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STEP-BY-STEP INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
FOR CLOSET STYLE SHELVING
- IDENTIFY LOCATIONS OF WALL STUDS
Locate the position of the 2" X 4" wooden wall studs for the back wall and both side walls. The wood studs usually run the full height of the wall. Please refer to
Locating Wood Studs in Wall.
- MARK CENTER OF STUDS ON WALLS
After the locations of the studs are identified, place marks on the wall representing the centers of the studs. The marks should be made with a soft-lead pencil at the approximate heights at which each shelves will be installed. Using a yardstick or other straight edge, lightly trace a line vertically on the wall connecting the points, each of which represents the center of the wall stud at specific heights. The alignment of the marks will give you better idea of the center of the studs. Sometimes one of the locations marked will be in error. It will lie considerably off the line drawn through the marks. This is not an exact process, but is the best way to do it.
- MARK HEIGHT OF EACH SHELF ON THE BACK WALL
On each side of the back wall close to the corner, mark the height of each shelf in pencil. From this point on, it will be easier to have a helper available to hold the other end of the leveling string or board as needed.
- TRACE LINE CONNECTING CORNER MARKS
Using a line level on a chalked string running from corner mark to the other corner mark, pull the string tight and pull the string out away from the wall in the middle of the string) and let it snap to the wall leaving a chalk line showing the height of the shelf. Repeat this for each shelf height. If you don't have a chalk line, you can use a straight edge and trace the height of the shelves.
- MARK STUD CENTERS AT SHELF LINES
With the string pulled taut, still running from corner to corner, mark with an "X" at the intersection of the string with each vertical line marking the center of the wall studs. Extend each line one inch above the string line and the Xs marked for each stud.
- MARKING POSITION OF PILOT HOLES
Place the vertical strip so that the upper edge of the strip is just below the two corner marks. Check again to make sure the strip is level. Using the pencil, make small vertical lines on the back strip, marking the positions of the Xs on the wall. Each mark on the strip should be directly under an X. Label each back strip with a number. The bottom shelf is #1, next is #2, etc. on up to the top.
- MARK LOCATION OF PILOT HOLES
After all back strips have been marked with the pencil for the position of the Xs, extend each line on the strips down to the bottom edge using a T-square or carpenters square. Mark an X at the center of the line.
- DRILL PILOT HOLES
Find a scrap piece of wood and place the strip on the scrap so that any drilling doesn't mar the floor or bench surface you are using.
Using the drill with a 1/8" bit (can use 5/32" bit or 3/16" bit), drill a pilot hole completely through the strip for each pilot hole marked. Repeat this process for each mark on all of the back strips.
- DRILL COUNTERSINK HOLES
This step is optional, but will make the installation look much better. Using a countersink bit, drill each hole made so that the head of the screw can be driven slightly below the surface of each strip. The screw head should lie flush with the strip surface or slightly below.
Make sure that you don't drill the countersink too deep and make the hole too large in diameter. Wood veneer screw-hole covers are available if the screw head are noticeable after installation is complete. Usually only the shelves that are installed above waist height will need the covers. Screw holes below that height are either not visible or are not noticeable.
If you don't want to use a countersink hole, be very careful not to drive the screws in too tight. If driven too tight, large splinters can chip out or the wood strips can split.
- ATTACH BACK STRIP TO BACK WALL
Using the drill with the Phillips screwdriver bit, drive the 3" wood screws provided through the pilot holes and into the wall studs. Drive the screws until slightly below the surface of the back strip. Using the counter sink and driving the screws slightly below the strip surface, will allow you to cover those screw holes deemed to be unsightly with wood veneer screw-hole covers.
- REPEAT PROCESS FOR THE SIDE STRIPS
Extend the corner marks out along each side wall for the depth of the shelves, and repeat all of the steps performed for the back strip on each of the side walls. Try to locate any studs along the side walls for the distance of the shelf depth. If no studs are found, don't worry. Strips can be attached using other means.
- ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF ATTACHING SUPPORT STRIPS TO WALLS
If no wall studs are located for the back strips or the side strips, other methods of attaching the strips to the walls must be used. The type of hardware used and tools needed are dependent upon the construction material used to build the wall.
- If the strips are to be attached to a hollow wall with metal studs, metal screws of sufficient length should be used. Make sure all of the electric tools you use are properly grounded.
- If strips are to be attached to a hollow wall covered with sheet rock, wall board, gypsum board, or paneling, use hollow-wall fasteners, also known as a molly bolts for attachment.
- If the wall is made of concrete, brick, or other masonry product, use concrete screws. Boxes of concrete screws containing a masonry bit of the correct size diameter can be purchased at your local home improvement center. TopCon is one of the leading brands.
- RE-CHECK TO ASSURE STRIPS ARE LEVEL
It is very important to make sure that the back strip and both side strips are all level and are at the same height. You can use measurements made from the floor up to the shelf level, but only if you are sure that the floor is level. These measurements are best used as a second check to make sure the strips are level.
- SHELF PLACEMENT & ANCHORING SHELVES TO STRIPS
Once all three strips are level, the shelf is simply placed in position, resting on edge of the strips. If the shelf becomes warped slightly or the strips are not perfectly level, you can use small wood screws to secure the shelves to the support strips.
Start securing the shelves from the bottom up.
There are two ways to secure the shelves to the strips.
- The easiest way is to drive screws from the top surface of the shelf down into the supports. The length of the screws need to at least 1.25". Be sure to drill a pilot hole and countersink for each screw. If the shelves and supports are very level, you only need to use one screw per shelf to secure it to the strips. Place the screw in the middle of the back support strip. To assure that the shelves will not warp with the passage of time, drive one screw into each of the four corners of the shelf, making sure that the screws are driven into the support strips.
- Because the screws in the previous method described can be easily seen, you may wish to secure the shelves to the strips under the shelves. Purchase very small L-braces at a hardware store. You will also need small wood screws about 0.5" (1/2") to 0.625" (5/8") long. For each brace, a screw is driven through the brace into the shelf from the underside and a screw is driven through the brace into the support strip to firmly hold the shelf in place.
CALL HOUSEWERKS IF HELP IS NEEDED
In addition to the instructions provided, HouseWerks staff will talk you through each step of the process, if needed. If you are going to install your shelves in the evening or on a weekend, please give HouseWerks pre-notification and we will assure that one of our employees will be available to help you.
If any of the above information or instructions provided are unclear, or if you are have problems performing the actions described, or have a question on any aspect of installation, call HouseWerks for help.
Phone: 310/466-3909
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