I was planning to install 3-5 Elf shelves, 30cm deep and 160cm long, along a wall in the new apartment. I thought there were wooden studs, but it turns out there must be metal studs behind the drywall with 60 cm spacing. It might be double drywall; I need to confirm that. I want to be able to put a good amount of items on the shelves, so what's the best way to secure everything?
Option 1. Carrying strip, I can place the rails on the baseboard for extra support. Screw into the metal studs or with molly bolts or similar directly into the drywall? Or a combination?
Option 2. Rails that I either screw into the metal studs or directly into the drywall, which is better? I can also place these on the baseboard for extra support.
Option 1. Carrying strip, I can place the rails on the baseboard for extra support. Screw into the metal studs or with molly bolts or similar directly into the drywall? Or a combination?
Option 2. Rails that I either screw into the metal studs or directly into the drywall, which is better? I can also place these on the baseboard for extra support.
Check what elfa recommends for maximum weights for the two options, see what suits your needs.
Using a hanging track is convenient, but I believe the load capacity becomes lower.
Regardless of 1 or 2, I would choose Molly/expansion plug instead of screwing into the metal stud.
Using a hanging track is convenient, but I believe the load capacity becomes lower.
Regardless of 1 or 2, I would choose Molly/expansion plug instead of screwing into the metal stud.
Ok, thanks for the response! I thought it would look nicer to drill directly into the studs (and with the support rail) if I want to move the shelf for some reason. But it holds better with an expansion plug? That would be good because then I don't have to cut the support rail to fit it against the studs (if I choose that).Dowser4711 said:
One idea might be to set the mounting rail as high as possible. The closer to the ceiling, the more stable the wall will be.
Then it's not a bad idea to have the hanging rails directly over the steel studs. I would hardly think it's absolutely necessary, but it is a bit more stable there at least. They tend to bow out a bit, creating a gap in the middle, and press against the wall down there, which results in quite a good pressure against the wall. I think if you're unlucky and the rail is situated between two studs, it might work its way inward through the plaster.
Then it's not a bad idea to have the hanging rails directly over the steel studs. I would hardly think it's absolutely necessary, but it is a bit more stable there at least. They tend to bow out a bit, creating a gap in the middle, and press against the wall down there, which results in quite a good pressure against the wall. I think if you're unlucky and the rail is situated between two studs, it might work its way inward through the plaster.
Thank you! I'll keep that in mind.
My rails are 2 meters. Would it be better to buy new ones so that I can place the carrying strip just below the ceiling trim but still have the rails resting on the floor trim? Or does it not matter much if they stand on the floor trim? Alternatively, place the carrying strip about 40 cm down from the ceiling?
My rails are 2 meters. Would it be better to buy new ones so that I can place the carrying strip just below the ceiling trim but still have the rails resting on the floor trim? Or does it not matter much if they stand on the floor trim? Alternatively, place the carrying strip about 40 cm down from the ceiling?