What material are the shelves for the closet made from?

Shelves are the most important elements of all cabinet parts.
To make them easy to use and last a long time, you need to take seriously the choice of material, fasteners, and cut the workpiece correctly.

But the result will please you for a long time and will significantly increase functionality.

Materials for cabinet shelves

Anyone who buys products from “trusted” brands does not need to know about the materials for the cabinet shelves. This article is mainly for those who will order furniture from a little-known supplier.

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On the picture:

The weight of what or who will the shelves of your future closet have to support? Choose materials that are as durable as possible.

Where can you arrange your wardrobe?
The best option is to install a pair of dressing rooms equipped with the most functional storage system, with shelves, rods with lifting mechanisms and retractable cassettes. The dressing room next to the bedroom can be designed to be quite large in volume. The dressing room in the hallway is smaller and is intended for outerwear, shoes and seasonal items. If the area of the apartment is not very large, it is better to plan built-in wardrobes instead of dressing rooms. A good solution would be to place cabinets in niches - this will save space.

Material of manufacture

A cabinet in the interior must be made of high-quality metal; the thickness of the metal sheets from which the item is made must be 1 mm or more.

In this case, you can safely buy the selected product; it will last for many years, and will not deform from minor mechanical impact or accidental load.

The metal cabinet must have a special coating that prevents corrosion. If the product was actually manufactured at the factory, the paintwork will not come off.

It is important to make purchases in trusted places so that shopping is a joy; buying a fake will cause nothing but disappointment.

Types of shelves

What is outside is also inside. There are removable and stationary shelves. You need to choose material for them based on different criteria. Removable shelves must withstand repeated re-hanging. It is clear that bulk “slab” materials are not the best option for them (although they are the cheapest). It is better to prefer solid wood, metal or glass.

Stationary (non-removable) shelves are load-bearing elements of the cabinet structure that allow you to avoid diagonal distortions of the frame. They are almost always made of the same material as the furniture body.

Which material to choose?

Solid wood. The most noble material is durable, natural. Solid wood is ideal when increased shelf strength is required - when ordering a bookcase or boiserie-type wardrobe with long, extended shelves. The disadvantages of the array include the heavy weight and high price of the products.

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Solid wood shelves are usually made to match the frame of cabinet furniture.

What does the veneer hide?

As a rule, veneer is used to cover slabs on a wooden base - MDF or stacked wood slabs made from pieces of solid wood. However, you can find a metal + veneer option. Such finishing options are offered by manufacturers of premium wardrobes and cabinets.

In the photo: Vetro Trasparente model from the Porro factory, design by Centro Ricerche Porro, Lissoni Piero.

Dial array. This is also a completely natural material: a slab made of wood blocks glued together “staggered”. The stacked wood is covered with a layer of decorative veneer, after which it is difficult to distinguish it from solid wood. The advantages are the same as those of a regular array, but the price is noticeably lower.
Joiner's board. The choice of those for whom the light weight of the shelves is important. The blockboard is a frame made of hardwood, covered on both sides with a “jacket” of plywood or other material. Regardless of the presence/absence of filling, it still weighs less than one made from solid wood. And thanks to the finishing it looks no worse. The wood slab can withstand bending loads, that is, it is suitable for heavy things, such as books.

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Shelves with honeycomb filling are easy to “identify” by their increased thickness. Otherwise, they simply could not withstand the weight of heavy things.

MDF/chipboard. The most common materials for shelves in cabinet furniture. These boards are made from natural wood, ground almost into dust and compressed. Formaldehyde resins are used as a binder in the manufacture of chipboard. In MDF, the main binder is lignin contained in wood fibers. Synthetic resins only complement it.

Beware of formaldehyde!

When choosing a chipboard shelf, pay attention to the sealing of the edges. Ask the seller for a sample of the product. If there is at least one “bare” end, refuse to purchase. After all, even the highest quality particle board emits formaldehyde - volatile toxic substances.

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Cladding with chipboard and MDF gives nondescript materials a noble appearance.

Shelf with lighting.

Quite often, glass cabinet shelves are made with integrated lighting. The light source is integrated between the sheets of glass, and the “power” is absolutely independent of the position of the shelf - the contact is made to the grooves in which the shelf is fixed. As a result, the shelves can be re-hung without giving up the lighting.

In the photo: model S07 from the Interluebke factory, design by Kraeling Peter, Heide Rolf.

The surfaces of chipboard shelves are always covered with something: veneer, film, plastic, etc. And MDF products can be used both lined and painted. There are many finishing options and colors - you can always choose the one that will match the body and front of the cabinet.

Shelves made of chipboard and MDF usually have a standard thickness of 16-18 mm. The finger-thick model is much cheaper, but can bend under the weight of ordinary things! For shelves with medium and high loads, more durable (and expensive) slabs with a thickness of 21-25 mm are recommended.

Glass. If you buy glass shelves for your closet, you probably won’t regret your choice. They look thin and visually light, but at the same time they are highly durable: an 8 mm thick sheet of glass can support the same weight as an MDF shelf twice as thick. Glass shelves are easy to clean, making them great for kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
Metal. Perforated sheets of this material are used to make shelves in designer racks and shoe cabinets.

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On the picture:

There is a brutal elegance to metal shelves.

But more often, baskets made of metal rods are used inside cabinets. They are convenient for storing knitwear and linen (in the wardrobe), as well as kitchen utensils and food.

Source: www.4living.ru

Making a wooden shelf

Finally we get to the manufacturing process itself. To make a wooden shelf in a closet, you will need to collect all the necessary tools in one place in advance, so that during the process you will not need anything. Typically the list will be something like this:

a regular iron for gluing furniture wool;
drill with drills of suitable size;
stationery knife and pencil;
fasteners.

You will also need to get an electric jigsaw or circular saw if you decide to cut the boards yourself.

The workpiece must be cut only according to a pre-drawn diagram (drawing). It is best to do this with a saw, since the jigsaw may leave uneven surfaces that will have to be sanded down. You can also contact a carpentry workshop, where they will cut boards of the required size for you for a small amount.

The ends should be covered with furniture edges so that moisture cannot penetrate into the material. Edge tape is best applied using a hot iron. To cut off the excess, you need to use a utility knife or sandpaper. After that, all that remains is to install the shelf in the closet.

Fastening shelves in a closet made of different materials

The majority of cabinets are made of laminated chipboard. A separate group includes models made of solid wood and MDF, as well as built-in cabinets with shelves made of plasterboard, furniture panels, plywood and other sheet materials.

In the future, we will start from the fact that both the body and the shelves of the cabinet are made of the same material - chipboard, MDF, plywood, solid wood with a thickness of 12-20 mm. Here we will consider the remaining, “non-standard” cases.

Fastening glass shelves

Fastening a glass shelf involves drilling the sides of the cabinet for shelf holders of various types. They can be “barrels” in a silicone shell, corners with a suction cup in the simplest version, or varieties of “pelicans” or “toucans” with a girth around the end of the shelf.

If the cabinet body itself is also made of glass, then UV gluing can be used for fastening. Also in the range of accessories for glass shelves you can choose special holders with through fastening. In this case, it is necessary to clarify the diameter of the holes for drilling (as a rule, fasteners are designed for installation in 5 or 8 mm holes).

Fastening mesh shelves

Mounting a metal mesh cabinet shelf is usually included in the kit. The shelf itself is sawn off to fit the internal size of the niche for installation; special holders are installed on the longitudinal rods on each side.

If a hanging rod or a support for inclined mounting is required (if it is a shelf for shoes), then the corresponding accessories are also purchased separately.

The metal shelf can be retractable. The draw-out mechanism is attached to the sides of the cabinet using regular 3x16 or 4x16 self-tapping screws. When installing, we recommend using the installation instructions - depending on the manufacturer, there may be nuances regarding the marking of reference points.

In some wardrobe systems, metal shelves are mounted on the wall, using special supporting rails and cantilever holders.

Built-in wardrobe: attaching shelves to walls

When installing built-in wardrobes, plastic corners of the “commander” type and consoles are usually used.

If the sides of the built-in wardrobe are made in the form of plasterboard partitions and it is not known where the mortgages are located, then it is better to use timber to support the shelves. A point connection will not be very reliable.

If necessary, attach heavy shelves or a mezzanine cabinet to loose walls. The beam will serve as a reliable support.

Pull-out shelves

If you decide to make a pull-out shelf in your closet, then in addition to all of the above, you will need to use a special mechanism on which the shelf will move. You can purchase such a device at furniture stores, or you can remove it from an old chest of drawers, cabinet or computer desk, if the size is suitable. In order not to make mistakes with the calculations, be sure to draw up a drawing of the future shelf.

First, we make the shelf itself from wood or chipboard. If you decide to make a drawer instead of a sliding shelf, then you will have to add three more walls: two side and one front, as well as a handle. Be sure to take into account the dimensions of the mechanism itself when calculating, since it will be mounted on the end of the shelf and the inside of the cabinet. As a rule, its dimensions range from 4 to 6 centimeters in width. Fastening occurs using a large number of small screws.

As you can see, at home you can make almost any shelf of absolutely any size. To do this, you do not have to have special carpentry skills, but simply draw up a competent drawing and select good fasteners. After this, installation is reduced to minimal theoretical knowledge. However, this does not mean that this process should not be approached with great responsibility, because if the shelf is not secured securely, then it will simply not be possible to store objects with a large weight on it. Therefore, use only high-quality screws and a reliable screwdriver.

Through fasteners (with drilling) for confirmations

Confirmats are the most common through fasteners for shelves. To install, you will need to drill a hole in the end of the shelf with a diameter of 5 mm and on the front side of the side of the cabinet with a drill with a diameter of 8 mm. It is better to use a special confirmation drill. Since a countersink is still required for the head, the screw itself is flush with the surface of the sidewall. Next, the cap is hidden with a special self-adhesive plug, matched to the color of the chipboard.

A nuance: depending on the thickness of the sidewalls, the length of the confirmat is selected. For standard chipboard and MDF thicknesses of 16-18 mm, a 5x50 euroscrew is used; for thicker board materials, a longer one is used, up to 70 mm.

Among the advantages of attaching shelves to confirmations, it is worth highlighting the ease of assembly and the low cost of the fasteners themselves.
The downside is the need to drill through. Not everyone likes the “holey” sides of the cabinet from an aesthetic point of view. Although the self-adhesive plugs are color-matched, they are still visible. Also furniture assembled through repeated assembly and disassembly.

Ideas and life hacks for storing things in the closet

The inside of cabinet doors is an indispensable place for placing small household items.

For example:

You can place ties, scarves, scarves, gloves on special holders or regular door hooks;
in the hallway, on the door from the inside, it is convenient to keep keys, umbrellas, and a reminder notebook; You can also place accessories for walking pets there;
sew it yourself or buy a ready-made organizer for small items, and within walking distance you will have scissors, threads, pins and other small items at hand;
In the pantry, on the back side of the door, you can place a holder for a mop, brush, floor rag, or household gloves.

Plastic vacuum bags are one of the innovations of the 21st century. The item is packed in a durable polyethylene bag and closed tightly. Air is drawn out through a special hole in the bag (using a regular vacuum cleaner). The size of the item in the package is reduced several times.

Lighting inside the cabinet. It is enough to buy an LED lamp with a AA battery. The power of its light is enough to find the right thing on the shelves.

It is more convenient to store shoes in cardboard boxes. On each box, paste a photo of the shoe or its name. For example: “Vadim’s boots, winter.”

Hidden fastening of shelves in the closet

If the side of the cabinet remains visible and you want to maintain the integrity of the coating, then you can use hidden, invisible fasteners to install shelves.

Furniture dowels

The most affordable, but no longer as popular as before, is a furniture dowel. It can be made of solid wood and plastic. For better grip, the side surfaces of the dowels are made ribbed.

Why do furniture makers dislike fastening to dowels? Fasteners of this type are quite specific and require gluing. This means that additional clamps (clamps) are needed to fix the position and glue. And, of course, allotted time for the glue to dry. All this slows down the build.

Eccentric coupler

More modern hidden fasteners for shelves and tabletops are an eccentric (minifix) and a conical tie. This type of fastening requires a certain skill for installation and therefore a novice master may get a little stuck. You will have to drill several holes of different diameters for the sleeve and the dowel itself. Moreover, all of them must be performed strictly in the center relative to each other; moving left/right/sideways is unacceptable.

There are many varieties of eccentric couplers, but the principle is always the same. There is a dowel with a head and a sleeve that clings to the head. The sleeve can be rotated (as on minifixes and conical couplers), inserted and snapped into place.

The advantages of the eccentric are obvious - the possibility of quick dismantling, the permissibility of repeated assembly and disassembly, and “invisibility”. Only the upper part of the sleeve is visible, which is located on the inside of the side of the cabinet and can also be hidden with a self-adhesive plug.

This type of hidden shelf fastening can also include rafix, which is a kind of symbiosis of an eccentric and a shelf holder with fixation.

Corner screed

Special furniture corners can be made of wood and plastic. Installation of such parts does not require special knowledge and skills. It will be enough to use a screwdriver and several self-tapping screws to connect the shelf to the side wall of the cabinet. The only difficulty may be the correct location of the corner ties relative to one axis. If you create an uneven structure, then such a shelf will be of little use.

Corners for fastening shelves in a closet

Furniture corners, like fastening shelves for a closet, are not able to add rigidity to the body. Therefore, the internal filling must be combined with other types of rigid fasteners.

Conventional galvanized corners can be used in furniture assembly. But you should still choose fasteners among furniture fittings; they look more aesthetically pleasing. You can use plastic corners or those made of metal, with a plastic lid that snaps on top.

For deep and open shelves, various cantilever options are offered as fasteners. The design and color can be chosen at your discretion.

Product quality and build type

Modern metal cabinets can be welded or dismountable. The latest models are more compact and mobile; if desired, you can change their configuration, which is usually done in order to optimize space. Assembly is carried out using screws or bolts, the whole process does not take much time.

Transporting such a cabinet to another place is not a problem; you just need to disassemble the product, transport it and reassemble it again. Check the package, count how many shelves are available and whether their number corresponds to the quantity declared by the manufacturer.

Welded cabinets are problematic to transport, but they have undeniable advantages: they have a reliable and durable design, and they stand firmly on legs.

The internal filling is represented by a constant set of sections, all elements are connected using high-quality welding.

How to attach removable shelves in a closet

If it is required that the shelf be removed and adjusted in height, stops are used for fastening - shelf holders. They are installed in holes with a diameter of 5 mm. Please note that the hole required is not through, unlike fasteners on confirmations (the diameter of the drill is the same).

The shelf holder can be not only “barrel” in shape, but also a “spatula”. For shelves that are narrow in depth, in which the shelf holders are located quite close to each other, there is a reason to use special shelf holders with fixation. They will “protect” the shelf from accidental tipping.

As with furniture corners, removable shelves do not add additional rigidity to the cabinet. Therefore, in high and wide sections they are alternated with those mounted on confirmats or eccentrics. Or they add additional stiffening ribs along the rear wall of the cabinet.

These are the main ways to attach shelves in cabinets. They are also used in other furniture for various purposes.

Source: shkaf-info.ru

Design Features

Think carefully about the purpose for which you want to buy a metal cabinet, decide on the color scheme, the number of shelves, and the features of the sections. At this stage, you will need to decide which cabinet lock is best for you; give preference to a burglary-resistant locking mechanism.

Pay attention to how evenly the lock is cut in; there should be no distortions, otherwise you will soon have to change it.

If the sections have perforations, then it will be easier to care for the product; you can often do wet cleaning in it, and mold will not appear in the cabinet. This is especially important when the piece of furniture is intended to store documents.

What materials are cabinets made from?

Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of varieties and types of wood used in production. The choice of product texture is based on the customer’s preferences, his budget and the overall design of the room. The many varieties of raw materials used allow designers and manufacturers to create a real masterpiece, implementing the most daring design solutions in the design.

ATTENTION! You should choose a material not only based on its appearance. First of all, you should pay attention to quality and reliability, because the service life of your cabinet depends on these parameters.

Today, both expensive and cheap options are popular. We offer the following review.

Cheap types of materials:

Chipboard : Made from simple wood shavings mixed with a synthetic resin compound. Chipboard boards are made in a variety of shapes, textures and shades, which gives them some versatility. This allows you to combine it with a wide variety of interior design types, choosing the best option for your home.

Chipboard: a laminated type of chipboard. This is the most expensive and best quality version of the raw material chipboard used by the best manufacturers of cheap cabinets.

MDF: another popular material, also made from sawdust, but much stronger and more reliable than chipboard. Its distinctive feature is quality and high resistance to moisture and steam. It has a very smooth, almost perfectly flat surface, while being very flexible, which allows you to create curved or convex elements. This allows you to realize the most unexpected design ideas. However, the cost of such raw materials is slightly higher than chipboard and laminated chipboard.

Expensive materials:

Veneer : This is a panel made of chipboard or MDF, covered with a thin layer of wood. This is an expensive raw material used to create luxury furniture. Veneer is an extremely durable, high-quality and durable material.

Natural wood: a material based on natural solid wood. Noble, solid and luxurious - it has the highest characteristics and environmentally friendly texture.

Typically, these blanks are used to make side panels, floors or tops of cabinets. Occasionally, veneer or natural wood is used to decorate facades and doors.

What types of storage organizers are there?

Properly selected packaging protects the item from dust, temperature changes, humidity, and protects it from external influences. The right way to store things will make your home spacious and cozy.

A cardboard box is the simplest and most economical. It can be easily selected by size and color. A beautifully designed box can decorate your interior.

Thick cardboard made of environmentally friendly material can protect your things from dust, dirt, and direct rays of the sun. But it does not protect from moisture. Therefore, it is not recommended to keep things packed in cardboard boxes in damp areas.

Containers are durable boxes with lids. There are metal, wooden, plastic, fabric. Metal and plastic perfectly protect things from moisture.

The interior of the drawers is hollow or divided into sections. Containers with small cells are convenient for storing small items - cosmetics, jewelry, stationery, sewing supplies. To store clothes and shoes, we choose large drawers.

Use boxes, organizers, hanging shelves, hooks, special holders for scarves and bags to store things. All these accessories can be purchased inexpensively or made with your own hands.