How to Support Shelves on the Wall
There are all kinds of ways to hang shelving on your wall. One of the most convenient is to hang shelving tracks, which are vertical strips on which you affix the shelf brackets; the shelves then sit on the brackets. This allows you to hang multiple shelves on just two installed tracks, and you can easily adjust the heights. If your shelf is going to hold books, dishes or anything else of substantial weight, it's important to secure the tracks directly to the wall studs behind the plaster or drywall. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Electronic studfinder
- Pencil
- Level
- Shelving brackets
- Mounting screws
- Drill with screwdriver bit
Instructions
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1
With your studfinder, locate a stud in the general area where you want your shelving and about as high as you want the top shelf. Mark it on the wall with your pencil.
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2
Measure to one side of your mark by 32 inches. There should be another stud there. Use your studfinder to make sure there is. Mark the stud.
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3
With your level, mark a light horizontal line on the wall between the two studs at the place you want the top of your shelving. Then make two vertical lines at the marks going as low as you want your shelves to go. The marks should both be roughly the length of your shelving tracks.
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4
Hold your first shelving track up on one vertical line. With your drill and screwdriver bit, sink mounting screws through the mounting holes in the track, and drive them into the stud behind the wall. Do the same for the other track on the other marked stud.
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5
Clip your shelf brackets onto the tracks as instructed. Set your shelves on the brackets.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear eye protection when using your drill.
