ᐅ How can I securely fix BILLY shelves to tiled floors?

Created on: 20 Apr 2023 10:12
N
nofela
Hello everyone,

I am currently working on securing several BILLY shelves from IKEA in my kitchen on a tiled floor. Since I know that tiles are particularly delicate, I want to avoid cracking or damaging them while drilling. My question is: How can I safely fasten BILLY shelves on tiled floors so that the shelves stand firmly, do not tip over, and the tiles remain as undamaged as possible?

I am interested not only in the type of anchors or screws to use but also in tips on the best drilling techniques (e.g., drill bit type, slow speed, protective measures).

Recommendations on whether special wall fasteners or base plates might help are also very welcome. Thanks in advance!
N
nofela
21 Apr 2023 10:23
Thanks for the tips so far!

One more question: If the wall behind the tiles is drywall or a thin plasterboard wall, does the approach change? The plan is to mount the BILLY shelves in a kitchen on tiles with a suspected drywall behind them.

I assume different anchors or fixings are needed in that case, right? And does anyone have tips on how to distribute the shelf’s load on such a wall to prevent it from pulling out?
R
RENMA
21 Apr 2023 11:07
Regarding the question about a drywall partition behind tiles:

Tiles can indeed be damaged when applied to drywall or gypsum board, as these walls have lower load-bearing capacity.

In this case, mounting requires special considerations:

- Use specific cavity anchors for drywall, such as toggle bolts or spring toggle anchors.

- Check the maximum load capacity of the anchors and space the drilling points as widely as possible to distribute the weight of the shelf.

- Consider attaching a wooden batten to the wall (e.g., behind the tiles or in less stressed areas). The shelf can then be mounted to this batten, which helps distribute the load more effectively.

- Alternatively, consult a professional about anchoring into the underlying wall structure—if it is load-bearing.
nofela schrieb:
wie man die Last des Regals auf so einer Wand verteilt

Another point is to support the shelf not only on the wall but also with adjustable feet on the floor. This significantly reduces the load on the wall.

These are the most common approaches for drywall partitions behind tiles.
K
Keatondra
21 Apr 2023 12:44
I would like to add the following to RENMA’s comments:

The best way to ensure a secure fixing on drywall is to use a combination of wooden battens behind the tile (if possible) and adjustable shelving feet.
RENMA schrieb:
Alternatively, you could discuss anchoring into the underlying wall structure with a professional

I consider this point very important—especially if the load from fully stocked shelves will be heavy.

Also, when drilling, be careful not to crack the tiles, and after drilling, gently deburr the holes with a small utility knife to avoid any damage.

In summary: tiles are often underestimated, but with the right technique and careful load distribution, you can definitely achieve a secure installation. Good luck! 🙂