How to Install Wire Shelving for a Wire Closet System

Our expert volition share his secrets to aid you install closet wire shelving.

Introduction

A professional installer shares his knowledge most how to install wire shelving. Make your job go faster and look ameliorate with these tips for leveling, supporting and cutting wire shelves.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • 1/4-in. pegboard
  • Angle brackets
  • Back wall clips
  • End brackets
  • End caps
  • Retaining clips
  • White zip ties
  • Wire shelving

Meet the Good

Closet wire shelving is popular considering of its price, flexibility and ease of installation. Closet wire shelving, such every bit the attractive white wire shelving used for this project, can be designed to see nigh whatsoever demand at a fraction of the cost of a custom built-in system. And while learning how to install closet wire shelving isn't quite a no-brainer, you don't need to exist a master carpenter or own a fully equipped chiffonier shop to get it done. We picked the encephalon of a pro installer Tim Bischke for these tips to assist you lot on your next installation.

Over the by 15 years, Tim has hung wire shelves in thousands of closets. His jobs have ranged from simple ane-shelf reach-in closets to elaborate walk-in wardrobe sanctuaries. When you've hung that many shelves, you can't assistance but know what you're doing.

Project step-past-step (10)

Step 1

Buy Extra Pieces for Your Wire Closet System

extra wire shelving pieces

Even if yous're just planning to build one cupboard shelf, have extra parts on hand. It takes a lot less time to render a few wall clips than it does to finish working to brand a special trip to the store for just ane. And plans change, so if you or your customer decides to add together a department of shelving, you'll be prepared.

Step 2

White Wire Shelving: Closet Guess vs. Heavy Estimate

Closet gauge vs. heavy gauge wire shelves

Tim primarily works with Closet Maid's standard wire shelving, sold at habitation centers. (Rubbermaid shelving is comparable.) Near manufacturers make a heavier-duty product for garage storage, just Tim feels that the regular stuff is enough potent for the boilerplate bedroom or hall closet. Still, if your customer's closet is going to shop a bowling ball collection, you may want to consider upgrading. The materials for the closet shown here (approximately 22 ft. of shelving and rod) cost about $150.

Step 3

Installing Closet Shelves: Lay Information technology Out With a Bubble Stick

bubble stick level

Tim uses a bubble stick rather than a level when installing closet shelves. A bubble stick is like a ruler and a level rolled into one. Belongings a level against the wall with one hand can be frustrating. Levels are rigid, and they pivot out of identify when resting on a stud that'south bowed out a bit. A bubble stick has a little flex, so it tin can ride the imperfections of the wall withal withal deliver a straight line.

Pace iv

Utilize a Template on the Finish Brackets

end bracket wire shelves template

Tim's first template was nothing more than a 1x3 with a couple of holes drilled in it. He rested a torpedo level on acme of the board and marked the end bracket locations with a pencil. The template he's using here has a built-in level and allows him to drill the holes without marking them first. At $190, this is for guys who exercise lots of closet shelving. Simply if that's you, it's a smashing investment. Yous tin order one from your local Closet Maid dealer.

Step v

Lock Shelving in Place for Sturdy Wire Closet Racks

lock wire shelving in place

Dorsum wall clips are designed to back up the shelf, only if there are a agglomeration of wearing apparel hanging on the front of the shelf with null on top to weigh them down, the back of the shelf tin can lift. To keep the shelf in identify, Tim installs a retaining prune in a stud near the middle of the shelf. One prune toward the heart of an 8-ft. shelf is enough.

Footstep vi

A Bolt Cutter Works Best for Trimming Wire Cupboard Racks

cut wire shelving to length

Cut your shelving with a commodities cutter. Information technology'southward quick and easy, and information technology makes a clean cutting. To make room for the cutter, Tim uses his feet to agree the shelving off the ground.

Step vii

Infinite the Angle Brackets Evenly

Angle bracket wire shelving

Tim considers aesthetics when installing his bending brackets. If a shelf only needs one bracket, he'll discover the stud closest to the center. If ii or three brackets are required, he'll endeavour to infinite them evenly, making sure that at to the lowest degree one bracket toward the center is hitting a stud.

Footstep 8

Measure an Inch Short

end bracket wire shelving

When cutting the shelf, measure wall to wall, and decrease an inch. This allows for the thickness of the end brackets plus a niggling wiggle room. It'southward the top, thinner wire that really supports the shelf, and one wire per end is plenty. Cutting exact lengths volition merely earn you wall scratches and a trip back to the cut station.

Step 9

Pegboard Prevents Tipping

Pegboard wire shelves pantry

When Tim installs wire shelving in pantries, he likes to cap the top of the shelves with white i/four-in. pegboard. This stops the skinnier items from tipping over. He uses white zip ties to hold the pegboard in place. A four ten 8-ft. sail costs less than $20 at nigh home centers, which makes it an inexpensive option.

Footstep 10

Back Wall Clips Don't Need to Striking Studs

push tool wire shelves

Information technology may become against your every instinct, but hitting a stud when you're installing the dorsum wall clips slows the process down and isn't necessary. After mark their locations, Tim drills a ane/four-in. hole and pops the preloaded pushpin in with a push tool. He loves his push tool. It has a piddling indentation in the tip that won't skid off the pivot when it's being set in the drywall. The occasional wall clips that do state on studs demand to be fastened with a screw instead of a pin. You tin can social club a button tool from your local Closet Maid dealer. It should toll less than $25. Utilize the dealer locator at closetmaid.com.

A bookcase or shelf is an extremely useful home storage system. In this drove, you lot'll detect 33 project plans and learn building tips to maximize your bookcase or shelf'south storing capacity.

Originally Published: Jan xv, 2022