Hello everyone, I have a Billy bookcase from IKEA that has swollen significantly at the bottom edges due to moisture. The surface is warped, and the stability is no longer fully reliable. My question is: Is it worth repairing the swollen parts with appropriate products, or would a complete replacement of the bookcase be more reasonable and possibly even more cost-effective in this situation? I look forward to your assessments, experiences, and tips on the best way to proceed.
A small addition: If you replace floors individually, make sure to choose appropriate replacement materials, ideally MDF or plywood with suitable coating. Cheap particleboard alternatives tend to swell faster. Also, use moisture-resistant screws or fittings during installation.
Christmas is here, and sometimes stepping back helps with decisions like these 🙂 Maybe take some time to consider whether the effort and stress of the renovation are manageable for you, or if getting a new shelving unit would be better. There are also used BILLY shelves in good condition, if that’s an option. Wishing you a good solution and some peace while working on your project.
Thanks for the many helpful posts and advice! After all your comments, I am leaning towards addressing the root cause and only replacing the lower shelves. I will sand the side thoroughly and treat it with filler, then seal it. I will seal off the moisture source and keep the air drier with a small fan heater. I’ll keep you updated on how the repair goes.
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