When installing wall shelves, there are two primary considerations: material span capacity and vertical spacing between shelves. Material span capacity is crucial to prevent sagging under weight. The ‘span’ refers to the distance between supports for the shelf, and span limits depend on the material’s strength. Stronger materials allow for greater distances between wall supports.
Even with a short span limit, heavy objects can be stored if supported by closer-spaced brackets. Vertical shelf spacing is determined by the objects to be stored.
When selecting lumber for your shelves, opt for select-grade material to ensure fewer knots and a stronger, more attractive finish compared to construction-grade options. For 1x lumber, select-grade is recommended.
As for 2×10 lumber, the longest recommended span between wall supports is 48 inches, while for 2×12 lumber, it is 56 inches. Particleboard Shelves are made from sawdust and wood by-products bonded with glues and resins. Available in thicknesses of 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, and 3/4 inch, particleboard can be combined to create thicker shelves. For single-layer particleboard shelves, a minimum thickness of 5/8 inch is advised. The longest recommended span between wall supports for 5/8-inch particleboard is 24 inches, and for 3/4-inch particleboard, it is 28 inches. Glass Shelves require consideration of the type, thickness, and size of the glass. Annealed and tempered glass are common types, with tempered glass being significantly stronger and breaking into smaller pieces compared to annealed glass, which breaks into larger shards. When installing glass shelves, it’s best to calculate the weight rating rather than relying on span dimensions. A glass supplier can advise on safe weight limits. For example, 1/4-inch-thick x 11-inch-wide annealed glass can support a maximum of 29 pounds when supported every 24 inches, while the same size of tempered glass can support up to 117 pounds. Recommended Shelf Height Spacing depends on the items you plan to store. Clear shelf height is the space from the top of the lower shelf to the underside of the upper shelf. Here are the guidelines: Paperback books require 8 inches, hardback books 11 inches, large hardback/coffee table books/catalogs 14 inches, magazines 14 inches, CDs 5 inches, and DVDs (movie cases) 8 inches.