1. Introduction
1.1 Introduce the concept of wall shelf
To put it simply, a wall rack is a bracket device fixed to the wall for storing and placing items, unlike floor-standing shelves that take up floor space, and the core is to “borrow space upwards”. It comes in a variety of forms, from simple racks for hanging keys to industrial-grade storage racks that can bear hundreds of kilograms, adapting to the needs of different scenarios.
1.2 Advantages and uses of wall shelves
The advantages of wall shelves are particularly prominent: first, it saves space, especially suitable for small apartments, balconies, garages and other areas where space is tight, I helped a renter design storage before, and after replacing the floor cabinet with wall shelves, the floor space in the bedroom is directly increased by 1/3; the second is flexible adaptation, and the type and installation location can be selected according to the size of the item and usage habits; The third is to improve cleanliness and allow scattered items (such as tools, kitchenware, books) to be placed in an orderly manner. It is also widely used, such as kitchen utensils in the kitchen, tools in the garage, books in the study, green plants on the balcony, and even decorative paintings in the living room.
1.3 Overview of the purpose and structure of this paper
Many people buy wall frames but can’t install them well, either because the load capacity is not enough to fall off, or because the position is not right and awkward. This article teaches you step by step to install the wall frame correctly from the three core links of “selection, preparation and installation”, and also incorporates practical cases and professional skills. Next, let’s talk about how to choose the right wall frame, then talk about the preparation before installation, and finally the detailed installation steps, and finally FAQ and purchasing suggestions at the end.
2. Choose the right wall shelf
2.1 Types of wall shelving
Choose different types for different scenarios, which is the key to avoiding pitfalls:
- Shelf wall shelf: the most common, composed of brackets + shelves, suitable for books, green plants and other light and medium weight items, such as wooden shelf wall shelves used in the study, high appearance and practicality;
- Hook wall shelf: with hooks as the core, suitable for hanging kitchen utensils, tools, clothes, such as stainless steel hook wall shelves in the kitchen, it is very convenient to hang spatulas and spoons;
- Industrial-style heavy-duty wall frame: made of thickened steel, strong load-bearing, suitable for garage hardware tools, warehouse heavy objects, I chose this type of wall frame for auto repair shop before, the load capacity can reach 200 kg.
2.2 Material selection
Material type | Pros: | Cons: | Adapt to the scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
woody | High appearance, good texture, easy to process | Moisture-sensitive and load-bearing average (30 kg ≤ a single piece) | Study, living room, bedroom |
Stainless steel | Rust-resistant, durable, medium weight capacity (≤ 80 kg) | The texture is cooler and the appearance is average | Kitchen, balcony |
Thickened steel | Extremely load-bearing and durable | Heavy weight and slightly complicated installation | Garages, warehouses, heavy industry scenarios |
2.3 Size and load-bearing capacity
The size should be combined with the installation space and the size of the items, for example, if the balcony width is 1.2 meters, choose a 1-meter-long shelf to reserve the activity space on both sides; In terms of load-bearing, it must be “left with a margin” – the total weight of the items placed daily is recommended to not exceed 70% of the load capacity marked on the wall shelf. According to industry data, the common load capacity of household shelf wall shelves is 20-50 kg, and heavy industrial wall shelves can reach 100-300 kg. I have encountered users who bought low-quality wall shelves cheaply, and deformed after putting a few books, but fortunately they didn’t hit anything.
3. Preparation before installation
3.1 List of tools and materials
Prepare all the tools in advance to avoid many detours during installation, the must-have list is as follows:
- Core tools: electric drill (with different specifications of drill bits), level (to ensure smooth installation), tape measure (to measure), screwdriver (cross/sword), pencil (marker);
- Auxiliary materials: expansion screws (suitable for wall types), wall plugs (essential for plaster walls), wrenches (fastening screws), and if it is a wooden wall frame, prepare sandpaper (sand the edges).
3.2 Determine the installation location
Choose the right location and double the efficiency: first avoid wires and water pipes inside the wall (it can be detected by wire detectors); secondly, heavy objects (such as tools, large books) should be installed on load-bearing walls or concrete walls, and non-load-bearing walls can only be loaded with light objects; Finally, combined with usage habits, such as the kitchen wall shelf installed above the operation table, the height should be reached so high that you can reach the items (about 1.2-1.5 meters), and the garage tool wall shelf is installed at a height that is easy to access (about 1.5-1.8 meters).
3.3 Measurement and Marking
The measurement should be accurate, and the error should not exceed 2 mm: first measure the length of the wall shelf with a tape measure, mark the fixing points at both ends on the wall; Then use a level to lean on the marking line and adjust the position to ensure that the marking line is level (especially shelf wall shelves, tilting will cause items to slip); Finally, mark the specific position of the screw hole, and use a pencil to mark it to avoid deviation during drilling.
4. Installation steps
4.1 Installation of the fixing bracket
This is a key step in load-bearing, and different walls do it differently: if it is a concrete wall/load-bearing wall, drill directly with an electric drill to drill the corresponding marked screw hole position, the drilling depth is 2-3 cm longer than the casing of the expansion screw, then put in the expansion screw and tighten it with a wrench; If it is a gypsum wall, it is necessary to first find the keel at the marked position, drill the hole for the keel (if there is no keel, the load-bearing anchor needs to be installed), and then fix the bracket to avoid insufficient load-bearing capacity of the gypsum wall. I used to help the customer install the wall frame of the plaster wall, but did not look for the keel, but directly used the load-bearing anchor, and the load-bearing effect was similar to that of the load-bearing wall.
4.2 Installation of wall frames
After the bracket is fixed, the main body of the wall frame can be installed: shelf type wall frame, put the shelf on the bracket, use screws to pass through the reserved hole of the bracket, and fix the shelf (avoid sliding); Hook type wall shelf, directly fix the hook assembly on the bracket, tighten the screws; Heavy wall frames, two people need to cooperate, one person holds the main body of the wall frame, and the other uses a wrench to tighten all fixing screws to ensure that each screw is tightened and not loose.
4.3 Inspection and adjustment
After installation, don’t rush to use it, check first: gently shake the wall shelf with your hands to see if it is loose; Use a level to test again to ensure that the wall shelf is level; Finally, put a small amount of items (about 50% of the marked load-bearing) and let it stand for 24 hours to observe whether the wall and wall shelf are deformed. If you find a tilt, use a wrench to fine-tune the position of the stand; If there is looseness, retighten the screws.
5. Procurement and use suggestions (Yigu’s point of view as a sourcing agent)
As a senior purchasing agent, I suggest that you choose a wall shelf and give priority to the “material + load-bearing test report”, not just the price. Priority is given to 304 stainless steel or high-quality solid wood (after moisture-proof treatment) for household use, and bulk purchase can be customized by the factory, which is more cost-effective; For commercial heavy-duty wall frames, choose industry-certified brands to ensure safety. In addition, the installation accessories (expansion screws, anchors) are not saved, inferior accessories are a safety hazard, and the supplier can provide accessories that are suitable for different walls when purchasing, reducing subsequent troubles.
6. FAQ FAQ
Q1: Can renters install wall shelves?
Yes, choose a wall frame without punching (fixed with strong glue), suitable for placing light objects (≤ 5 kg), and will not damage the wall after disassembly, avoiding damage to the rental decoration.
Q2: What should I do if the wall frame becomes loose after being used for a long time?
Check whether the screws are loose and tighten; If the wall drilling is loose, you can replace the expansion screw with a thick size, or fill it with wood chips and then tighten the screw.
Q3: Are there any requirements for drilling depth for walls of different thicknesses?
Yes, the drilling depth of the concrete wall ≥ the length of the expansion screw casing +2 cm; The drilling depth of the plaster wall ≥ the length of the anchor bolt +1 cm ensures a secure fixation.