Do you want to know whether do bookshelves need to be anchored to the wall? How to anchor bookshelf to wall? This article of FittingChairs will demonstrate ways on securing a bookshelf to the wall properly.
Do Bookshelves Need To Be Anchored?
Anchoring bookshelves to the wall is fairly common, but if you’re unsure whether it’s necessary for a bookcase wall anchor.
The answer is Yes. Bookshelves are typically placed against walls, but they must occasionally be anchored. This could be because bookshelves must be secured. It’s may be foremost thing for staying safe during working from home.
If they aren’t, they could topple over and injure you or your family members, or damage your collectibles.
This problem can be solved by anchoring the bookshelves to the wall with a strap or chain that is easily hidden from view and a heavy-duty screw drilled into a wall stud.
Below are some prominent cases you should consider if you want to secure a bookshelf to the wall:
Do You Have Small Children In Your House?
If you have small children in your home, you should definitely make sure your bookshelves are securely fastened to the wall.
In case a bookshelf is fully loaded, the weight distribution causes it to become top-heavy and easily pulled over by a climbing child.
Do You Have Pets?
If you have pets, you should anchor bookshelves because they can easily fall over.
For example, if you have cats who like to climb on your stuff, they may be able to knock things over.
Do You Live In An Earthquake-Prone Area?
If you live in an earthquake zone, you should also consider anchoring your bookshelves. Anchoring your bookshelves will keep them from falling over and damaging your possessions.
Are You Displaying Expensive Art Work On Your Bookshelves?
Another situation in which you may want to anchor a bookshelf is if you are displaying expensive art on it.
For example, if you have something of great sentimental value to you that is literally irreplaceable displayed on your bookshelf, but someone bumps into it, knock the shelf off balance, and your beloved souvenirs crashes to the floor, shattering into a thousand pieces!
Perhaps it’s a picture frame. Or perhaps your sports memorabilia, or that pricey bottle of liquor you received as a gift.
In the above scenario, you should prepare for securing a bookcase to a wall. Well, the tragedy could have been avoided if you had only secured that shelf.
How Tall Are Your Bookshelves?
If your bookshelves are tall then, no matter what, it’s a good idea to anchor them because they could potentially tip over a lot more easily than a shorter bookcase.
What Kind Of Flooring Are You Using?
If your bookcases are on a carpeted floor, they are much more likely to fall over! In this case, you must absolutely apply on how to anchor bookshelf to wall.
But what if you have a hard-surface floor, such as wood, LVP, or tile?
While your bookshelves will be much more stable on a hard surface than they will be on carpet, you should still have them anchored to the wall. This will keep your books and other trinkets from being displaced or knocked over.
Just Because It’s Heavy Doesn’t Mean Your Bookshelf Can’t Fall
The fact that your bookcases are extremely heavy when loaded with your favorite books does not guarantee that they will not fall.
Heavy bookshelves simply mean that the damage they can cause when they fall is much greater, and the chances of someone being seriously injured are higher.
As a result, even though it is heavy, it must be anchored. You just consider the higher center of gravity to make your bookcase certain.
How to Anchor Bookshelf To Wall?
Anchoring a bookshelf to drywall is a common mistake when it comes to anchoring furniture to wall. This is a huge mistake because the anchor will be ripped out of the wall, taking your drywall with it as it topples to the ground.
Even a heavy-duty drywall anchor isn’t the best solution because it’s still attached to the drywall, which is most likely made of gypsum and paper board.
So, how to secure bookshelf to wall?
Anchor Bookshelves To Studs
The best solution is to secure your bookshelves to the wall studs.
In the United States, wall studs are frequently either 16 or 24 inches apart on center from the center of one stud to the next. The wood used for studs is typically a 24 piece that extends from the floor to the ceiling.
So, regardless of where you want to put your bookshelf, there should be a wall stud within reasonable reach of it.
Anchor With Straps
You must first locate the studs in your wall in order to secure your bookshelves or even secure furniture to wall.
The best way to accomplish this is to use a stud finder.
Once you’ve found a stud to use as your anchor and you make sure you’re in the center of the stud, use a drill to drill a pilot hole for the screw that will be used to mount your anchor.
Anchor With Angle Brackets
Most good bookshelves on the market today come with mounting straps, especially the taller ones. Anyway, don’t forget to remove all of the slack from the strap before attaching it to the stud in your drywall.
How Many Anchors Should I Use For My Bookshelves?
Angle brackets are another effective way to secure bookshelves to the wall. These are metal 90-degree brackets that you can screw into a wall stud and then directly into your bookshelf.
Before you get too worked up about the appearance of metal brackets purchased from Amazon, remember that they are easily painted.
These brackets are worth your time and effort it takes to install them correctly, especially if you have any of the breaking scenarios in your home like the previous mentioned example.
Applying on these ideas how to anchor bookshelf to wall of FittingChairs to avoid this item posing a hazard in your beloved home. Don’t hesitate to share this helpful article to express these suggestion for your relatives.
