Ph.D. wrote:

>Nicholas Bodley skribis:
>
>
>>As to materials, particle board seems to be popular; I
>>don't like it, but it is practical (and heavy). Old particle
>>board released small amounts of formaldehyde from the
>>adhesive that bonds the wood chips, so be cautious
>>about old particle-board furniture.
>>
>>
>
>
>Popular, yes; practical, no. At least for the horizontal
>shelves. These need to be solid boards of wood. The
>problem with particle board is that it has no stiffness.
>At first the shelves will look okay, but after six months,
>the weight of the books will cause particle board shelves
>to become deeply bowed in the center.
>
>--Ph. D.
>
>
>

I have some particle board shelf that seem to be able to stand up to the
weight....I got them about 5 years ago from Staples - the shelves are ~
1.5 inches thick and 3 feet long, cantilevered on two small pins on
either end.

I think the sagging issue would be related to shelf thickness, length,
and the support mechanism for hanging them. Thinner shelves could work
if the method for supporting them is different.

I can't speak to the formaldehyde issue at all.

Best,

Barry



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