ᐅ Kallax shelves cracking at the corners – any repair suggestions?

Created on: 22 May 2021 08:17

Hello everyone, I have an issue with my Kallax shelf: the shelves keep cracking at the corners, even though I only store normal loads on them. It seems like the material reinforcement at the corners is simply not sufficient, or the wood is somehow too brittle. Has anyone experienced this problem before? I’m especially interested in repair ideas that provide more than just a short-term fix and actually improve the stability of the boards. Tips for prevention to stop the corners from fraying further are also welcome. Thanks in advance for your help!

besau22 May 2021 10:45

Metal brackets at the corners are the best choice. Simply screw them in, no fuss.

kinsi22 May 2021 11:12

You can fill minor cracks with wood filler and then sand them. Afterward, protect the surface with clear varnish.

teo-fra22 May 2021 11:27

tutan schrieb:
I did a bit of tinkering and simply covered the corners with standard plastic corner protectors

Good tip, thanks! At first, I wondered if that might look too different from the original design, but if it’s durable and replaceable when needed, it’s definitely worth considering.

TANBLA schrieb:
Wood glue in the cracks, then reinforce the corners with metal brackets.

I’ll give that a try as well. Which metal brackets would you recommend? Small and hidden ones or maybe a bit more visible but stronger?

Domau022 May 2021 12:04

#10

teo-fra schrieb:
Which metal brackets would you recommend? Small and invisible ones or rather more visible but sturdier ones?

If appearance is important to you, you can use small galvanized brackets that are quite discreet. However, flatter brackets with a larger surface area are better because they distribute the load more evenly.

I prefer brackets with a 30 to 40 mm (1.2 to 1.6 inches) edge length and at least two screws per side; this way the load is well distributed and there is no single point of excessive stress.

Pre-drilling is important, otherwise you might cause new cracks.

If you really need high stability, you can also attach L-shaped metal profiles behind the shelf board. These are less noticeable from below but last longer.

neoren22 May 2021 12:36

#11

Do you prefer to glue something? If yes: Use high-quality wood glue and additionally reinforce corners with tape while it dries. Afterwards, small screws can also help.

barEsperan22 May 2021 14:11

#12

If you move furniture around frequently, I would consider reinforcements made from aluminum profiles on the edges. Most damage occurs from impacts.

ᐅ Kallax shelves cracking at the corners – any repair suggestions?

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