wojack. 2 Plywood Hand Truck. 3 Eames Chair. 4 Plywood Stool and Standing Desk. 5 Kids Storage Bench. 6 Rock Back Chair. 7 Plywood Media Console. 8 Plywood Doghouse.
Is Pine good for bookshelves?
Avoid using particleboard, MDF, and softwoods like pine for bookshelves. They sag under a lot of weight, dent and scratch easily, don’t offer long-term rigidity, and require extra support for long spans.
How much weight can a bookshelf hold?
Strength Comparison: The amount of weight a 3-foot 1×12 shelf can hold without sagging more than ¼ inch: Oak: 313 lb. Pine: 200 lb. Plywood: 129 lb.
Will plywood shelves sag?
A 30” wide adjustable shelf that is 10” deep, made of any of these three (plywood, poplar, pine) materials, will have an acceptable sag for a load of up to 35# per foot, or about 90# for the entire shelf. Sag definitely won’t be a problem for those small adjustable shelves.
Is plywood good for shelves?
Plywood is the industry standard for shelving, so it’s a good choice for bookshelves. However, there are a number of sturdy woods with which you can construct bookshelves.
How do you keep wooden shelves from warping?
By following these simple instructions, you can prevent your wood from warping: Do not allow lumber that is drying to dry too slowly, which could allow moisture to stay long enough to cause warping. Keep drying lumber from being exposed to moisture or humidity. Do not cause cracks by over-drying wood.
What type of wood is used for floating shelves?
Best Wood for Floating Shelves The best wood is any hardwood like solid walnut, oak, pine, maple or mahogany to name a few. Rough cut wood is more raw and will show some impurities. Finished or unfinished? some floating shelves will come finished with a stain or clear coat and some will come unfinished and paintable.
What is the backing of a bookshelf called?
I’ve used 1/8″ luan to back a bookshelf before and it did well. It’s also known as “door skins”.
How do you fill a gap between a bookcase and a wall?
Step 1: Scribe and Cut Trim Board. Scribe a board to fit over any irregularities and cut to length. Step 2: Fasten Scribed Board. Fasten the scribed board to the bookcase using screws. Step 3: Fill gaps with Caulk. Fill any gaps between the scribed board and the wall or bookcase with caulk for a clean finish.
Why do designers put books backwards?
It’s a really simple answer: copyright! That’s right, this isn’t some breakthrough of a design trick. Although it’s actually kind of a hot button issue with book lovers who aren’t fans of hiding the titles. It’s because the network would have to get copyright clearance from every single title in order to display them.
Can you store books in plastic containers?
Plastic containers are an excellent choice for long-term book storage, as they defend against moisture and other damage. While boxes are fine for most short-term moves, over time they become susceptible to humidity, moisture, and pests. The airtight seal of plastic containers protects from all three of these threats.
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.
What are two disadvantages of using plywood?
Disadvantages & Limitation of Plywood Urea and phenol formaldehyde used for gluing causes cancer. Plywood is in many aspects weaker than wood. Not durable like wood. Not always easy to sculpture on this. Lighter than normal wood. Without some special resistance method maximum after long-term get attacked by insects.
Is 12mm plywood OK for shelves?
It is generally unsuitable for shelving as the finish is poor. Use 12mm chipboard as a minimum and support the shelf at no greater than 300mm centres for all but the lightest of loads. Or 18mm chipboard with supports no greater than 700mm apart.
How much does a sheet of plywood cost?
Cabinet Grade Plywood Thickness Type Price 1/2″ Sandeply Hardwood $33.87 3/4″ Sandeply Hardwood $43.97 1/4″ Oak Plywood $25.97 1/2″ Oak Plywood $42.97.
Is Pine Good for shelves?
Avoid using particleboard, MDF, and softwoods like pine for bookshelves. They sag under a lot of weight, dent and scratch easily, don’t offer long-term rigidity, and require extra support for long spans.
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.
