Furring Strips for Shelves

I figured I would make a new thread to my Shelving Disaster one because this is a whole new idea.

I found my studs and am putting in various length shelves along an eleven foot span in my bedroom.

Since my studs are 1.25" for some reason my brackets would split and jut out of the sides... so I figured putting up some furring strips along the bottom of each shelf that goes directly into the studs would be the best method. My dry wall is a 1/2" thick so I think 2" wide furring strips should hold up the 7.5" wide shelves.

Another option is to use the brackets I have now but use a toggle bolts in the areas that won't line up with the studs.

What do you think?

 

The furring strip idea will work but you will need some bracing in the central parts of these shelves.Around the edges is not enough for 11 feet.There are brackets that have a narrower profile that would work for what you have,which sounds like furring strips as studs but that would make no sense.You would also possibly need to segment the strips to allow for brackets to reach the shelving.

I'd be careful using toggle bolts near studs as the studs could interfere with the toggle wings opening.Unless the holes were at least 1.5 inches away from the studs and you knew they were not just thought so because of a stud finder.

Also an option would be real molly type anchors as they do not need as much clearance as a toggle bolt.You'd need about an inch for those.

 

Okay, I will attached the furring strips to the studs and reinforce (bracket) any areas that are too long of a gap, like the middle of the 11 foot spans.

 

I think you should forget the furring strips and screw directly into the studs. Virtually ALL modern 2x4s are nominally 1.5" across so you are not facing a new or insurmountable obstacle. 1.5" should be plenty of meat to hit with a wood screw with little difficulty. Buying and installing furring strips only adds to the cost and increases problems with the shelves fitting against the wall.

 

When I use a ruler and etch out 1.5" and nail some test nails in there it just goes right through the drywall and hits nothing... at 1.25" they do.. it seems strange to me.

 

Just a thought...you could also put the strips vertically on every other stud, if that would support the weight. That would give you plenty of flexability in placing your brackets, and they could be very well secured to the studs. Paint to match walls or contrasting if desired.

Didn't read the other thread details, just throwing something out.

 

Use the furring strip to support the back edge of the shelf. Install a second furring strip 12 inches below the shelf and install braces from the bottom edge of the shelf near the front down to the second furring strip. Locate each brace at a stud.

 

I found all the studs and got some more brackets and am installing them now. I didn't realize how much stronger that brackets are when they are in studs instead of drywall.. I could easily pull down on them with all my weight with no problem.

So now I have 5 brackets into studs for a 7 foot span and like 10 for the 11 foot span... 2 for the two foot span... I think it will work out... I wonder how much weight I can put on there when everything is done... 300 lbs per 7 foot?