Every house or office area needs shelves. Shelves are used primarily to keep books and other objects to not only keep the place neat but also to decorate the place.
But what determines how much load or weight a shelf can bear is determined by the shelving brackets. These shelf brackets also serve the purpose of holding the shelves in place.
What’s interesting is that the shelving brackets can be used to style and decorate a room too. The shelving brackets are available in a variety of colors, styles designs and materials to fit any room decor.
TYPES OF SHELVING BRACKETS
Wooden Shelf Brackets have been one of the first type of shelf brackets used, since earlier wood was available in abundance. Wood gives a very rich, sophisticated look to the room.
Metal Shelf Brackets are available in varying qualities. The quality of the metal determines how strong it is to hold the load of the shelf and its contents.
Wrought Iron Shelf Brackets are metal shelving brackets made from iron and given a classic look. They come in very attractive designs.
Glass Shelf Brackets are typically used when the shelf is also made of glass. They have rubber pads on them to make sure the glass shelves are supported and held in place. It gives an extremely neat and subdued look to the shelf.
Decorative Shelf Brackets are available to serve its functional and decorative purpose. They add to the décor and look of the room.
Heavy Duty Shelf Brackets are exceptionally strong shelving brackets typically used in workshops and garages for supporting a lot of weight. They are quite expensive.
Folding Shelf Brackets are quite innovative because they can be folded when not in use, so they don’t come in the way. They are quite handy when there’s lack of space. These are costly as well.
WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN DECIDING WHICH SHELF BRACKETS TO INSTALL
All shelving brackets are not the same. If metal, the thickness of the metal is a significant factor to be considered depending on the load it needs to bear.
Hand forged wrought iron shelf brackets should be preferred as they last longer. They are best for outdoor shelf brackets. The standard sizes available are 8”, 12”, 14”, and 16” or 18” inches deep. A contractor or designer should be consulted to decide the angle and type of shelf brackets.
The shelf brackets can easily be attached to any wall. The brackets are placed inside metal slots called standards. The tools needed to install a shelf bracket are screw gun and measuring tape. A stud finder might be useful as well.
HOW TO INSTALL THE SHELVES
Place and level the shelf brackets on the wall. Make markings on the wall with a pencil. Attach the brackets to the stud in wall using woodscrew.
Attach the bracket to the butterfly toggle first if the stud is not hit. Drill holes for the butterfly toggle screw and then insert it into the wall.
Tighten the screw till the bracket is tight against the wall. Place the shelf on the shelf brackets.
The following video shows how to build your own shelf brackets: