ᐅ Why do some screws come loose in BILLY despite being securely fastened?

Hello everyone,

I have a specific question that has been on my mind for some time while assembling my BILLY bookshelf: Why do some screws come loose over time even though they were installed very firmly and correctly?

I have noticed that especially the screws that should be very tight tend to loosen after a few weeks, even though I followed the recommended torque during assembly and there is no excessive play.

I would like to understand which mechanisms or material properties might be involved here, whether the type of screws themselves, assembly errors, internal stresses in the shelf, or possibly environmental factors like temperature or humidity could contribute to the loosening.

Does anyone have experience with this issue or know the technical background as to why screws in BILLY bookshelves do not stay securely fastened in the long term despite proper assembly?

Thanks for your insights!

The fact that screws loosen despite being firmly installed is a well-known phenomenon that does not only occur with BILLY. In general, screw connections are subjected to dynamic stresses, which can lead to loosening due to material stresses, vibrations, or temperature fluctuations.

In the case of BILLY, the screws are usually driven into wood-based panels or particleboard. These materials do not provide the same strength as solid wood or metal, which is why screws can mainly loosen due to their limited holding power.

Additionally, the gap between shelf parts and slight movements are causes, as well as the low number of clamping points that are regularly loaded. This can result in screws loosening due to micro-movements within the material.

The problem often arises because screws do not hold well in particleboard. Screws can loosen due to vibrations or movement. Using threadlocker or regularly tightening the screws is recommended.

bupar schrieb:
In BILLY’s case, these are usually wood or particle boards

That’s correct, and that’s exactly where the problem lies! 😊 These particle boards are beloved by furniture enthusiasts but have a natural tendency for screws to come loose. You can imagine it like a dance partner who joins in but occasionally falls out of rhythm.

A little tip: If you want to prevent screws from loosening at the slightest wobble, consider using thread-locking compounds or washers that add a bit more grip. 😉

It depends on the materials and the installation depth. Screws in particleboard do not hold as well if they are screwed in too deep. It is better to stick to recommended values and use screw locking methods.

Loosening can also occur due to temperature fluctuations. Since BILLY is often placed in living areas, minimal material expansion is possible. This can cause screws to loosen, despite a secure initial installation.