ᐅ The KALLAX creaks louder with changing temperatures – what could be the reason?

Created on: 18 Feb 2020 08:37
P
Pekau
Hello everyone,

I’ve noticed that my KALLAX shelf has been creaking much more loudly lately when the outdoor temperatures fluctuate significantly. Especially in the mornings or evenings, when it gets colder, I hear these typical cracking noises that are otherwise barely noticeable.

I suspect that the variations in room temperature cause the wood or the connectors to move, which creates the noise, but I’m not sure why it sounds louder at times or if there’s anything that can be done about it.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Can you explain what exactly causes creaking with changing temperatures and whether there might be a way to reduce it? Thanks in advance for your help!
G
glamo8
18 Feb 2020 11:59
Just a quick tip: If you support the shelf with rubber or felt pads between the floor and the shelf, you can also prevent floor vibrations from amplifying the noise.
P
Pekau
18 Feb 2020 12:26
jelite schrieb:
Conclusion: Stress caused by temperature changes + altered surface moisture + mechanical load = creaking.

Thank you for the detailed explanation, jelite. That helps me a lot, especially since I had underestimated the combination with humidity until now.
edisondan schrieb:
Regularly tightening the screws and, if necessary, lightly lubricating the connection points with suitable products (e.g., silicone spray).

Can you tell me how often this should ideally be done? I mean as a maintenance interval, assuming the shelf is used daily. And is silicone spray really safe for the surface of the wood-based panels, or should one be cautious?
N
Nigel
18 Feb 2020 13:02
Retighten screws as needed, but at least 1-2 times per year for furniture like KALLAX. Use silicone spray sparingly, preferably only on the connecting parts, not on visible surfaces.
K
Katan
19 Feb 2020 08:07
I treated my KALLAX with some beeswax on the joints, lightly massaging it in. This reduced the creaking a bit and also feels good 🙂

Of course, it’s not a perfect solution, but maybe a nice trick in addition to checking screws and monitoring humidity. A little care simply benefits the shelf.
R
Renegi
19 Feb 2020 09:44
Pekau schrieb:
And is silicone spray really harmless for the surface of the wood-based panels, or should you be careful?

Be careful. Spray it onto a cloth, not directly on the wood, to avoid stains and residue.