Shelves - how to....?

chugalug

Silly question I know but I'd appreciate some advice!

I want to put shelves in an alcove. I want them thick (like planks of wood) and going across the entire alcove - for hundreds of books so they have to be strong. Is there a way of fixing these to the wall so that the fixings don't show?? I don't want brackets or anything like that.

If no-one knows is there a website you can recommend?

Thanks guys:D

henster

we had some shelves like this put in - we wanted thick shelves but in the end we compromised and instead has shelves fitted that look like thick shelves (if that makes sense!). I'll try to explain what they are like - they are normal thin shelves but they are fixed to struts underneath each shelf and then a final strut of about 4cm depth is put in across the front of the shelf. We then painted them white - completely, underneath and struts aswell (and wall too). I am really happy with them, they look almost like they part of the wall if that makes sense.

HTH!

gossfam1

I have done this..
I wanted thick shelves with invisible fixings, i.e. look like they are floating.
Had seen some of chipboard construction in B&Q etc, but thought they looked too flimsy to hold heavy books.

It took some time to make my own, but they look great and are very strong.
I look lengths of planed timber and glued them together to form the thick shelf. I used a long drill bit and drilled through the middle of the shelf at each end and a third in the middle. I used steel studding rods and 'hung' the shelf on these. The studding attached to expansion bolts in the wall forming a very strong platform. To hide the end of the bolts and nuts on the shelf edge, I added a fascia piece glued to the front edge, hollowed out slightly to conceal the studding nuts.

I then colour waxed the shelves to give them a light oak finish and they look great and I can virtually stand on them they are that strong. The most difficult bit is drilling a straight hole through the length of the shelf without going through either side of the shelf.

If you want any more detail, drop me a line and I'll send you some pictures..

Andy

pestcontrol

Hi,

They sound exactly like the shelves we want. We've found a company that make them, but they charge way more than we can afford (we need 4 2m shelves & 2 1m shelves). I wondered if you would kindly tell me how much they cost you to to make, send me the details & pics?

Many many thanks!

Samantha