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.
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Likewise, How deep should garage shelves be?
Garage shelves typically range from 12 – 24 inches deep.
Also, 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.
Moreover, How thick should wood be for shelves?
Thick Wood Bookshelves
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 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.
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.
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.
How thick should plywood be for shelving?
As a general rule, the heavier the items you will be placing on the shelves, the thicker the recommended product will need to be. The most common size used in shelving is a 3/4 inch thickness.
How thick should OSB be for garage shelves?
How To Build Basic Garage Storage Shelving
- 4 sheets 7/16” OSB (or 1/2” plywood )
- 7- 2X4s by 8 feet long.
- 6- 2X2s by 8 feet long.
- 3 inch nails or screws.
- 1-1/2 inch drywall screws.
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.
What wood is best for making shelves?
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.
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.
Can you use brad nails on MDF?
Puckers and mushrooms are less likely to occur in molding-grade MDF because the less-dense material at the site of the nail head allows for more material expansion. Slim, “needle-style” 18-gauge brad nails work best in pneumatic nailers. … You can, of course, use screws with MDF.
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 stronger than plywood?
MDF is ideal for cutting, machining and drilling, since it does not chip easily. On the other hand, plywood is a much more stronger material, which can be used for doors, floors, staircases and outdoor furniture.
What depth should pantry shelves?
Start with bottom shelves 16 to 18 inches deep and spaced about 18 to 24 inches apart, for bulky items; make shelves at eye level 12 to 14 inches deep and spaced 14 to 16 inches apart to fit cereal boxes and canisters. Shelves for spices and cans may need no more than 6 inches front to back.
How thick should a shelf 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.
How deep can a shelf be?
Standard bookshelves are 11 inches deep. Woodbin.com has some good design resources for furniture, check out http://www.woodbin.com/ref/furniture-design/shelves/ they suggest 10-12″ deep as a common standard, they also have some good information on how wide vs how thick your shelf stock is, etc.
What is the best plywood for shelving?
Tip. Plywood is the industry standard for shelving, so it’s a good choice for bookshelves.
What is the best wood to use for shelving?
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.
Is OSB better than MDF?
OSB is considered to be stronger than MDF. OSB is suitable for structural projects and withstands water, moisture, and weather conditions better than MDF. However, MDF is more versatile and easy to work with than OSB and preferred for projects requiring a smooth finish.
Is 12mm ply strong enough for shelves?
It is not so strong as solid timber and will tend to sag except under a very light load. Use 12mm chipboard as a minimum and support the shelf at no greater than 300mm centres for all but the lightest of loads.
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.
