ᐅ My KALLAX free-standing unit keeps developing new cracks on the inside.

Hello everyone,

A few months ago, I bought the KALLAX freestanding unit from Ikea and noticed that the inside of the shelf, especially the back panels and sides, keeps developing fine cracks. These cracks appear not only along the edges but also across the larger surfaces within the unit.

I’ve already made sure not to overload the shelf and to avoid placing it near sources of high moisture. However, the cracks still seem to be slowly increasing.

My question to the community: Has anyone experienced this issue? Could it be related to the material quality of the KALLAX, or might environmental factors such as temperature or humidity changes be causing it? Are there any preventive measures or repair tips to stop or reduce the cracking?

I look forward to your experiences and suggestions!

lowell35 schrieb:
Does anyone know this problem? Is it due to the material quality of the KALLAX, or could it be caused by environmental factors such as temperature or humidity fluctuations?

The KALLAX unit is mostly made of particleboard with a veneer surface, which can be sensitive to changes in humidity. Cracks in the backing panels often occur when the humidity varies significantly or if the furniture is not kept at a consistent temperature. Placing the shelving unit against an exterior wall with cold exposure or direct sunlight can also cause the material to age and develop cracks.

A preventive measure is to keep the furniture in a well climate-controlled room and choose a location where direct sunlight does not fall on its surfaces. Additionally, occasional oiling or varnishing of the surfaces can help regulate moisture better.

lowell35 schrieb:
The cracks appear not only at the edges but also partially on the large surfaces within the module.

This suggests that the material is under tension. As Gino already mentioned, KALLAX uses particleboard, which can shrink when dry and cause cracks.

A tip: place your KALLAX a little away from radiators and overly heated rooms. The combination of dry air in winter and direct heat from heating systems promotes such cracks.

If you already have cracks, you can carefully fill them with wood filler, then sand and paint over them to stabilize the areas somewhat. However, it is important to address the underlying causes to prevent new cracks from constantly forming.

Gino38 schrieb:
One preventive measure is to keep the piece of furniture in a well climate-controlled room and position it so that no direct sunlight hits its surfaces.

Thanks for the advice, Gino38. The shelf is actually placed against an exterior wall where the sun shines strongly in the afternoon. So there are quite significant temperature fluctuations there.

What I don’t quite understand is this: shouldn’t IKEA furniture be better designed to handle such changes, since they are intended for regular living spaces? Or is the material inherently too sensitive because it’s produced cost-effectively?

Also, are there special protective treatments that can be applied without noticeably altering the surface? I want to keep the shelf as original as possible.

lowell35 schrieb:
Couldn’t IKEA furniture be better designed to handle such fluctuations, since they are meant for normal living spaces?

That’s an interesting point. You have to keep in mind that IKEA mainly manufactures furniture from cost-effective engineered wood materials. These materials are inherently more sensitive to moisture changes and temperature-related expansion.

So, it’s less of a production flaw and more a characteristic of the material that needs to adjust to typical indoor climate conditions. What IKEA focuses on is primarily offering the best value for money, rather than extremely durable solid wood products.

My recommendation: If you want a long-lasting solution, either use protective coatings or install specially treated back panels from a hardware store that you can cut to size.

Heating air is often the problem. Do not place the shelf too close to the radiator. Otherwise, the particle boards will deteriorate quickly.