Hidden and visible shelf supports, how to hang them correctly on the wall
Choosing a bracket for installing shelves on a wall is not a difficult task, but it requires accuracy and correct calculation. For installation, choose brackets that decorate furniture, secret fasteners that do not spoil the main design of the room, or non-standard options. It is important that they support the weight of the shelves and their contents, so we will see how to choose the right type of such devices.
What are
There are two forms of shelf mounting - hidden and open. They are used equally. The type of supports is generally chosen according to the texture, quality and appearance of the furniture.
For surface mounting
Visible brackets are the most common way to install wall shelves. They are mounted under the main canvas. The installation option is inconvenient, since it is not always possible to choose the right combination of the texture of the shelf and the material of the holding device.
Corners
The most common and easiest way to attach shelves.The option is suitable for any interior. Withstands loads of 20 to 40 kg, depending on the type of construction.
Reinforced brackets
Reinforced brackets are used for heavier shelves or if the canvas has to support heavy loads. A feature of these fasteners is the jumper connecting the vertical and horizontal sections of the support part. Withstands up to 100 kg.
Decorative
The supports have an attractive appearance and feature additional details in the form of smooth lines, ornaments or mesh. Clips are used not only to hold the shelf, but also as a decorative element. Withstands 20 to 30 kg.
Reiki
Slats are metal or wood plates that are installed horizontally for a shelf. For multi-level furniture, installation is carried out vertically.
Expanding and expanding dowels
Expanding and drop-down dowels are used when installing heavy shelving. They represent a plastic base into which a self-tapping screw is screwed. For each size of the dowel, its own load is determined, reaching 55 kg.
By the anchor
A heavy shelf on a drywall wall hangs from a through drop anchor. The fastener is a metal tube with threads and blades that opens when a metal rod is screwed into it.
Mortgage
The most durable way to hang a heavy shelf. It is used if a drywall frame is created in the rooms. This is a strip of metal or a block of wood placed under the finish.
For concealed installation
If the design of furniture does not imply an open type of fastening, then most often they try to hide it and make it invisible to the user.
rods
These are metal pins, one end of which is screwed into the wall, the other into a prepared hole in the shelf.In this case, the width of the product should be wider than the length of the hairpin. Fittings can be purchased or made by yourself.
Plaque
They are used for fixing multi-level shelves and open cabinets. These are flat metal fasteners with holes for self-tapping screws and screws.
Wooden bars
Used to install a box shelf. A frame is mounted from the bars, fixed horizontally on the wall. The shelf is "put into place" on a wooden brace, fastened with self-tapping screws.
Hidden hinges
Hidden hinges are installed from the end of the shelf, fixing them with self-tapping screws. They hang the furniture in screws pre-screwed into the wall.
Console
Fasteners are made of metal or wood. It can be angular, straight or curved, with or without decoration.
How to choose the right fastening method
Depending on the material from which the shelf is made, the mounting method is selected. In this case, not only the weight of the objects that are planned to be displayed is taken into account, but also the weight of the canvas itself.
In wood
For fixing wooden shelves, a secret mounting method is often used. It is easier to make holes in wood or screw in self-tapping screws. The installation of such shelves will also be imperceptible on a wooden beam, matching the tone of the cabinet.
Of the external fasteners, brackets are used, made in the classical style, with decorative elements, painted in copper or bronze.
Glass
The glass shelves are mounted on pelican brackets. The panel is clamped between two support pieces, mounted one above the other.It is possible to use metal rails in which the shelf is fixed in the same way.
Corner
Any method is used to install corner shelves. Only during the installation process it is worth considering that the fasteners under the canvas can cross each other due to their length, so you need to correctly select their size.
Metallic
The metal corners are used to fix the metal shelves. However, they have a low load-bearing capacity, therefore frames made of metal rails are used for heavy structures.
Plastic
The plastic shelves are light enough to be attached to any support. But if the furniture is installed on a wall covered with tiles, it is better to avoid repeated drilling.
How to tie correctly
The main condition for a stable installation of the shelf is the correct selection of fasteners, depending on the load that they will have to withstand. The longer the shelf and the higher the mass of objects, the more support points there should be.
In addition, the quality of the wall should always be taken into account when fixing furniture.
In the usual way
The first thing to do when installing the shelves is to calculate the points of attachment of the canvas to the wall. The level is checked for the absence of curvature. The brackets are screwed to the shelf. Self-tapping screws are completely screwed in, if there are no deviations. The shelf is applied to the wall and notches are made, holes are drilled, fasteners are installed and the dowels are lightly screwed. The shelf is mounted on brackets. If there are no gaps in the level, screw the screws into the dowels all the way.
Hidden method
The hidden method includes all the same principles of calculation as the usual method, only it is more laborious, since it requires high accuracy.
On rods
One of the options for mounting a shelf without visible fixing is to fix it on rods. Fastening loops are screwed to the wall with self-tapping screws, the furniture sheet is “put” on the free edge - the hairpin.
On the plates
The plates are attached to the back of the shelf with self-tapping screws. The shelf is fixed on dowels screwed into the wall at a distance corresponding to the distance between the plates. In order for the secret fastening to press firmly against the structure, recesses are made in the rear walls of the cabinet for fastenings.
On hidden hinges
For a firm installation of the shelf on the hidden hinges, recesses are cut in the back of the structure. The bracket is screwed to the canvas with self-tapping screws and installed on the dowels screwed into the wall.
Difficult cases
There are a number of cases when fixing the shelves to the wall requires care, effort or the use of more durable materials.
How to hang a glass shelf
The glass shelves are mounted on brackets. Fasteners are attached to the wall with ordinary self-tapping screws and are closed from above with decorative covers. The glass is clamped between the two parts of the holder using a clamping mechanism.
On a plasterboard wall
For solid installation of shelves on a plasterboard wall, it is necessary to make metal or wooden mortgages at the installation stage. In this case, the fasteners screw onto the solid material and firmly hold the structure. If the wall is hollow, it is best to install the shelf using umbrella dowels.
Concrete wall
A feature of a concrete wall is its strength, so drilling will be required to install the shelf. For this, a perforator and a strong drill of a slightly smaller diameter are used than dowels will be used.
Non-standard ways
In addition to standard and well-known methods of mounting shelves, original options are used using various materials at hand. These details allow not only to conveniently and easily fix the structure, but also serve as decoration.
hook rings
You can hang the shelf using rings with attached hooks. The rings are fixed to the wall, and the hooks are hung on the hinges previously screwed into the fabric of the structure.
water pipes
The method will be useful in any room. Holes are made in the furniture fabric slightly larger than the diameter of the water pipe. The shelf is "put in place" and fixed with a clamp in the desired position. The structure can consist of a panel or an open rack.
Belts
Shelves, hung on belts, look original. To do this, take two leather products of the same length, fold them in half and drill into the wall. A shelf is inserted into the resulting loops. To prevent the fabric from moving, the straps must be screwed with small screws to the shelf.
Strings
Shelves hanging from ropes will look great. For this, a thin rope is used. 4 holes are made in the shaft, through which the rope is threaded. The knots are tied on both sides, so that the shelf is fixed. The ends of the ropes are tied together and fixed to the wall.
hidden fasteners in books
The shelf is an old book with a metal corner screwed into it.The second part of the bracket is fixed to the wall. Such a shelf will hold several more books.
Expert tips and tricks
Although fixing the shelf is not the most difficult task, there are certain installation rules. Advice:
- Do not place the shelf too high or in a place where it may interfere with movement.
- To install the shelf evenly, a piece of electrical tape is glued to the attachment point along the level.
- Use more durable fasteners when installing the shelf to gypsum fiberboard.
- Correctly calculate the number of fasteners and the load on the structure.
- When drilling a hole for a dowel, use a drill with a diameter equal to the size of the sleeve.
When preparing the holes in the wall and the shelf, it is important to keep the drill straight, otherwise the screws will not hold firmly, which will cause the structure to fall.