ᐅ Why do some BILLY shelves start squeaking only after extended use?
Created on: 12 Nov 2021 08:37
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nils-bla
Hello everyone, I have a question that has been on my mind for a while: Why do some Billy bookcases start squeaking only after extended use?
I’m specifically thinking about the typical material and construction – in my case, I noticed a slight creaking at the joints and contact surfaces only after a few months, even though everything was tight during assembly and there was no visible damage. Could this be related to material fatigue, tension in the screws, or environmental factors like moisture?
I would like to understand the cause so I can prevent it or fix it if necessary. Perhaps someone here has experience with BILLY bookcases and can explain this phenomenon from a technical perspective? Thanks!
I’m specifically thinking about the typical material and construction – in my case, I noticed a slight creaking at the joints and contact surfaces only after a few months, even though everything was tight during assembly and there was no visible damage. Could this be related to material fatigue, tension in the screws, or environmental factors like moisture?
I would like to understand the cause so I can prevent it or fix it if necessary. Perhaps someone here has experience with BILLY bookcases and can explain this phenomenon from a technical perspective? Thanks!
karlau schrieb:
Maybe the whole BILLY story is just a huge marketing stunt in the endThat’s a bold claim. I rather think that the squeaking is a technical consequence of the material choice, which often also keeps costs in mind. However, there are certainly technical options to minimize this issue—for example, through different types of joints or surface treatments.
BEMAU schrieb:
Temperature changes can affect the fit – that sounds plausible, but would it make sense to measure moisture here to narrow it down more precisely?As an addition: The squeaking often occurs due to micro-movements at the connection points, especially when chipboard is combined with metal fittings. The metal screws, together with the wood-based material, can allow movement because of the different material properties during temperature and humidity fluctuations, which causes noise.
Tip: When installing, ensure that the screws are evenly tensioned and avoid applying excessive force, as this can damage the material.
Tip: When installing, ensure that the screws are evenly tensioned and avoid applying excessive force, as this can damage the material.
Am I the only one who finds squeaking to be an overly exaggerated concern? Of course, wood or particle board will squeak when it moves. But that is not something that makes a piece of furniture unusable.
What annoys me much more are pieces of furniture that squeak and wobble continuously. These are manufacturing defects or poor assembly, not the material itself.
I think we should move away from the idea that any noise is always a sign of a defect.
What annoys me much more are pieces of furniture that squeak and wobble continuously. These are manufacturing defects or poor assembly, not the material itself.
I think we should move away from the idea that any noise is always a sign of a defect.
Lamar schrieb:
What really annoys me are furniture pieces that squeak and wobble permanentlyThat’s a good point! It’s definitely important to distinguish between temporary creaking caused by environmental factors and lasting instability.
However, temporary noises in Billy shelves can indicate material and assembly characteristics you should be aware of if you want to use the furniture for a longer time.
Dirkmin schrieb:
Tip: Make sure to apply uniform preload to the screws during assemblyThanks, that strongly suggests the issue arises from assembly quality! With my shelf, I initially tightened the screws quite firmly, then loosened them somewhat after a few weeks, and only noticed the creaking later on.
So, can the risk be significantly reduced by initially leaving the screws a bit looser and retightening them after 1-2 weeks once the material has settled?
I’m also curious whether any specific lubricants are more effective than, for example, regular wax?
nils-bla schrieb:
So, can the risk be significantly reduced by initially leaving screws slightly loose and then retightening them after 1–2 weeks?Exactly, this is a proven method to account for material settling. Furniture made from particleboard and engineered wood adjusts to the load over time, so minor readjustments are normal.
Regarding lubricants, I do not recommend oily substances, as they can cause the wood to swell. Dry options like beeswax or specialized furniture waxes are better long-term choices because they reduce friction without affecting the materials.
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