ᐅ My KALLAX makes a creaking noise when it gets warm – could this be a material defect?

Hello everyone, I have a KALLAX shelf from IKEA that is in my living room. I noticed that it starts to squeak, especially when the room temperature is higher. This noise usually occurs when it gets warmer in the summer or when the heating is turned up a lot. It bothers me because it sounds somewhat “mechanical,” almost as if the material is warping or under stress due to the heat. My main question is: Could this squeaking be a sign of a material defect, or is it more likely a normal physical reaction that you can expect from furniture made of particleboard or similar engineered wood products? I look forward to hearing your assessments and experiences.

Hello Beatriz, your issue with the KALLAX and the squeaking noise when it gets warm is actually quite common. This phenomenon can be caused by various factors, such as the thermal expansion of materials, when particleboard or MDF panels slightly expand at higher temperatures and rub against adjacent materials or connectors.

Beatriz schrieb:
Could this squeaking be a sign of a material defect, or is it more of a typical physical reaction that you can expect from furniture made of particleboard or similar materials?

In most cases, it is a normal, physically caused reaction. A material defect would usually be noticeable through visible damage, deformation, or loss of stability. Also, check whether screws or fasteners can be tightened, as loose screws are often the cause of noises during temperature changes.

The noise is most likely caused by thermal expansion. Tighten the screws and possibly adjust the furniture. A material defect usually involves more than just one squeak.

To better assess the behavior of your KALLAX, it would be helpful if you could provide more information about its usage and location. Is it placed directly against an exterior wall, in sunlight, or near heating sources? Particleboard is generally sensitive to fluctuations in humidity and temperature due to its composition of wood chips and adhesive.

A common cause of squeaking is the interaction between the thermal expansion of wood-based materials and the use of screws or metal fasteners, which expand less. This can lead to friction or tension between the components.

You can perform a targeted check of the screws by gently tightening each one with the appropriate tool, being careful not to over-tighten and damage the material. Upon reheating, applying a lubricant designed for mechanical joints, such as dry graphite powder or special furniture wax, to the contact points can sometimes help.

A slight adjustment, such as slightly raising the shelving unit off the floor with small felt pads, might also help if the unit warps slightly and causes noise.

Nigel schrieb:
Tighten screws, possibly adjust furniture.

This is certainly good advice, but I would also emphasize the environment, as material behavior strongly depends on climatic conditions.

Kinbu schrieb:
In most cases, it is a common physical reaction.

Thank you very much for your assessment! That sounds logical, especially when you mention the screws. The shelf is positioned against an internal wall, but right beneath a large window that lets in quite a bit of sunlight. The radiator is also not far away, so there are definitely some temperature changes throughout the day.

Palenar schrieb:
You can perform a targeted check of the fastenings by gently tightening all screws with the appropriate tool

I will give that a try. Another question regarding this: Should screws on furniture like this generally be retightened regularly? IKEA manuals often don’t provide clear guidance on this.

Beatriz schrieb:
Is it necessary to regularly retighten the screws on this type of furniture?

That’s a very good question. In general, it is worthwhile to retighten the screws, especially after assembling the furniture and again after a few weeks once everything has settled. Furniture made from engineered wood materials and joined with connectors such as dowels or metal fittings naturally “move” slightly over time, and screws can loosen due to stress and temperature changes.

Therefore, I recommend performing a quick check every six months or once a year and carefully retightening any loose screws. It’s important not to overtighten them, as this can damage the material. If the shelf is constantly squeaking, retightening can actually help reduce the noise.