Hello everyone,
A few weeks ago, I bought a Kallax shelf from IKEA and I am generally satisfied with it. However, I have now noticed that the shelves creak and shift unpleasantly under load, when I place some heavy items on them. The shelves rest loosely on the side rails, which is probably the cause of the noise.
Has anyone tried fixing the shelves to the support surfaces using wood glue to prevent the creaking? I’m wondering if this is a practical solution or if it might cause issues later, for example when rearranging or regarding the load-bearing capacity.
I would be very grateful for your experiences or alternative suggestions!
A few weeks ago, I bought a Kallax shelf from IKEA and I am generally satisfied with it. However, I have now noticed that the shelves creak and shift unpleasantly under load, when I place some heavy items on them. The shelves rest loosely on the side rails, which is probably the cause of the noise.
Has anyone tried fixing the shelves to the support surfaces using wood glue to prevent the creaking? I’m wondering if this is a practical solution or if it might cause issues later, for example when rearranging or regarding the load-bearing capacity.
I would be very grateful for your experiences or alternative suggestions!
Ottmar schrieb:
Has anyone here ever tried fixing the shelves in place with wood glue at the support points to prevent squeaking?Hello Ottmar,
Your idea of using glue is quite common. Many treat the support surfaces to secure the wood more firmly and reduce movement. However, you should consider the following:
1. Wood glue hardens and permanently bonds the components – this makes later repositioning or removing the shelves significantly more difficult.
2. If the surface of the shelf or the support points are not clean or level, glue only helps to a limited extent against squeaking. A precise fit is also necessary.
3. Some users recommend small strips of felt or thin rubber pads as buffers between the shelf and the unit to mechanically reduce noise.
In summary: Glue can work but limits your options. For a damage-free and more flexible solution, accessories like foam tape strips or felt pads are alternatives. These can also be replaced or removed.
I hope this helps! 🙂
From a technical perspective, the creaking in Kallax shelves is usually caused by loose fittings and friction between the components.
Gluing the contact surfaces with wood glue is generally an option to secure them and prevent movement. However, it should be considered that IKEA furniture is typically designed for flexible assembly.
Although wood glue cures well, it does not increase the load-bearing capacity of the shelf, since the creaking often results from micro-movements at the edges that become noticeable through slight warping under load.
As an alternative, I recommend:
- Attaching thin plastic or felt pads to the support surfaces
- Reinforcing the shelves afterward with additional cross braces, if possible
- Avoiding permanent gluing to preserve modularity
Therefore, glue clearly has disadvantages in terms of flexibility.
Gluing the contact surfaces with wood glue is generally an option to secure them and prevent movement. However, it should be considered that IKEA furniture is typically designed for flexible assembly.
Although wood glue cures well, it does not increase the load-bearing capacity of the shelf, since the creaking often results from micro-movements at the edges that become noticeable through slight warping under load.
As an alternative, I recommend:
- Attaching thin plastic or felt pads to the support surfaces
- Reinforcing the shelves afterward with additional cross braces, if possible
- Avoiding permanent gluing to preserve modularity
Therefore, glue clearly has disadvantages in terms of flexibility.
Ottmar schrieb:
Has anyone here ever tried fixing the shelves with wood glue at the support points to prevent creaking?Hello Ottmar,
I'll briefly outline how I would approach this so you have a clear overview:
1. Check condition: Take a close look at the edges and support surfaces. Are the shelves warped or are the strips uneven? This is often the cause of noises.
2. Check materials: Wood glue on veneered or painted surfaces can cause stains. Use carefully!
3. Alternatives to glue:
- Felt pads (small felt strips attached with double-sided tape)
- Silicone furniture pads
4. Gluing with wood glue:
- Apply very sparingly on the support surface
- Press for a few minutes to ensure exact fit
- But only if you are sure you won’t need to remove the shelf again
5. Load capacity: Glue hardly changes load-bearing capacity; this depends on the furniture construction. If shelves sag, reinforcement is the only solution.
6. Summary: Glue can help but is a permanent solution. Felt pads are reversible and a much neater fix for your problem.
I hope this gives you some guidance! If you like, I can share some sources for suitable felt pads.
LOJOPAR schrieb:
Felt pads (small felt strips attached with double-sided tape)I can definitely confirm that! I had a creaky Kallax in my living room as well. Just stuck some narrow felt strips where the floor meets the unit – since then, no more noise.
Tevin schrieb:
Some users recommend small strips of felt or thin rubber bumpers as cushions between the shelf and the floor to reduce noise mechanically.Exactly, this keeps things flexible and you can always rearrange later. Glue is permanent, but if you want to move it, that gets difficult.
And honestly: the creaking usually comes from small movements that can be dampened mechanically. So better to cushion rather than glue.
Just my two cents. Good luck solving the problem! 🙂
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