Popular types of material for use in shelving
MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) – MDF is stronger than chipboard but care needs to be taken when working with MDF as it is manufactured using urea-formaldehyde resin, which can be harmful. Before working with MDF, adequate precautions must be taken to provide ventilation and a face mask should be worn to avoid breathing in the dust when machining it are essential.
Formaldehyde can also be released over time in low concentrations; not everyone is affected, but some people can be adversely affected by just having a piece of MDF in a room (this is very rare.)
MDF can be finished using paint to suit the surrounding décor or it can just be sealed with an appropriate varnish. Use 18mm MDF as a minimum and support shelves at no greater than 500mm centres for all but the lightest of loads. Or 25mm MDF with supports no greater than 700mm apart.
Glass shelves
Glass can be attractive shelving for use with light loads and many DIY stores stock pre-cut glass shelving either on its own or as part of a complete shelving kit (complete with brackets, plugs and screws) – special brackets are available for glass shelving, they have clips and lips to hold the glass in place. The glass is specially toughened so cannot be cut to size, if ‘non-standard’ sizes are required, go to a glazing merchant where it can be cut to size and then toughened. Never use ordinary window glass.
Material selection is an important step in deciding about your specific shelving solution.
Tags: glass shelving, Shelf Storage, shelving brackets, shelving materials, storage solutions