ᐅ Billy Regal noises caused by material stress – how to prevent them?
Created on: 29 Aug 2022 10:34
D
duran36
Hello everyone,
I recently assembled a Billy bookcase from IKEA and have noticed it occasionally makes noises that I clearly attribute to material stress. The sounds occur mostly when the bookcase is loaded or when the humidity fluctuates slightly. I would like to know how to best prevent these material stress noises in Billy bookcases without completely modifying the unit. Are there any proven methods to relieve or reduce material tension? I appreciate practical tips, for example on assembly, loading, or treatment of the material. Thank you in advance!
I recently assembled a Billy bookcase from IKEA and have noticed it occasionally makes noises that I clearly attribute to material stress. The sounds occur mostly when the bookcase is loaded or when the humidity fluctuates slightly. I would like to know how to best prevent these material stress noises in Billy bookcases without completely modifying the unit. Are there any proven methods to relieve or reduce material tension? I appreciate practical tips, for example on assembly, loading, or treatment of the material. Thank you in advance!
For furniture made of particleboard, moisture absorption is the main factor causing stress, as the material behaves anisotropically. Edge and surface treatment with a water-repellent agent can help relieve this stress. Felt or plastic pads at contact points prevent friction and noise. Spacers reduce direct material pressure and allow slight movement, which helps release tension. Regular checks of screw tightness without over-tightening are important.
A preventive measure is the use of moisture-resistant impregnations or coatings on the board edges. This helps prevent swelling. Additionally, strategically placing heavy objects on the lower shelves can stabilize the support surface and thus reduce stress. Small rubber or silicone pads at connection points also absorb vibrations and decrease noise.
Charles schrieb:
Spacers reduce direct material pressure and allow slight movements, which helps relieve stress.That sounds reasonable, thanks! What materials work well as spacers? I was thinking of small silicone or plastic pads that can be placed under screw connections or wooden edges. Are there any experiences regarding whether this helps prevent stress-related noises in the long term? Or does it just shift the problem elsewhere?
duran36 schrieb:
Which materials are suitable as spacers? I was thinking of small silicone or plastic padsThose are perfect! 🙂 As long as they aren’t too hard, they provide some flexibility and help absorb stress. You also get the added benefit of compensating for minor unevenness in the floor – a double win!
Great topic! I treated my Billy shelf with fine furniture oil and also added felt pads to the contact points. Since then, no more noise, and the shelf feels more stable. Slightly tightening the screws after a few weeks also helped, as the wood had settled. Definitely keep at it – those little creaks can be quite annoying otherwise!
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