Hello everyone,
I plan to mount my IKEA Billy shelves on a wall with a very smooth surface, something like smooth concrete or a skim-coated, smooth plaster. The wall seems to be hardly porous, which makes using conventional anchors and screws difficult.
My question is: which methods or special fastening materials are best suited to securely and permanently fix the shelves? I want to avoid the shelves slipping over time or not providing the necessary stability due to improper installation.
Also, I’m interested in any specific tips for preparing the wall, such as surface treatment measures, to help the fittings hold better.
I’m familiar with the standard anchors for concrete or hollow walls, but my wall doesn’t quite fit into those typical categories.
I would really appreciate detailed experiences, as well as advice on tools and techniques, and also tips on common mistakes to avoid.
Thanks in advance!
I plan to mount my IKEA Billy shelves on a wall with a very smooth surface, something like smooth concrete or a skim-coated, smooth plaster. The wall seems to be hardly porous, which makes using conventional anchors and screws difficult.
My question is: which methods or special fastening materials are best suited to securely and permanently fix the shelves? I want to avoid the shelves slipping over time or not providing the necessary stability due to improper installation.
Also, I’m interested in any specific tips for preparing the wall, such as surface treatment measures, to help the fittings hold better.
I’m familiar with the standard anchors for concrete or hollow walls, but my wall doesn’t quite fit into those typical categories.
I would really appreciate detailed experiences, as well as advice on tools and techniques, and also tips on common mistakes to avoid.
Thanks in advance!
Hello Moarjen,
First of all, it sounds like you have a very smooth, closed-cell wall, which indeed makes fastening more challenging. With such walls, it is important that the anchor properly grips the material and does not just hold on the surface.
Regarding your questions:
1. Definitely use high-quality expansion anchors or even special chemical anchors that work with resin. Chemical anchors cure inside the drilled hole and adhere much better to smooth surfaces.
2. Before installation, it is crucial to thoroughly clean and remove dust from the drilled holes, as dust can significantly reduce adhesion.
3. Sometimes it helps to drill the hole slightly larger and treat it with a suitable bonding primer (such as an adhesion promoter for smooth concrete surfaces) to improve the connection.
I recommend carefully checking the load-bearing capacities of the anchors and having stronger ones on hand just to be safe.
If you can provide more detailed information about the wall surface, I can offer more specific advice.
First of all, it sounds like you have a very smooth, closed-cell wall, which indeed makes fastening more challenging. With such walls, it is important that the anchor properly grips the material and does not just hold on the surface.
Regarding your questions:
1. Definitely use high-quality expansion anchors or even special chemical anchors that work with resin. Chemical anchors cure inside the drilled hole and adhere much better to smooth surfaces.
2. Before installation, it is crucial to thoroughly clean and remove dust from the drilled holes, as dust can significantly reduce adhesion.
3. Sometimes it helps to drill the hole slightly larger and treat it with a suitable bonding primer (such as an adhesion promoter for smooth concrete surfaces) to improve the connection.
I recommend carefully checking the load-bearing capacities of the anchors and having stronger ones on hand just to be safe.
If you can provide more detailed information about the wall surface, I can offer more specific advice.
Hello,
I know how unsettling it can be to mount shelves on unusual walls.
I once had a similar experience with very smooth, white plastered walls. Back then, I also looked for a lot of advice, and what helped me was trying "
What worried me at first was the drilling itself because it’s easy to slip and end up with a damaged hole. It helps to pre-drill with a smaller drill bit and use a drilling guide or place a piece of tape on the spot to stabilize the drill.
Also important: after installing the anchors, don’t hang heavy loads immediately. I always waited 24 hours until the resin was fully cured. This ensures maximum safety.
So don’t stress too much; there are reliable methods. 🙂
I know how unsettling it can be to mount shelves on unusual walls.
I once had a similar experience with very smooth, white plastered walls. Back then, I also looked for a lot of advice, and what helped me was trying "
Ramon4 schrieb:." They held really well.
chemical anchors that use resin
What worried me at first was the drilling itself because it’s easy to slip and end up with a damaged hole. It helps to pre-drill with a smaller drill bit and use a drilling guide or place a piece of tape on the spot to stabilize the drill.
Also important: after installing the anchors, don’t hang heavy loads immediately. I always waited 24 hours until the resin was fully cured. This ensures maximum safety.
So don’t stress too much; there are reliable methods. 🙂
Hello Moarjen,
to keep this topic clear, here is a short step-by-step guide for securely mounting BILLY shelves on smooth walls, including common pitfalls:
1. Wall inspection: Check the wall for cavities or cracks. For very smooth, solid concrete walls, drilling with a masonry or concrete drill bit is required.
2. Drill hole: Avoid drilling mistakes such as enlarging the hole by tilting the drill. It’s best to use a drill guide or mark the drilling depth on the drill bit.
3. Cleaning: After drilling, thoroughly remove dust from the hole using a vacuum cleaner or brush. Dust significantly reduces adhesion.
4. Anchor choice: Chemical anchors are the best option for smooth and dense surfaces because they bond the hole firmly and evenly distribute the load.
5. Chemical anchor application: Fill the hole deeply with the special resin, insert the threaded rod immediately, and hold it steady until it cures.
6. Curing time: Wait at least 24 hours, as mentioned before, before loading the shelves.
7. Mounting the brackets: Screw the brackets into the anchors only after full curing.
8. Load distribution: When installing multiple shelves, try to distribute the load evenly and place screws in the central positions.
Typical mistakes are loading too quickly, poor dust removal, or using cheap anchors that do not hold well in smooth walls.
I hope this helps you.
to keep this topic clear, here is a short step-by-step guide for securely mounting BILLY shelves on smooth walls, including common pitfalls:
1. Wall inspection: Check the wall for cavities or cracks. For very smooth, solid concrete walls, drilling with a masonry or concrete drill bit is required.
2. Drill hole: Avoid drilling mistakes such as enlarging the hole by tilting the drill. It’s best to use a drill guide or mark the drilling depth on the drill bit.
3. Cleaning: After drilling, thoroughly remove dust from the hole using a vacuum cleaner or brush. Dust significantly reduces adhesion.
4. Anchor choice: Chemical anchors are the best option for smooth and dense surfaces because they bond the hole firmly and evenly distribute the load.
5. Chemical anchor application: Fill the hole deeply with the special resin, insert the threaded rod immediately, and hold it steady until it cures.
6. Curing time: Wait at least 24 hours, as mentioned before, before loading the shelves.
7. Mounting the brackets: Screw the brackets into the anchors only after full curing.
8. Load distribution: When installing multiple shelves, try to distribute the load evenly and place screws in the central positions.
Typical mistakes are loading too quickly, poor dust removal, or using cheap anchors that do not hold well in smooth walls.
I hope this helps you.
In addition to the previous tips:
When drilling, use a rotary hammer drill with an appropriate concrete drill bit. Drill perpendicular to the surface and keep the drill steady during drilling to avoid chipping around the hole.
When installing chemical anchors, be careful not to use too much resin, as this can cause resistance when screwing in. Any small excess can be easily removed with a plastic scraper.
I also recommend test-fitting all screws and brackets into the anchors once they have fully cured before final assembly.
This ensures precise fitting and prevents having to drill into the wall again later due to misaligned holes.
With these tips, your BILLY shelf should hold very securely.
When drilling, use a rotary hammer drill with an appropriate concrete drill bit. Drill perpendicular to the surface and keep the drill steady during drilling to avoid chipping around the hole.
When installing chemical anchors, be careful not to use too much resin, as this can cause resistance when screwing in. Any small excess can be easily removed with a plastic scraper.
I also recommend test-fitting all screws and brackets into the anchors once they have fully cured before final assembly.
This ensures precise fitting and prevents having to drill into the wall again later due to misaligned holes.
With these tips, your BILLY shelf should hold very securely.
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