Thick Wood Bookshelves
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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.
Likewise, How thick should Plywood be for garage shelves?
IMO you should get the best quality 3/4 plywood you can find (as many plys as possible) rip it to width, then glue 2 layers of that plywood together to make a 1 1/2″ thick shelf. If desired, you could cap the cut ends with solid wood.
Also, What is the best wood to make shelves out of?
The Best Wood to Use for Wood Shelves
- Pine. Pine is one of the most affordable and popular softwoods in the market. …
- Plywood. Plywood is another good option for people who are interested in making their own shelves. …
- Cherry. Although cherry is a hardwood, it is lightweight and easy to use. …
- Koa. …
- Red Oak. …
- Paduak. …
- Mahogany.
Moreover, How far can a shelf span without support?
The span limit is defined as the maximum distance apart that you can place the shelving supports. Glass, particleboard, solid lumber, plywood, and other common shelving materials can have span limits that can range from 18 inches to almost 5 feet.
Is Poplar stronger than pine?
Which is a harder wood – pine or poplar? … On the Janka scale, standard poplar is rated harder than Eastern pine. But, other pines, such as Radiata, Southern Yellow Pine, and True Pine, are much harder by a magnitude of 2 and 3.
Which plywood is best for garage shelves?
We use 1/2″ plywood for the 16″ width shelving – perhaps go up to 5/8″ or 3/4″ if you do 24″ wide shelving or have especially heavy loads destined for these shelves.
How deep should I build garage shelves?
How deep should garage shelves be? – The depth of your shelves may depend on what you plan to store and how much space you have in your garage. Garage shelves typically range from 12 – 24 inches deep.
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.
What kind 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 to put on a floating shelf?
10 Different Ways to Style Floating Shelves
- of 10. Try tiny triangles. …
- of 10. Use all surfaces. …
- of 10. Store children’s books. …
- of 10. Pick out chunky wood. …
- of 10. Use all angels. …
- of 10. Create a playful display. …
- of 10. Make a statement. …
- of 10. Elevate art.
How far apart hang shelves?
The rule of thumb for spacing is 12 inches between each shelf but bump that up to 15 or 18 inches and you enhance that sense of exposure and accessibility.
Why is poplar cheaper than pine?
Pine is cheaper than several other types of wood, including oak. It is commonly considered the cheapest wood used in furniture. In many cases, it’s even cheaper than poplar. Poplar tends to be somewhat easier to work with since it’s lighter and has fewer knots and less sap.
Why is poplar wood so cheap?
Poplar is one of the less expensive hardwoods. … Because poplar is not the most beautiful wood, it’s rarely used in fine furniture, and if it is, it’s almost always painted. Poplar can be a good choice for drawers (where it won’t be seen) because it is stable and inexpensive.
What is the strongest lightest wood?
The Lightest Wood Options
- Redwood – It’s one of the lightest and most durable woods used for building. …
- Cedar – At just 19.7 to 23 pounds per square foot (dry) Cedar is one of the lightest woods. …
- Cypress – Like Cedar and Redwood Cypress is a lightweight softwood that is durable and resistant to water damage.
Is MDF good for garage shelving?
Because it’s inexpensive and fairly durable, medium density fiberboard s a good choice for practical projects like shelving and storage cabinets. … MDF is basically sawdust and glue, fused together under pressure and heat.
Is OSB strong enough for shelving?
OSB is a great sheathing material but I certainly wouldn’t use it anywhere it would be visible. Even painted, it will not be a smooth surface and it will delaminate if it gets wet. The big box plywood gets a bad rap but for shelving, if a hardwood face is attached, it will work fine.
Is MDF good for garage cabinets?
MDF is fine for garage cabinets and painting them will help protect the wood from moisture and spills. It takes paint very well.
How tall should garage shelves be?
Ideally, shelves should be 6” to 1′ off the floor to keep the items stored on them clean and dry. This also leaves the floor area for storage of bulky and heavy items such as shop vacuums and five-gallon containers.
What is a good shelf depth?
The shelves shouldn’t be too deep.
The standard depth of most shelves is 16 to 20 inches deep. The highest shelf should be shallower, like 12 inches deep, to make those items easier to access. If you find that stuff seems to get pushed to the back and forgotten about, you should consider even shallower shelves.
What plywood should I use for shelves?
First and foremost, the wood you use for making bookshelves will impact the design as well as the cost of your project. ¾-inch plywood is considered the industry standard, thanks to it being strong yet inexpensive—especially when compared with some solid woods.
How thick should plywood shelves be?
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.
Do floating shelves need studs?
Ideally, you should attach floating shelves (or anything else you’re hanging) to a wall stud, as this will give you the most supportive base for your project. A stud finder—a hand-held device that uses a magnet to detect metal, such as the nails and screws in the wall studs of your home—can help you locate these.
How do you arrange a shelf screen?
The basic rule of thumb for decorating bookshelves: one-third books, one-third accessories, and one-third empty space per shelf. If you’re short on storage, fill the bottom shelf with identical boxes or baskets. Organize 60 percent of books vertically and 40 percent horizontally to create both balance and spontaneity.
How do you arrange knick knacks on a shelf?
Use A Bookshelf
The various compartments of a bookshelf are perfect for knick-knacks. With so many styles and colors, there are countless ways to get creative. Arrange like items in different sections of the bookshelf, or have fun by creating a montage with random trinkets.
