How to strengthen a shelf so it doesn't sag
Of course, this design is as convenient as possible, since you can store many items on it: books, jars of food, flower pots and more. The main criterion for purchasing is the strength and reliability of the material. However, there are cases when the shelf is arbitrarily subjected to gravity, which subsequently causes damage. How to prevent such a situation or first prevent the surface from harm will be discussed below in the article.
The content of the article
How to strengthen a shelf so it doesn't sag
Despite the fact that any structures are subject to deformation, there are still some ways to stop this phenomenon. This does not require much effort, but the service life can increase by several years.
Algorithm of actions
There are several options to ensure sustainability. Let's look at each of them:
- First you need to purchase metal corners. If you don’t have them, you can use wooden blocks (the width should be at least three centimeters), which can also perform their intended function - strengthening the shelf.
- Using screws (for higher strength, you can also use glue), you should attach the products from the bottom of the structure so that they are flush with the back edge.
- In addition, you can perform the above-described manipulations both from the bottom of the shelf and from the top to ensure that the entire piece of furniture is strengthened.
Let's look at the traditional method that most people use:
- You just need to turn the shelf in the opposite direction. With this action, the structure will gradually level out.
- It is recommended to do this from time to time, without waiting for the transformation itself.
The last, but no less effective method than the previous one is as follows: it is recommended to place a jumper in the middle of the shelf. Thus, it will take away the extra part of the load. The length of the material where the bending section occurs will, in turn, decrease in length.
Required Tools
For some methods, additional products are not required at all. However, when following the first instructions, you should arm yourself with metal corners. Wooden blocks are also perfect. To secure them you will need screws specially designed for this purpose.
How to avoid shelf sagging in the future
It all depends, first of all, on the dimensions of the item that is on the product itself. Because even with the most fragile material, the shelf can withstand light weight. And vice versa - finding heavy contents can lead to damage when using even the most durable construction. But with this point everything is clear: it is advisable to intelligently correlate the capabilities of the structure with the size of the products. However, let’s dwell on what the width and thickness of the shelves should be, since this will also affect the service life.
To prevent defects, a depth of 25 to 30 centimeters is required - the standard limit. If you have to place things with a fairly large weight, then you should think about the parameters - up to forty cm. As for fullness, this is a guideline for the number of millimeters of at least 20. You should also not forget about the length, which usually varies up to 0.9 meters. The production itself must be sustainable. It is worth checking it first before purchasing. After all the values are taken into account, you need to take care of the fastening. Often this plays a significant role - the build quality must be high, otherwise the shelf may not only bend, but even collapse.