Hello everyone,
Some time ago, I bought a Billy bookshelf from IKEA and noticed that the shelves noticeably bend under moderate weight, which affects both the overall appearance and stability. According to the product description, the shelves are 16 mm (5/8 inch) thick and made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) with a melamine resin coating. There are no extremely heavy items on them, mostly books and some decorative objects, but nothing excessive.
My question is: What options are available to prevent or at least significantly reduce the bending of the shelves? I have read about some people supporting the boards differently or adding extra reinforcements. But are there also simple, practical solutions or recommendations for alternative shelves that would fit?
I would appreciate any helpful tips and experiences!
Some time ago, I bought a Billy bookshelf from IKEA and noticed that the shelves noticeably bend under moderate weight, which affects both the overall appearance and stability. According to the product description, the shelves are 16 mm (5/8 inch) thick and made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) with a melamine resin coating. There are no extremely heavy items on them, mostly books and some decorative objects, but nothing excessive.
My question is: What options are available to prevent or at least significantly reduce the bending of the shelves? I have read about some people supporting the boards differently or adding extra reinforcements. But are there also simple, practical solutions or recommendations for alternative shelves that would fit?
I would appreciate any helpful tips and experiences!
CHENNE schrieb:
The load limits according to the manufacturer are around 15-20 kg per board.Thanks for the hint; that explains a lot. I hadn’t been aware of this before because I never actually calculated the weight. My books weigh several kilograms each, plus decorations... I guess I really exceeded the limit.
SARBLA1 schrieb:
Reinforcing or stabilizing the back panel of the shelf also helps.How exactly can I reinforce the back panel? I initially thought about adding extra battens, but is that stable enough? Are there any specific techniques or materials you would recommend?
Thanks in advance for any additional advice!
flose schrieb:
How exactly can I reinforce the back panel?Hey, yes, exactly – add a batten underneath, preferably sturdy wooden battens or metal angle brackets. If you reinforce the back panel from the inside with an additional plywood or multiplex board, it distributes the load much better.
I did the same with mine; you barely notice it, but it really makes a difference. This especially helps prevent lateral warping and increases the overall stability of your Billy. 😉
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praWarre698 Oct 2017 13:15I would like to add a note: If you want to replace the shelves, be careful with the measurements! Billy bookcases usually have special grooves, and not all slats or replacement boards fit perfectly. Otherwise, it becomes a half-measure, meaning you only partially solve the stability issue because the supports won’t fit properly anymore.
Sometimes it’s worth asking the hardware store for custom cuts or even cutting the boards yourself.
I used plywood panels and secured them with small screws, slightly adjusting the original plastic tabs beforehand.
Sometimes it’s worth asking the hardware store for custom cuts or even cutting the boards yourself.
I used plywood panels and secured them with small screws, slightly adjusting the original plastic tabs beforehand.
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