ᐅ Why do screws in BILLY furniture come loose after some time?
Created on: 23 Aug 2018 19:04
T
tjorvenGood evening everyone, I have been using various BILLY shelves from IKEA for some time now and have noticed a phenomenon that I would like to understand better: Why do the screws in BILLY furniture tend to loosen over time?
I am not referring to screws being intentionally loosened, but rather during normal use—without significant stress or tampering—I have observed several screws that loosen or become unstable on their own.
I am interested in whether this is related to the material quality or the construction method, or if environmental factors (such as humidity) might play a role. Additionally, I would like to know what can be done to keep the screws securely tightened over the long term without damaging the furniture.
Does anyone have solid experience with this or can explain it in more detail?
I am not referring to screws being intentionally loosened, but rather during normal use—without significant stress or tampering—I have observed several screws that loosen or become unstable on their own.
I am interested in whether this is related to the material quality or the construction method, or if environmental factors (such as humidity) might play a role. Additionally, I would like to know what can be done to keep the screws securely tightened over the long term without damaging the furniture.
Does anyone have solid experience with this or can explain it in more detail?
Regarding the question: "Why do screws in BILLY furniture loosen over time?" I can explain the following.
The furniture is mainly made of particleboard or MDF with a thin foil coating, which is cost-effective but also involves technical limitations. The screw connection is therefore only durable to a certain extent because the wood-based material can expand and contract due to stress, temperature changes, and humidity.
When screws or dowels connect the panels, movements occur that gradually cause the joint to loosen. Additionally, the fastening points in BILLY furniture are relatively small, which affects durability.
My suggestions:
1. Regularly check and tighten the screws.
2. For increased stability, use special dowels or additional glue joints.
3. During assembly, be careful not to drive the screws too deep or too tight, as this can damage the surrounding material.
In summary, the issue is more technical in nature due to the material properties and design rather than a defect or quality problem. With some maintenance, the furniture remains stable much longer.
The furniture is mainly made of particleboard or MDF with a thin foil coating, which is cost-effective but also involves technical limitations. The screw connection is therefore only durable to a certain extent because the wood-based material can expand and contract due to stress, temperature changes, and humidity.
When screws or dowels connect the panels, movements occur that gradually cause the joint to loosen. Additionally, the fastening points in BILLY furniture are relatively small, which affects durability.
My suggestions:
1. Regularly check and tighten the screws.
2. For increased stability, use special dowels or additional glue joints.
3. During assembly, be careful not to drive the screws too deep or too tight, as this can damage the surrounding material.
In summary, the issue is more technical in nature due to the material properties and design rather than a defect or quality problem. With some maintenance, the furniture remains stable much longer.
klabe schrieb:
The problem arises from stresses and material properties that cause loosening.Yes, that’s exactly right! I have a BILLY shelf myself, which I bought a year ago. At first, I had the same issue with loose screws. But by now, I see it as a completely natural process. 🙂
Considering how affordable the shelves are and how much I’ve already used mine – super flexible and strong!
My advice: regularly tighten the screws and maybe add small felt pads to the feet to distribute the load more evenly and reduce wobbling. This helps keep the screws secure.
Just keep at it, and the furniture will bring you enjoyment for a long time! 🙂
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