There are a lot of reasons as to whyfloating shelveshave become preferred choices for storage nowadays.
Aside from its contemporary look, it is also aspace-saving solutioncompared to the bulky look of traditional shelves.
If you are shelf bracket shopping right now, read on.
1.Angle brackets
This one is also called the angle cleat or the angle brace.
It is basically an L-shaped fastener angled at 90-degrees, hence, the name.
Its usual use is to join two furniture parts together.
While it is typically made of metal, plastic and wood angle brackets are also available.
3.Floating brackets
As the name suggests, floating brackets become virtually invisible when they are installed.
4.Lip brackets
This one is a very versatile shelving bracket bang out.
It is perfect for distressed shelves as it imbibes the ultimate rustic look.
They can come in wood, vinyl, rubber, plastic, fiberglass, and metal materials.
They can be customized for added effect too.
They can come in uncoated or coated, low gloss and high gloss types.
They are usually used in heavy shelving and in toilet shelves, among others.
7.Pipe shelf brackets
This one is a heavy-duty bracket.
It is said that it could withstand and support a weight of 70kgs.
They can be L-shaped, angled, and more.
They can also be stained, painted, or rough, depending on your homes interior.
They can also be carved and customized.
9.Folding shelf brackets
This one is a contemporary way to save space even for wall-mounted furniture.
Just note that each metal clip could hold at least 25lbs.
If you are buying a plastic adjustable shelf bracket, each clip can hold 10lbs only.
11.Invisible shelf brackets
As the name suggests, this one is completely hidden behind the furniture.
Its main upside would be its very complete set.
Aside from the brackets, it also comes with a pair of installation gloves, screwdriver and 240pcs screws.
As for the warranty, a 90-day replacement and refund are guaranteed if any of the piece malfunctions.
Home Master Hardware L Brackets
This one is an L-shaped, heavy duty shelf bracket.
Each pack of this one contains 10pcs 12-inch brackets constructed with high grade, brushed and coated steel.
As such, it is known for its sturdiness and durability.
It also comes with free mounting hardware so this is a good value for money.
The main upside of this shelving bracket is that it is the most heavy duty pick in this list.
It can hold a weight capacity of up to 1200lbs.
It is an L-shaped bracket with a weight capacity of up to 140lbs.
It comes with pre-holed screws making it very easy to install.
Its main upside is its versatility.
It can be easily installed in either wood or drywalls.
When attached to concrete, it might need an anchor.
With its angled lip curve, it is perfect for rustic design shelves.
It is also specifically designed to be attached easily to lumber boards.
It comes as a complete set, containing screws and anchors.
They are very space-saving and they look aesthetically upscale with wooden shelves.
TLBTEK Industrial Shelf Brackets
This one is a pipe style bracket.
It is made of wrought iron so from here alone, it already speaks of durability.
Overall, it has a weight capacity of 600lbs.
With its coating, it is known to be rust, corrosion and fade free.
It is also used for both indoor and outdoor furniture because of its durability and sturdiness.
They can be installed at a standard size board of 82-inches.
They already come with the needed hardware so they are very easy to install too.
Perhaps, the main upside of this shelving bracket would be its versatility.
It can be installed in almost all types of surfaces includingdrywalls, wood, and concrete.
From this alone, one can already infer its well-prized durability.
Some of its major upsides is that it is rust, corrosion, and fade free.
It does not also get dented or scratched easily, hence, preferred for high-traffic rooms.
Since it is foldable, you’re able to depend on it for space-saving.
They are also very easy to install and it already comes with all the needed hardware and mounting accessories.
Its screws and anchors are already pre-screwed too.
It can hold up to 150kgs.
Its construction screams durability as it is made of weighted cast iron.
It is also rust-proof and can withstand outdoor elements without color fading and corrosion.
Its design is also very decorative, matching rustic and modern themes.
Nonetheless, it has a weight capacity of 600lbs so it still does not disappoint.
This is the main reason why you are even looking for one so do not miss this out.
2.Installation
Of course, we should still go for shelf brackets that are easy to install.
It should come with a comprehensive, step-by-step process and should be completed in not more than an hour.
If you find it too complicated to install, ditch it at an instant.
3.Durability
Anent to weight capacity would be the durability.
You need a shelf bracket that is dependable and would not give up in just a few months.
We are not talking about simply being able to stick to a drywall for long.
We are also looking for shelf brackets which can outlive the furniture itself.
For this matter, the material used for the shelf bracket also becomes an important determinant.
Always search for the most reputable brands first and look for their most affordable models.
When it comes to these fixtures, you do not need to spend more than you oughta.
For this, consider a shelf bracket with durable looking screws or those with heavy duty bolts.
This way, you’re free to ensure that everything is tucked in safely in those walls.
6.Clearance space
Be wary about the size and arrangement of the shelf brackets too.
Always double-check that there is enough clearance for wires of electronics or gadgets to free-fall from the sides.
Just bear in mind that a too wide bracket would not be efficient in supporting greater weight.
How far apart should shelf brackets be?
This one depends on the projected load that the shelf is expected to support.
As per rule of thumb, light to medium loads require not more than 24-inches apart.
If you have longer shelves, shelf brackets should be attached every 48-inches of length.
How much weight can shelf brackets hold?
Shelf brackets can hold weight from as measly as 100lbs to 500lbs but it depends on their size.
12-inch brackets at 0.5-inch thickness can hold a maximum weight of 310lbs.
How to hang a shelf with brackets?
At the end of the day, this is the one that you should master.
How do you support shelf brackets?
Some shelf brackets are standalone but some need further support.
Mostly, anchors are needed by the lightweight and decorative bracket types.
Do shelf brackets need to be in studs?
Ideally and as a general rule, yes, shelf brackets need to always be in studs.
However, installing them directly in studs has always proved to be challenging.
Where do you put brackets on a shelf?
As per rule of thumb, there should be one stud per bracket.
This means that you are required to install more studs when you are working on a larger shelf.
Is there a proper height to hang a shelf?
Interestingly, there is.
The standard height for hanging shelves from the floor would be at 4-5ft.
Which side of the L-bracket goes on the wall?
Logically, the long legs of the L-bracket go against the wall.
Are there shelf bracket alternatives?
Open shelving calls for the use of shelf brackets to keep them in place.
How long should screw brackets be?
Some shelf brackets do not come in a complete set.
This means that there are some brands which will require you to buy screws and other mounting hardware separately.
For this, knowing how long screw brackets should be is essential.
For heavy duty brackets, 38-50mm screws are recommended.
These screws must have the heaviest gauge.
Basically, a 4-5.5.mm gauge is needed to bolt in heavy duty shelf brackets.
As for the lightweight ones, there is no fixed length.
As such, it would be very impartial to just choose one to declare as winner.
But if this is not the priority, there are always more lightweight choices out there.