Shelves like no other interior element help optimize the space and fit all objects as compactly as possible. However, not all shelves are equally good. Glass, for example, in addition to their obvious functionality, have another quality - they instantly “unload” the interior give it lightness and style. Catalogs of furniture stores are breaking out of abundance of models, but why not save and try to make glass shelves with your own hands, especially since it is not so difficult. We offer you to verify this on your own experience.
Content
Advantages and disadvantages of glass shelves
Despite the prevalence, many do not dare to install glass shelves on the wall, because they think that those are not strong enough and safe. However, it is worth recalling that almost all store windows are made of this material and sometimes hold very heavy and large -sized items. The fact is that to create shelves, the glass is used at all that is installed in ordinary windows, but of increased strength. Moreover, there is hardened glass, which is stable even to strong blows and insured from the formation of scratches. Counts, cabinets and even flooring are made of this.
Glass furniture always looks very stylish, compact and modern. It easily fits into any interior, whether it is high-tech, minimalism or a long-popular loft.
Glass shelves differ favorably with similar designs from other materials:
- they are completely not afraid of moisture, so they can and even need to be installed in bathrooms;
- glass is resistant to aggressive chemical effects, so it can be cleaned with any domestic means;
- the material is absolutely hygienic, does not absorb dirt and does not delay dust;
- such shelves are easy and quickly cleaned;
- glass regiments have an unlimited shelf life and can serve literally forever if no one breaks them;
- wood or plastic under the influence of direct sunlight is burned out, and the glass does not change its original appearance, even constantly being under the sun;
- an indisputable advantage is also the aesthetic attractiveness of glass furniture.
You can also add that if you are going to make a glass shelf with your own hands, it will cost you much cheaper than the finished purchased option.
As we have already said, glass shelves are able to withstand a serious load, but this is mostly on the thickness of the selected glass. Therefore, if you need a shelf for books or a TV, it is better to give preference to the most durable products. And even if you build a whole glass cabinet throughout the wall, it will still seem compact and weightless - not a single wood or metal is incapable of this. This solution is especially beneficial for small rooms and apartments-studio.
Glass shelves look very beautiful with LED backlight. This is not only attractive, but also convenient - an additional light source will never hurt. In addition, LED ribbons consume much less electricity than ordinary lamps, and serve much longer. We will tell you more about how to make a glass shelf with your own hands with backlight a little below.
Another interesting point - the glass adds to the interior of shine and radiance. It has a reflective ability, visually increasing space. Often, for this purpose, large mirrors are hung on the walls, and if you add weightless transparent shelves to them, the smallest room will seem spacious and cozy.
But in order for everything to be in such a favorable way, you should correctly choose glass for the manufacture of shelves. Theoretically, the most ordinary window glass is suitable for this, but this design will withstand only small figurines and funny trinkets that decorate the interior. Only objects made of high -strength and hardened glass have a functional load. On them you can safely hoist flower pots, tape recorders, TVs, books and other things useful in the farm.
There are no disadvantages of glass shelves, there are only features of operation. The most obvious such feature is the transparency of the material. Through it, everything that is contained on the shelf will be visible, and therefore you will have to accustom yourself to maintain the perfect order, including wiping dust and fingerprints daily. But here there is a slight trick - you can make a shelf from colored glass, but this will not free you from cleaning.
Types of shelves
Glass shelves are very different. The days have long passed when their shape was limited to a rectangle. Glass is actually a very profitable material that can take absolutely any form, recall at least the profession of glassbuilding. At the end of the article you will find a photo selection in which shelves of various shapes and sizes are presented.
Depending on the position in the space and the mounting method, wall, suspended and corner shelves are distinguished. The former are of high aesthetics and often represent more stylish interior decoration than a strict functional element. For fastening, you can use cables brought to the ceiling, or special secret holders that create the feeling that the shelf seems to soar in the air.
Corner shelves allow the maximum to use a beneficial space. They help to unload the situation in small bathrooms and kitchens, where there is constantly a bunch of small objects, and it is quite difficult to keep them in order. In fact, you can fill all the corners in the apartment with such shelves, freeing the mass of free space. In the hallway there you can put the combs, keys and other little things, in the bathroom - shampoos, shower gels, deodorants, in the kitchen - spices, in the living room - books.
The only place where it is not recommended to install glass shelves is a children's room. A child can inadvertently break a strong material or hit him hard.
Many modern apartments have very narrow window sills, so the glass shelf for flowers will be a great way to organize a green corner with minimal spatial costs. Inside, you can mount daylight lamps and place pots at different levels.
How to make a glass shelf: instruction
If you figure it out, there are only two ways to make glass shelves: buy in a store or order all the necessary components, after which it remains only to assemble them together and screw them into place. But the cost of such a venture is almost equivalent to a finished store structure, so we will tell you how to make a shelf “from scratch”.
For work, you will need good glass cutter, as well as a tape grinding machine with abrasive sandpaper grain -paper with 120 units. These tools are best rented if you, of course, are not going to regularly make shelves from glass for all friends or for sale.
To begin with, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with a brief briefing on the use of glass cutter. This is a rather primitive, but very effective tool with which even a beginner controls after 15 minutes of practice. The most important thing when working with him is to make confident and clear movements. In addition to glass cutter (it is better to get oil) you will need a long ruler. First, it is better to practice on ordinary glass, and then begin to work.
Important: the main rule when cutting glass is to make one confident and strong enough movement. A repeated cut along the same trajectory is unacceptable, since this will not help the case, and the blade only scratches the glass once again.
To cut the glass, you need to indicate the cut line with a marker, install a ruler along it (it serves as an expiration and guide for glass cutter), press it with your hand, and draw it with the glass cutting with a confident, but smooth pressure with the second hand. This must certainly be done on a perfectly flat surface, covered in a rag. When you made a cutter with glass cutter, break the material in this place. Be sure to observe safety measures and work in thick cloth gloves so as not to cut. Unfortunately, the above instruction is not suitable for hardened glass, because due to its extraordinary strength it can only be cut by a special machine in the workshop.
When you received a workpiece of the desired size, you need to process its sharp edges, otherwise such a shelf will have to be bypassed so as not to get injured. Grinding is the most important stage of work that requires maximum attention. To do this, you will need a tape grinder. Of course, if it was not possible to get it, you can manually process the edges, but such a lesson will take much more time and effort. Gently walk along the edges of the glass so that they become, if not absolutely round, then at least stupid.
Important: during grinding, regularly moisten the glass with cold water. This is necessary so that fine glass dust does not spread through the air. If you breathe it, it will settle in the lungs and will remain there forever. For this reason, it will be useful to dress up in a good respirator. In addition, the water makes the edge completely transparent. Of course, if you like the matte surface more, you can use a little less water.
Grinding should also be carried out on a flat surface, covered with a rag, placing the glass so that the processed edge only slightly protrudes beyond the edge.
Methods of fastening
For fastening glass shelves, two elements are used: an aluminum profile and special holders. Both of them are not inferior to each other in reliability and functionality, the difference consists only in the features of installation. We will consider each type of mount so that you can choose the most suitable in your case.
By the way, the holders are absolutely universal, which means that they can install glass of any thickness in them. This, perhaps, is their only advantage compared to aluminum profiles that should be selected in accordance with the size of the shelf. However, if you want to make a glass shelf with backlight, you should choose the profile, since it is easy to refuel the LED tape so that it remains invisible and highlights the glass, as it were, from the inside.
Installing holders is quite simple. They consist of only two parts: the base fixed to the wall and decorative stops. To disconnect them, you need to pull the base from the upper stop. Then, on the wall, you should indicate a place for fastening, screw the dowel (should be included with the holder) and fix the bases on them.
Important: for one shelf, even if there are light things on it, at least 2 holders will be required. In this case, they must be installed so that at least 5 cm remains to the edge. The number of holders directly depends on the load on the shelf. Sometimes insufficient dowels can go in the kit, in this case they will not prevent them from replacing suitable fasteners.
Brown shelf
It is time to finally talk about how to make a glass shelf with LED backlight. We already know that for its fastening it is necessary to choose an aluminum profile. Such a shelf is suitable in the bathroom, a bedroom or to the kitchen.
How to make a shelf:
- The profile selected in accordance with the thickness of the glass must be cut to the desired length, and then cut off the burrs and slightly sand the edges. Otherwise, it will not be possible to insert the LED tape.
- Drill the holes in the profile and fasten it to a pre -marked place on the wall. Use self -tapping screws and plastic traffic jams for this. First screw the self -tapping screw at one end, then put the profile in accordance with the marking, but do not fix it, but check it with a horizontal water level. Only after that you can screw the rest of the screws.
- Install the LED tape. Usually in all profiles there is a thin plastic insert that serves as a protective barrier between the ribbon and aluminum and prevents the closure. To fill the tape in the profile, you need to stock up on, especially if its ends are closed.
- When the tape is over, it remains only to install the glass itself. Make sure that it gets into the profile as tightly as possible. To do this, it can be pressed on your own or slightly knocked out with a rubber clay.
We hope you were convinced that it is not difficult to make a stylish glass shelf. For interest, inquiring how much such beauty with backlighting in the store costs. If you are nevertheless scared by the prospect of breathing in glass dust and cutting during the opening of the shelves, you can entrust all this to the master-steamer for a low fee. And anyone will cope with the mount, since this does not require any specific skills.
DIY glass shelves: photo
