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Long-Span Shelves
Question
Forum Responses
From contributor B: I've used white oak with a 5' span, 1" thick with no sag. From contributor C: If you are going paint grade, look at 5/4 Soft Maple for solid wood shelves. From contributor D: Hickory is the strongest wood I've run across. Use grain filler and you’re ready to paint. From contributor E: Try this link: Sagulator From Gene Wengert, technical advisor Sawing and Drying Forum: Check CABINET MAKER magazine, August 2005, for a good bit of information about shelf design, including effect of species (denser is better), thickness and so on. Solid wood is much better than composites. From contributor F: For that span I have used 1-3/8" solid core birch doors - rip and edge – it’s quick and easy. I just finished a shelf unit with 12" x 60" fixed shelves. I used two 3/4" plywood rips, let in 1" steel c channel between layers at front edge. There was no sag and no problem. I have had problems with solid wood shelving cupping and or twisting over time. Laminating two pieces helps with this problem. From contributor G: To contributor A: What is torsion box construction?? From contributor H: Try to get past issue of Better Homes and Gardens, WOOD, March 2004 issue 154. This is the best information I have seen regarding this question. From the original questioner: These are all great ideas, and the online resources are all good. I especially liked the Sagulator- even if the specific material you're looking at isn't listed, you can get a good sense for the relative impact on shelf sag by changing one parameter at a time (width, depth, etc.) and seeing the effect it has on sag.
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