Are Butcher Block Floating Shelves Sturdy Enough to Hold Books?
Whether you're a dedicated bookworm, a casual reader, or someone who hasn't touched a book since high school, you might wonder if butcher block floating shelves are robust enough to hold books.
The answer is a resounding yes! In fact, at Forever Joint Tops, our skilled craftsman have years of experience handling butcher block floating shelves, countertops, desk tops, kitchen islands, and other durable surfaces.
Why Choose Butcher Block Floating Shelves for Books?
When properly installed, floating shelves can securely hold a significant number of books, even heavy ones.
Whether you need a space to house your entire collection or a few decorative volumes, Forever Joint Tops has the perfect butcher block floating shelf solutions for you.
More on how to decorate your floating shelves here.
Order a Floating Shelf Here
Tips to Follow to Ensure Sturdy Floating Shelves for Your Books
Below are some tips to ensure that your butcher block floating shelves are installed correctly to hold books, décor, and other belongings for years to come. Here is what you need to know about using butcher block floating shelves for books:
1. Use Your Wall’s Studs
The key to ensuring your floating shelves are sturdy enough to hold and display books is to anchor them to the wall studs.
Most homes have studs spaced 16 inches apart, while some have 24-inch spacing. If you're hanging a shorter shelf, you might only catch one stud, but that’s okay; you can use a heavy-duty drywall anchor for additional support. For longer shelves, using multiple studs is easier, providing more stability.
Our butcher block floating shelves come with hidden brackets designed to fit the length of your shelves, featuring screw spaces every inch to accommodate various stud spacings.
2. Consider the Floating Shelves’ Depth
When choosing floating shelves for your books, consider the depth. Most books range from seven to ten inches deep, so a ten-inch-deep shelf is ideal.
Place your books as close to the wall as possible, ensuring the strongest support from where the shelf meets the wall.
If you plan to add more than just books, such as heavier décor items, picture frames, etc., you should consider a deeper shelf for additional stability and space.
3. Material Makeup of the Floating Shelves
It's tempting to go for the cheaper option, but investing in quality materials is very important for longevity and durability. Butcher block floating shelves made from solid wood, such as those offered by Forever Joint Tops, provide superior strength compared to pressboard or other inexpensive materials. Solid wood shelves are less likely to warp over time and can handle the weight of multiple heavy books.
At Forever Joint Tops, we offer a range of high-quality wood types for our floating shelves, such as solid pine shelves, which are kiln-dried to preserve their natural beauty and resist warping or shrinking. Pine's timeless appeal makes it a favorite among homeowners, blending seamlessly with any decor while offering durability and a touch of nature's elegance.
For a personalized touch, we offer various finishes and stains for our shelves, or you can leave the shelf natural without any finish.
These options allow you to appreciate the natural beauty of the wood, whether in your living room, dining area, home office, or bathroom.
4. Dimensions and Thickness
Our butcher block floating shelves come in various lengths (24", 30", 38", and 48") and a standard depth of 8". Each shelf is custom-made with a thickness of 2", ensuring they meet your specific needs.
If you have any questions about customization, our team at Forever Joint Tops is here to help! Here are some creative ways to use your butcher block floating shelves.
Contact Forever Joint Tops for Quality Floating Shelves
Looking to add sturdy floating shelves for books to your home? Order online or contact us today! We love troubleshooting, answering questions, and offering tips and tricks, so don't hesitate to email us.
If you’re interested in purchasing one or a whole assortment of handcrafted butcher block floating shelves, please contact us to get started!
Read More: Floating Wall Shelves: The Ultimate Buying Guide
Get Pricing on Your Floating Shelf!
Read More: Floating Shelves Instruction Guide
