DIY glass shelves
Shelf is an important element of the interior, which allows you to use the space more efficiently. In addition, the interior looks more complete and aesthetic. In modern interiors, glass is increasingly featured as an independent material or in combination with other materials. The claim of fragility of the glass is just a myth. Hardened material can withstand quite significant loads. We will consider in this article how to make glass shelves with your own hands and their use in various rooms.
to contents ↑Application area
Glass as an element of furniture looks beautiful and original, creates a visual feeling of spaciousness. Until recently, the fragility of this material was a limiting factor. However, modern innovative technologies make it possible to obtain glass with increased strength. We are talking about tempered and tempered glass, resistant to shocks and able to withstand large mechanical loads.
Using glass shelves, you can create unique and non-standard solutions for the design of the room. You can easily create the illusion of a lack of space and the impression that objects placed on shelves soar in zero gravity. Due to this visual effect, glass racks can be used in small rooms:
- Bathrooms
- hallways;
- living areas with low ceilings.
to contents ↑Important! Glass constructions equipped with backlight harmonize well with the Hi-tech or Minimalism style. Bent constructions also fit well into the Hi-tech concept.
The advantages of glass:
- Chemical neutrality to household chemicals.
- Ecological cleanliness, hygiene of the material, ease of care. The glass surface is easy to wash, disinfect and clean.
- The material does not absorb odors.
- Durability. The material retains its original presentable appearance for a long time, does not change color and does not deform.
- Moisture resistance.
- Resistance to mechanical stress. In particular, this applies to thick glass or triplex. On such structures, even massive household appliances can be placed.
- Aesthetics. Glass constructions look light, elegant and almost weightless.
Structural Classification
There are such types of shelves, for the manufacture of which glass is used:
- Wall - a concise and beautiful interior solution that can be implemented in different versions.
- Outboard. These shelves are fixed to the ceiling with special fasteners or cables. However, this is their main drawback. Today, manufacturing companies offer customers fasteners that are virtually invisible and do not spoil the interior.
- Corner designs allow you to beat space as efficiently as possible. This is not just a repository for various items, but also a real highlight of the interior.
- Round shelves are good, first of all, for their originality and unusualness. You do not just acquire a functional piece of furniture, but also decorate the room.
Corner wall shelves are universal, but are most often used in bathrooms.The glass is durable, practical, not afraid of moisture and is well cleaned from dirt. Shelves for the living room or kitchen decorate the interior and are a convenient place to place things and household appliances.
Important! Having made glass shelves for indoor plants, you beautifully and unconventionally decorate the green corner, while saving space in the room. This is a good alternative to placing flowers on window sills.
A useful option is the presence on the shelves of the sides at the edges. Aesthetics suffers somewhat from this, but the risk of falling objects that are not quite well placed on the surface decreases.
to contents ↑Making glass shelves with your own hands
If you like beautiful glass constructions, then, in addition to buying finished products, there are 2 options for resolving the issue:
- Individual product order.
- Self-made.
Making glass shelves with your own hands will allow you to acquire unique products and save money at the same time.
Before you make a glass shelf with your own hands, you need to determine the place of fastening of the structure and make all the necessary measurements. This will ensure that the shelf fits perfectly into the interior.
The next stage of work is cutting and processing of material. You will need these tools:
- Good glass cutter.
- Belt grinding machine.
- Abrasive sandpaper for 120 units.
- Ruler.
In order to minimize the complexity of grinding, masters advise using an oil glass cutter. If you do not have significant experience in cutting glass, first practice on an unnecessary piece.
Important! Several cuts made in a row degrade the appearance of the material. Therefore, experts advise making an incision, and then break the glass along the formed line.
The next step is slicing. This is a prerequisite, since sharp edges can cause injury when using the finished product. In addition, high-quality processing improves the aesthetics of the product.
to contents ↑Important! When sanding glass, periodically wet the surface. The reasons are as follows:
- Water on the surface does not allow glass dust to spread through the air. In addition, it is necessary to grind the glass surface only using personal protective equipment (respirators).
- The use of water during grinding allows you to get a transparent surface. Otherwise, the edge will be matte.
Rules for the location of glass structures
The first and most common rule: shelves should be accessible to adults and safe for children. They will look best on a blank wall.
Before placing the structure on the wall, make markings. Shelves should be placed not just at the same distance, but also horizontally. A crooked design can not spoil, but spoil the interior.
to contents ↑How to fix a glass shelf on the wall?
An important point is the fastening of the structure. It must be reliable and aesthetic at the same time. You can fix the shelves using an aluminum profile or special holders.
Important! The shelf holders are aesthetic and reliable. You can find accessories for glasses of any thickness on sale. However, the advantage of the aluminum profile is that it has the ability to mount the backlight.
Mounting Features
Mounting the holder is extremely easy. The holder has a two-layer structure: a base designed specifically for wall mounting, and a top that serves as decor.
For installation, disconnect both parts and fix the base to the wall with dowels. The latter are included in the kit.
Important! The minimum number of holders for one shelf is 2. If the design is large and heavy, then the number of holders must be increased.
Installation of aluminum profile:
- To get started, cut the profile to fit the structure. Strip off any irregularities that may have occurred during trimming.
- Drill the holes in the profile necessary for its installation on the wall.
- Fix the profile on the wall with plastic plugs and screws.
The final stage of shelf installation is the installation of glass in the mounted profile. For tight fixation, use a wooden extension and a rubber mallet.
to contents ↑Stock footage
As you can see, the manufacture of a glass shelf with your own hands does not present any special difficulties. But, if it seems to you too laborious, contact the master.
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