Is it cheaper to build your own shelf?

The pros of DIY shelving include: Lower Cost – Generally, buying the materials for your garage shelves should be cheaper than purchasing prefab – just make sure you do everything right the first time. … Durability – As long as you choose quality materials and a solid design, your DIY shelves will be more durable.

How do you make a simple bookshelf?

How do you make a bookshelf from scratch?

How much does it cost to build bookshelves?

The cost to have built-in bookshelves installed averages $2,731 or between $1,294 and $4,211 for a carpenter to do the job. If you buy the materials yourself, you can usually get a handyman to install them for $30 to $130 per hour. For high end custom work, expect to spend $150 to $1,200 per linear foot.

How do you build a 2×4 bookcase?

How do I make a freestanding bookcase?

What kind of wood should I use to make a bookshelf?

Choose the Wood Type

Pine, birch and oak are three common woods used for building homemade bookshelves. Pine plywood is a lightweight softwood that is inexpensive. However, it is prone to knots and splitting.

Is it cheaper to build a bookshelf?

The DIY cost to build a basic bookcase is $275 compared with $978, the cost of hiring a carpenter. … A carpenter will charge $978 to build in a 6-foot-by-6-foot bookcase made of clear Pine, or Birch which includes the labor and material.

What tools do I need to build a bookshelf?

As for basic tools, you’ll need a portable circular saw, hammer, block plane, combination square, tape measure, metal rule, two clamps, nail set and putty knife. Other supplies include glue, nails, sandpaper, wood filler and varnish or paint and shellac.

How thick should wood be for shelves?

3/4-inch
Use 3/4-inch thick materials for shelves and bookcase structure. If you’re using hardwood solids, it’s OK to boost the thickness to 1 1/4 inch for almost unlimited support. This type of shelf looks more like a mantel and is expensive, but adds the opulent look of craftsmanship.

What thickness ply for shelves?

As a general rule, the heavier the items you will be placing on the shelves, the thicker the recommended product will need to be. The most common size used in shelving is a 3/4 inch thickness.

Is plywood good for shelves?

Plywood is the industry standard for shelving, so it’s a good choice for bookshelves. However, there are a number of sturdy woods with which you can construct bookshelves.

How far can a shelf span without support?

Span Limits

The span limit is defined as the maximum distance apart that you can place the shelving supports. Glass, particleboard, solid lumber, plywood, and other common shelving materials can have span limits that can range from 18 inches to almost 5 feet.

How tall should shelves be?

How High Should I Hang My Shelf or Shelves? Like artwork, shelves should be hung at about eye level or about 4 to 5 feet from the floor. If you’re hanging the shelf above furniture, measure about 10 inches from the top of the desk or couch.

How long can a shelf be before it sags?

The eye will notice a deflection of 1/32 inch per running foot so that a fully loaded (70-80 pounds) bookshelf that is 3 feet wide, should sag no more than 3/32 inches. For most shelves made from 3/4 inch stock, a practical span is 30 to 36 inches.

How much space do you need between bookshelves?

Shelf depth for a general purpose bookshelf is usually 10 to 12 inches. Shelf spacing will generally range from 7 to 15 inches with 8 to 12 inches being common for bookshelves.

Where do you put brackets on a shelf?

The best position for a shelf bracket is directly on top of a wall stud. There should be one stud per bracket, meaning that you will need to locate several studs for larger shelves.

How far can a 2×4 span for shelf?

A 2×4 can span a maximum of 6′ 7” when spaced 16” apart and used as a floor or deck joist. When used as a ceiling joist or a roof rafter, a 2×4 can span up to 7′ 3” spaced at 16”, and 6′ 4” when spaced 24” apart. Due to the small spans of 2x4s, they often are not used in horizontal load-bearing capacities.

How tall should Built in bookshelves be?

However, if you’re going to fill the shelves with books, movies, and board games in a basement playroom, you’ll want shelves that are easily accessible. In that case, bookshelves that are 72 to 80 inches tall will make them most functional.

How deep should Built in bookshelves be?

Built-in bookcases are generally at least 11 – 12 inches deep. When creating a built-in bookshelf, take this as your chance to fully customize and make the shelves work for you.

How tall should my bookcase be?

The ideal shelf height for books is about 10 inches, and the ideal height for magazines is about 11-12 inches. The top shelf of a bookcase should be no more than 72-78 inches high.