ᐅ Are there any tips for installing Billy shelves in older buildings?
Created on: 20 Nov 2024 09:13
L
lumukar
Do you have any tips for installing Billy shelves in older buildings?
I want to install several Billy shelves at home, in an older building with somewhat uneven walls and partly fragile plaster. I’ve read that you often can’t just drill “as is” in older buildings because the material behind the plaster can vary – wooden laths, bricks, or even clay, etc. I’m interested in which methods you would recommend to mount the shelves securely and stably without damaging the walls or making the shelves unstable.
Which anchors and screws work best, and are there any tricks that specifically apply to walls in older buildings? Also, is it essential to identify the exact wall type before screwing in? I look forward to your experiences and recommendations!
I want to install several Billy shelves at home, in an older building with somewhat uneven walls and partly fragile plaster. I’ve read that you often can’t just drill “as is” in older buildings because the material behind the plaster can vary – wooden laths, bricks, or even clay, etc. I’m interested in which methods you would recommend to mount the shelves securely and stably without damaging the walls or making the shelves unstable.
Which anchors and screws work best, and are there any tricks that specifically apply to walls in older buildings? Also, is it essential to identify the exact wall type before screwing in? I look forward to your experiences and recommendations!
Hello lumukar,
I like to go into detail because with older buildings, every wall is truly different, and the “standard approach” often doesn’t fit.
First of all, you should definitely investigate the wall construction. A digital multi-detector with deep scan can show you if there are cavities or wooden beams behind the plaster. For brick walls, I strongly recommend using a drill with a rotation stop to avoid damaging the masonry.
For anchors, I suggest heavy-duty metal anchors for brick walls, possibly combined with chemical injection mortar if the brick is porous. When drilling into wood, use countersunk wood screws; galvanized screws are ideal for durability.
That’s exactly an important point! Also, mixing and curing the adhesive should always be done according to the manufacturer’s instructions—humidity and temperature often affect the curing time.
I would like to add to that— even small deviations can cause the shelf to be crooked or unstable, especially with Billy-type shelves, which might otherwise fall apart.
Are there any uneven areas on your walls? If so, it might make sense to screw small wooden slats onto the back panel to even things out before attaching the shelf.
One more tip: always take two drill bits in different sizes. First, pre-drill the hole according to the anchor size, then if necessary, enlarge the hole with the correct bit for the anchor and blow it out cleanly.
I’m happy to share more technical details if you want.
I like to go into detail because with older buildings, every wall is truly different, and the “standard approach” often doesn’t fit.
First of all, you should definitely investigate the wall construction. A digital multi-detector with deep scan can show you if there are cavities or wooden beams behind the plaster. For brick walls, I strongly recommend using a drill with a rotation stop to avoid damaging the masonry.
For anchors, I suggest heavy-duty metal anchors for brick walls, possibly combined with chemical injection mortar if the brick is porous. When drilling into wood, use countersunk wood screws; galvanized screws are ideal for durability.
blapau schrieb:
chemical anchors for especially porous or crumbly masonry
That’s exactly an important point! Also, mixing and curing the adhesive should always be done according to the manufacturer’s instructions—humidity and temperature often affect the curing time.
koduga schrieb:
use a spirit level and a fine pencil to mark everything precisely
I would like to add to that— even small deviations can cause the shelf to be crooked or unstable, especially with Billy-type shelves, which might otherwise fall apart.
Are there any uneven areas on your walls? If so, it might make sense to screw small wooden slats onto the back panel to even things out before attaching the shelf.
One more tip: always take two drill bits in different sizes. First, pre-drill the hole according to the anchor size, then if necessary, enlarge the hole with the correct bit for the anchor and blow it out cleanly.
I’m happy to share more technical details if you want.
Thank you all for your many suggestions! The tips on choosing the right anchors and the advice on testing the wall have already been very helpful.
Are there any recommendations on which combination of tools works best? So far, I only have a hammer drill but no cordless screwdriver or special tools for anchors.
Jensson schrieb:That would be great if you still have it available. I’m especially interested in the best approach when the wall is slightly uneven and the plaster is crumbly.
If you like, I can send you a step-by-step guide for the installation.
Dilen schrieb:That sounds very practical – I will check my wall more carefully again.
If so, it might make sense to screw small wooden battens onto the back wall to even it out.
Are there any recommendations on which combination of tools works best? So far, I only have a hammer drill but no cordless screwdriver or special tools for anchors.
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