ᐅ Replacing BILLY Shelves – What Should I Keep in Mind?

Created on: 13 Feb 2021 09:17
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Curtissi
Hello everyone, I want to replace the shelves in my Billy bookshelf because some are damaged, and at the same time, I want to use slightly sturdier boards. What technical and practical aspects should I consider? Are there differences in shelf boards regarding material thickness or supports? Also, what about the load capacity if I plan to store heavier items? I would appreciate any detailed information, as I want to avoid the shelf becoming unstable or buying the wrong boards.
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Edric
14 Feb 2021 10:42
Let me tell you, it’s easy to underestimate how much weight a full binder can have. It’s better to be on the safe side here! If you want to store several binders and the shelf cannot safely support the load, you’ll end up with an unpleasant problem. Maybe you can reinforce the shelves with locally sourced wood or support them with small U-shaped metal brackets.
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Kolepau
14 Feb 2021 11:27
Yeah, the right decision not to take this lightly! 😊 When it comes to measuring: a digital caliper is a great investment; it always keeps you on the safe side.

And, by the way: sometimes it’s worth having the boards processed further at the hardware store (rounding edges, drilling) when you switch to thicker boards. This way, everything stays neat and stable!
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Curtissi
15 Feb 2021 09:02
One last question from my side: If I use thicker boards for the shelves, for example 25 mm (1 inch), is there a way to adjust the existing shelf supports or pins to fit? Or would it be better to use completely new brackets? Thanks again to everyone for the extensive help!
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sonplo
15 Feb 2021 10:18
Curtissi schrieb:
If I use thicker shelves, for example, 25mm (1 inch) boards, is there a way to adapt the existing shelf supports or pins to fit?

In most cases, the original shelf supports cannot be reused if the shelves are significantly thicker. These pins are usually designed for 16mm (5/8 inch) thickness. I recommend purchasing new brackets with longer pins that can be securely fixed into the shelving system. There are also universal shelf supports available in specialty stores that are more flexible.

This way, you avoid problems when placing the shelves, and they will sit securely.
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TANBLA
15 Feb 2021 11:03
Buy new brackets that are longer. The originals are too short for thick boards.
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liRaul49
15 Feb 2021 12:29
I can confirm that. During my renovation, new, longer joists were necessary. Otherwise, the floor couldn’t be properly installed.