Sagging Shelves for Dummies - The Freelance Files MMCCXLIV

sagging shelf

We've noticed – many, many times – that the less familiar our nominees are with their topic, the more likely they are to develop some sort of tunnel vision. To put it another way, if they don't know what they're talking about, they're likely to focus on a single solution to a problem to the exclusion of all other solutions or, for that matter, versions of the problem. Don't get it? Well, maybe you will after following Taylor Patrick through her HomeSteady.com post, "How to Stop Shelves From Sagging in the Middle."

Jasmine DeMarcos, who wrote this content before adopting the pseudonym presumably created from the names of her children, harvested the information that,

"Sagging shelves are unattractive and can be dangerous..."

...from both her references. She only got instructions from one of them, however. Following that admonition, Patrick immediately focused her efforts on a wall-mounted shelf supported by brackets at the ends; because that's what the sole reference she actually used addressed. She also zeroed in on shelves made of MDF, which she classified as "cheap." Apparently, she's never bought the stuff, which isn't necessarily cheap – MDF's problem for shelving is that, since it's made of particles that have been glued together instead of fibers that grew together, it has less structural strength than solid wood or even plywood.

Whatever the case, Taylor's "remedy" – lifted in part from a DIY blogger – was to,

"Place a metal shelving bracket at [the] center point, and line it up with the other brackets on both ends of the shelf."

Not only would that suggestion be of limited use for shelves in a bookcase or cabinet, said "bracket" would likely be unattractive, especially if it doesn't match the end supports. But, assuming you could use this solution, Patrick's remaining instructions are a definite non-starter:

"Screw drywall anchors into the [wall]... Put the bracket in place, and then put the screws into the drywall anchors."

Talk about dangerous, not to mention unattractive: it's unlikely that drywall anchors are going to be much help in supporting the amount of weight that would cause a shelf to sag!

We have better suggestions than "Taylor" came up with:

• Replace a shelf made of MDF with plywood or solid wood. 
• Add a stiffener such as strip of 1-inch hardwood, on edge, that runs the length of the shelf. This works for cabinets and bookcases as well as open shelving, although it can shrink available space underneath the shelf.
• Add one or more supports across the length that match the support on the ends instead of just some random "metal shelving bracket."
• In a bookcase or cabinet, slip in vertical dividers; the solution offered by Patrick's reference that she didn't use.

Although our Dumbass of the Day never mentioned this, a badly warped shelf probably needs to be replaced. If it's just a little saggy, try turning it upside down before adding support underneath.

DDIY - SHELVES