Shelf (storage)
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For other uses, see Shelf.
A simple wooden wall shelf
[1]
A shelf (pl. shelves) is a flat horizontal plane which is used in a home,
business, store, or elsewhere to hold items that are being displayed,
stored, or offered for sale. It is raised off the ground and usually
anchored/supported on its shorter length sides by brackets. It can also be
held up by columns or pillars. A shelf is also known as a counter, ledge,
mantel, or rack.[2] Tables designed to be placed against a wall, possibly
mounted, are known as console tables, and are similar to individual
shelves.
A shelf can be attached to a wall or other vertical surface, be suspended
from a ceiling, be a part of a free-standing frame unit, or it can be part of a
piece of furniture such as a cabinet, bookcase, entertainment center, some
headboards, and so on. Usually two to six shelves make up a unit, each
shelf being attached perpendicularly to the vertical or diagonal supports
and positioned parallel one above the other. Free-standing shelves can be
accessible from either one or both longer length sides. A shelf with hidden
internal brackets is termed a floating shelf. A shelf or case designed to hold
books is a bookshelf.
The length of the shelf is based upon the space limitations of its siting and
the amount of weight which it will be expected to hold. The vertical distance
between the shelves is based upon the space limitations of the unit's siting
and the height of the objects; adjustable shelving systems allow the vertical
distance to be altered. The unit can be fixed or be some form of mobile
shelving. The most heavy duty shelving is pallet racking. In a store, the
front edge of the shelf under the object(s) held might be used to display the
name, product number, pricing, and other information about the object(s).
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ReferencesMaterials[edit]
Adjustable shelving made from Dexion steel slotted angle
Shelves are normally made of strong materials such as wood,[3] bamboo or
steel, though shelves to hold lighter-weight objects can be made of glass or
plastic. DIY shelves can even be made from an old door[4], colored
pencils[5] or books.[6]
Pipe shelving[edit]
Pipe shelving can be used in a home, business, store or restaurant. It
consists mainly of wood boards resting on black or galvanized steel gas
pipe. Copper pipe can be used but it is not recommended for heavy duty
shelves. Pipe shelving can also be modified to be used as retail clothing
displays and wall shelves. Pipe shelving supports rest on the floor with floor
flanges (these need not be attached) and attaches to the wall with flanges
that are directed backwards. Many different designs exist and some
companies make these shelves for commercial and residential applications
and others make these shelves as diy projects.[7]
Pipe shelving is mainly attached to a wall but some companies have
designed free standing units. Pipe shelving has even been used in
reclamation projects such as shipping container architecture and was used
by Marriott hotels in a bar project.[8]
Proportions for hanging on a wall[edit]
When hanging shelves on a wall, home designers generally try to ensure
that the shelf should be no wider than 1.4 x bracket's width and no wider
than 1.2 x bracket's height.[citation needed] Spacing brackets for a long shelf
should be no more than 4 x shelf-breadth between each bracket - this holds
true for normal materials used at home.[9]
Length and size of screws holding the shelf to the wall differ depending on
the material of the wall. A good rule of thumb for concrete walls is that the
screw should go into the wall at least at least as far as 1/10th the width of
the shelf. But there are shelf systems where a brace is hung on the wall
onto which brackets are attached without screws.
Etymology[edit]
This section needs
expansion. You can help
by adding to it. (March
2018)
The word shelf is from the Old English scylfe; akin to Low German schelf
shelf and Old Norse -skjalf bench.[10]
References[edit]
1 Jump up
^ "Shelf". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
2 Jump up
^ "Shelf". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2012-05-19.
3 Jump up
^ "How To Build Shelves". Do it Yourself. Retrieved 2012-05-
19.
4 Jump up
^ "DIY Door Shelf Tutorial". Craftaholics anonymous.
Retrieved 2012-05-19.
5 Jump up
^ "Day 27: Pencil Shelf". Variations on Normal. Retrieved
2012-05-19.
6 Jump up
^ "Book Shelf made from books". inhabitat. Retrieved 2012-
05-19.
7 Jump up
^ "HomeMade Modern DIY Pipe Shelves". Retrieved 2016-
09-19.
8 Jump up
^ "Marriott unveils hotel room, bar made from shipping
containers | Real Estate Weekly". rew-online.com. Retrieved 2016-
09-19.
9 Jump up
^ "EWPAA Shelving Design Manual" (PDF). Engineered
Wood Products Association of Australasia. Archived from the original
(PDF) on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
10 Jump up
^ "Shelf". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
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Categories: Cabinets (furniture)FurnitureRetailing
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