ᐅ My KALLAX makes a creaking noise when it gets warm – could this be a material defect?
Created on: 19 Jul 2021 08:37
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Beatriz
Hello everyone, I have a KALLAX shelf from IKEA that is in my living room. I noticed that it starts to squeak, especially when the room temperature is higher. This noise usually occurs when it gets warmer in the summer or when the heating is turned up a lot. It bothers me because it sounds somewhat “mechanical,” almost as if the material is warping or under stress due to the heat. My main question is: Could this squeaking be a sign of a material defect, or is it more likely a normal physical reaction that you can expect from furniture made of particleboard or similar engineered wood products? I look forward to hearing your assessments and experiences.
I think it’s good that this topic has been brought up because the squeaking has also annoyed me with my KALLAX. It’s not really damage, but it can still be irritating. The important thing is not to overlook it, as it can indicate long-term stress that puts strain on the furniture.
I would also suggest checking the position of the shelf. Mine was once placed on uneven floor tiles, which increased the tension. Maybe you can adjust that before reading too much into it.
In the end, it’s a bit like with old windows or doors – the noise doesn’t necessarily mean something is broken, but rather that the material is reacting.
Beatriz schrieb:
When it gets warmer and my KALLAX squeaks, I’m not sure if it’s a material defect.
I would also suggest checking the position of the shelf. Mine was once placed on uneven floor tiles, which increased the tension. Maybe you can adjust that before reading too much into it.
In the end, it’s a bit like with old windows or doors – the noise doesn’t necessarily mean something is broken, but rather that the material is reacting.
I would like to add that for particleboard furniture like KALLAX, the type of adhesive used and the surface treatment have a significant impact on how the material reacts to temperature changes. Moisture and temperature cause slight expansions, and if these occur unevenly, stresses can develop that may result in creaking noises.
A material defect is present if the noises are accompanied by visible cracks, deformations, or instability. Otherwise, this behavior is generally normal.
I recommend checking the screws, as already mentioned, and ensuring that the shelf is neither tightly wedged nor overcrowded, allowing it to expand “freely.” Small rubber or felt pads can help reduce mechanical friction at connection points.
A material defect is present if the noises are accompanied by visible cracks, deformations, or instability. Otherwise, this behavior is generally normal.
I recommend checking the screws, as already mentioned, and ensuring that the shelf is neither tightly wedged nor overcrowded, allowing it to expand “freely.” Small rubber or felt pads can help reduce mechanical friction at connection points.
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