Hello everyone,
I have a Billy bookshelf from IKEA and would like to try an alternative material for the shelves instead of the usual particleboard. Currently, the shelves are typically made of coated particleboard with a thin melamine layer, which works well for many purposes, but I am interested in more durable, possibly sturdier, or visually more appealing materials.
I would appreciate any experiences and recommendations regarding suitable replacement materials for the BILLY shelves. The material should be relatively easy to work with (cutting, etc.), remain stable, and not add too much thickness, so the bookshelf does not look too bulky.
Have you ever used solid wood, plywood, MDF, or other materials for shelves? How durable are they, what about their appearance, and do you have any practical tips for selecting or working with them?
I look forward to your opinions and advice!
I have a Billy bookshelf from IKEA and would like to try an alternative material for the shelves instead of the usual particleboard. Currently, the shelves are typically made of coated particleboard with a thin melamine layer, which works well for many purposes, but I am interested in more durable, possibly sturdier, or visually more appealing materials.
I would appreciate any experiences and recommendations regarding suitable replacement materials for the BILLY shelves. The material should be relatively easy to work with (cutting, etc.), remain stable, and not add too much thickness, so the bookshelf does not look too bulky.
Have you ever used solid wood, plywood, MDF, or other materials for shelves? How durable are they, what about their appearance, and do you have any practical tips for selecting or working with them?
I look forward to your opinions and advice!
D
Demetrius12 Aug 2020 09:17I can completely understand that you are looking for a material that is both more durable and more elegant.
I really liked the combination of plywood for strength, combined with a high-quality lacquer finish. This gave me a long-lasting surface and a refined look.
I would first choose one of the materials and then have a small sample cut to test it in the shelf, also considering the weight and fit.
Bo-be66 schrieb:
Have you ever used solid wood, plywood, MDF, or other materials for shelves? How durable are they, what about the appearance, and do you have any practical tips for choosing or working with them?
I really liked the combination of plywood for strength, combined with a high-quality lacquer finish. This gave me a long-lasting surface and a refined look.
I would first choose one of the materials and then have a small sample cut to test it in the shelf, also considering the weight and fit.
S
sarGabriel12 Aug 2020 09:42Glass shelves can also be used if a particularly light appearance is desired. However, pay attention to the load-bearing capacity and check the mounting options in the Billy unit.
For everyday use, plywood is more practical.
For everyday use, plywood is more practical.
sarGabriel schrieb:
You can also use glass shelves if you want a particularly light and airy look.Interesting point, thanks. I hadn’t considered glass until now – but what about stability and weight? For use in a hobby room, glass might not be ideal due to the risk of impact damage.
Are there specific types of glass commonly used for shelves? I assume safety glass?
I would appreciate any tips.
F
flo-Theres12 Aug 2020 11:00Bo-be66 schrieb:
For use in a hobby room, glass probably wouldn’t be ideal due to the risk of impact?Exactly, 4-6 mm (0.16-0.24 inches) toughened safety glass (single-pane safety glass) is commonly used as glass shelves for furniture. It offers high strength and, if broken, shatters into small, less dangerous pieces.
However, glass shelves are heavy and less convenient to handle if you need to remove them frequently. They are also more expensive.
For a hobby room with occasional exposure to moisture, other materials are usually better due to their lower impact resistance.
Bo-be66 schrieb:
Are there any experiences with thinner multiplex boards at 12 mm (0.5 inches) or even thinner? Or alternatives that remain very thin and stable?I would also recommend not making the shelves thinner than 12 mm (0.5 inches), as noticeable deflection can occur with longer spans.
Alternatively, coated OSB boards also work well.
Another interesting approach: some users suggest gluing a thin wooden beam or an aluminum strip to the underside of the shelves. This greatly increases load-bearing capacity and allows the use of thinner boards.
I just wanted to quickly say that thanks to the discussion here, I decided to try plywood – in 15mm (0.6 inches).
Cutting was easy, I oiled the edges, and honestly, I’m really impressed by the feel.
Sure, it’s a bit more expensive and heavier, but the difference in texture compared to standard material is huge. Plus, the shelf looks more high-quality.
Cutting was easy, I oiled the edges, and honestly, I’m really impressed by the feel.
Sure, it’s a bit more expensive and heavier, but the difference in texture compared to standard material is huge. Plus, the shelf looks more high-quality.
Similar topics