ᐅ Are the shelves in the large KALLAX really suitable for books?
Created on: 9 Nov 2024 17:23
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wataruHello everyone, I have a rather specific question that has been on my mind for some time: Are the shelves in the large KALLAX shelving system from IKEA really suitable for the long-term storage of books?
I’m not only asking whether they can support the weight, but also if they remain stable and durable over time without bending or showing unsightly deformations. I understand that KALLAX is relatively affordable and versatile, but so far I haven’t found reliable information about how strong the shelves are, especially when loaded with heavy and numerous books.
Are there any experiences or technical data I should be aware of? How are the KALLAX shelves constructed, what load capacity is recommended, and how does their durability hold up over a longer period—let’s say several years?
I don’t want to experiment and risk the shelf warping or even collapsing. Thanks in advance for your assessments and advice!
I’m not only asking whether they can support the weight, but also if they remain stable and durable over time without bending or showing unsightly deformations. I understand that KALLAX is relatively affordable and versatile, but so far I haven’t found reliable information about how strong the shelves are, especially when loaded with heavy and numerous books.
Are there any experiences or technical data I should be aware of? How are the KALLAX shelves constructed, what load capacity is recommended, and how does their durability hold up over a longer period—let’s say several years?
I don’t want to experiment and risk the shelf warping or even collapsing. Thanks in advance for your assessments and advice!
The shelves of the large KALLAX unit are made from sturdy medium-density fiberboard (MDF) with a melamine coating. They are generally designed for moderate loads and are suitable for books, provided the weight is distributed fairly evenly.
IKEA specifies a maximum load capacity of approximately 13–17 kg (29–37 lbs) per shelf for the large KALLAX system, depending on the model and installation. This corresponds to about 25–30 average to heavy books. Excessive loading can cause sagging, especially if the books are placed mostly in the center and the sides are left unsupported.
For long-term use, it is recommended to avoid fully loading shelves at maximum capacity for extended periods and to reinforce them with additional central supports or braces if necessary. Some users insert custom wooden boards as reinforcement. For heavy reference books or larger collections, solid wood or metal shelves might be a more reliable option.
IKEA specifies a maximum load capacity of approximately 13–17 kg (29–37 lbs) per shelf for the large KALLAX system, depending on the model and installation. This corresponds to about 25–30 average to heavy books. Excessive loading can cause sagging, especially if the books are placed mostly in the center and the sides are left unsupported.
For long-term use, it is recommended to avoid fully loading shelves at maximum capacity for extended periods and to reinforce them with additional central supports or braces if necessary. Some users insert custom wooden boards as reinforcement. For heavy reference books or larger collections, solid wood or metal shelves might be a more reliable option.
Interesting question, I’d like to go a bit deeper into the technical details:
KALLAX shelves are made from an engineered wood material that offers some flexibility – MDF is generally quite strong under compression but tends to bend if the span is too large or the load is very concentrated. The span of a KALLAX shelf in the larger size is about 77 cm (30 inches), which is close to the upper limit for supporting books.
The problem usually occurs when books are tightly stacked in the center and no intermediate dowels or reinforcements are used at the sides. A colleague of mine filled the shelf with regular novels and noticed a slight sag after about 2 years, which did not go away.
So, if you plan to use your KALLAX for very heavy books, I would recommend the following:
1. Consider the weight per shelf and add it up – typical hardcover books weigh between 300 g to over 1 kg (0.7 to over 2.2 lbs).
2. Think about whether a cross brace, before or after installation, is feasible to prevent sagging.
3. Also check the stability of the vertical supports – the entire frame should not wobble under heavier loads.
What is your current plan? Do you want to use a standard KALLAX with 4 or 8 compartments, or a special XXL model?
KALLAX shelves are made from an engineered wood material that offers some flexibility – MDF is generally quite strong under compression but tends to bend if the span is too large or the load is very concentrated. The span of a KALLAX shelf in the larger size is about 77 cm (30 inches), which is close to the upper limit for supporting books.
The problem usually occurs when books are tightly stacked in the center and no intermediate dowels or reinforcements are used at the sides. A colleague of mine filled the shelf with regular novels and noticed a slight sag after about 2 years, which did not go away.
So, if you plan to use your KALLAX for very heavy books, I would recommend the following:
1. Consider the weight per shelf and add it up – typical hardcover books weigh between 300 g to over 1 kg (0.7 to over 2.2 lbs).
2. Think about whether a cross brace, before or after installation, is feasible to prevent sagging.
3. Also check the stability of the vertical supports – the entire frame should not wobble under heavier loads.
What is your current plan? Do you want to use a standard KALLAX with 4 or 8 compartments, or a special XXL model?
Domau0 schrieb:
What is your current plan: do you want to use a standard Kallax with 4 or 8 compartments, or a special XXL model?Thank you for asking! It’s the large KALLAX with 8 compartments, about 147x147 cm (58x58 inches). I mainly plan to store hardcover professional books, so very different weights from 500 g to 1.5 kg (1.1 to 3.3 lbs) each, evenly distributed. The shelf stands freely in the room, so there is no side support.
My main concern is the long-term load over several years, as I want to build up my book archive—the shelf is not intended as a short-term solution. Do you or anyone else have experience with this exact model regarding its shelf load capacity and possible sagging after prolonged use? Perhaps also advice on how to best reinforce this larger piece of furniture?
To be honest, this discussion shows that KALLAX is not really designed for heavy professional books, but rather serves as a stylish and affordable compromise.
I completely agree. If you want truly durable, load-bearing shelves, you should give up the idea of using these thin engineered wood products to carry heavy loads permanently. The shelves are vulnerable to sagging, not only because of the material choice but also due to the span length.
But to be fair: KALLAX is flexible, quick to assemble, and looks nice. If you’re only storing lightly loaded books or CDs, it works well – for a large book collection, the shelves are simply too weak.
My advice: It’s better to invest a bit more and use quality materials rather than constantly patching up or improvising with temporary reinforcements.
nubar schrieb:
For heavy professional books or larger collections, I would definitely recommend solid wood or metal shelving.
I completely agree. If you want truly durable, load-bearing shelves, you should give up the idea of using these thin engineered wood products to carry heavy loads permanently. The shelves are vulnerable to sagging, not only because of the material choice but also due to the span length.
But to be fair: KALLAX is flexible, quick to assemble, and looks nice. If you’re only storing lightly loaded books or CDs, it works well – for a large book collection, the shelves are simply too weak.
My advice: It’s better to invest a bit more and use quality materials rather than constantly patching up or improvising with temporary reinforcements.
I would like to introduce a somewhat more technical approach here, as the topic should be considered from multiple perspectives.
KALLAX shelves, especially the 8-compartment version with a span of about 77 cm (30 inches), are generally suitable for a certain level of continuous load. The MDF material has very good compressive strength, but it is less durable under bending stress compared to solid wood or metal.
The maximum recommended load of about 13–17 kg (29–37 lbs) per shelf refers to evenly distributed weight. Books packed tightly and densely can quickly exceed this guideline and often cause point loads, for example, when stacks or particularly heavy items rest on a small area of the shelf.
Ultimately, the durability largely depends on these factors:
- How evenly the weight is distributed
- The climatic conditions (MDF is sensitive to moisture)
- Whether and how often the shelf is rearranged or moved
If you are considering reinforcing the shelf, you could stabilize it from the back with thin metal angle brackets or wooden dowels. This noticeably increases bending strength without significantly affecting the design.
I also recommend regularly checking the condition of the shelves and detecting excessive sagging early.
If you like, we can also discuss alternatives that are mechanically more robust.
KALLAX shelves, especially the 8-compartment version with a span of about 77 cm (30 inches), are generally suitable for a certain level of continuous load. The MDF material has very good compressive strength, but it is less durable under bending stress compared to solid wood or metal.
The maximum recommended load of about 13–17 kg (29–37 lbs) per shelf refers to evenly distributed weight. Books packed tightly and densely can quickly exceed this guideline and often cause point loads, for example, when stacks or particularly heavy items rest on a small area of the shelf.
Ultimately, the durability largely depends on these factors:
- How evenly the weight is distributed
- The climatic conditions (MDF is sensitive to moisture)
- Whether and how often the shelf is rearranged or moved
If you are considering reinforcing the shelf, you could stabilize it from the back with thin metal angle brackets or wooden dowels. This noticeably increases bending strength without significantly affecting the design.
I also recommend regularly checking the condition of the shelves and detecting excessive sagging early.
If you like, we can also discuss alternatives that are mechanically more robust.
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