Installing Wire Shelving |
| Fixed wire shelving can be installed relatively quickly, and it can save you valuable time
every day by organizing your storage spaces. You can organize a closet or pantry to your
exact needs with our epoxy coated wire shelving and a just few tools. |
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Planning Your Shelving System: |
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Careful planning and measuring are integral parts of any successful closet project.
First, determine the number and style
of shelves you'll need to best fit your application. You can choose between
Open-Slide Shelving and
Tight Mesh Shelving, or combine
the two types for even more versatile storage.
Next, carefully measure the space into which you will install your wire shelves. Our installation professionals suggest
measuring twice, to rule out the possibility of error.
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To Determine Shelf Size:
- Measure the length you want
the shelf to run along the wall.
- Subtract 3/4" if the
shelf will touch a wall on one end.
- Subtract 1 1/2" if the shelf
will touch a wall on both ends.
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Installation Basics & Measuring: |
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The back of each wire shelf will need to be securely fastened to the wall with
screw-mounted clips. The front of the shelf should be stabilized by
brackets or support poles. Our Versa-Clips and mounting screws
work in nearly all wall materials, such as dry
wall, solid wood, or even masonry.
First, measure and mark the desired height of each shelf on the wall. The guidelines below represent typical shelf heights
of a typical closet. You may use these measurements
to determine where to place each shelf, or create your own. |
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Decide the Locations for the Versa Clips:
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Once you have marked the height for each shelf, you will need to determine the location for each
Versa-Clip.
We offer a specialized Installation Template designed to make
locating the proper positions for clips and wall brackets hassle free.
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With Installation Template:Align the template's shelf line indicator on your desired
height marker, and level the template using the included bubble level.
Mark the position of the clips as indicated on the template.
Move the template along the wall as needed, leveling each time, and mark the clip locations for the entire shelf length.
Without Installation Template:
Using a level at your height marker, draw a guide line to mark the run of the shelf.
Mark the position of the first clip:
- If the end of the shelf will touch the wall, the first clip will be placed 1 1/2" from the wall. Mark the guide line there.
- If the end of the shelf will not touch the wall, the clip should be placed 1" in from the end of the shelf to provide extra
support. Mark the guide line there.
- Mark both ends of the shelf according to the guidelines above, then make equally spaced marks in-between. Make sure
that no two marks are spaced more than 11" apart.
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Installing the clips: |
- Using a 1/4" drill bit, drill a hole at each of the marks you made.
- Being careful not to twist the Versa Clips, insert one clip into each hole.
- Secure each clip with a screw. Continue to turn each screw until it feels stripped. This will fully produce the unique
fastening knot in, or behind the wall material.
- After all the clips are in the wall, start at one end and attach the shelf to the clips one at a time. Simply pop the
back wire of the shelf into the slot on the clip. (Figure 1.)
- Cover any open ends of the shelf with plastic caps to avoid snagging and poking.
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Important: Use an inverted Versa Clip as a hold-down at any open end and above all support braces. (Figure 2.)
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The Support System: |
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For strong and safe shelving, it is of paramount importance that every shelf is secured strongly to the
surrounding walls.
Any shelf end that touches a wall should be secured by an End
Mounting Bracket.
To Install the End Mounting Brackets:
- Lower the clipped-in shelf to its level position and slide the End Bracket into place, marking the screw holes.
- Holding the shelf out of the way, drill a hole at each mark and insert plastic anchors.
- Secure the bracket with screws driven into the anchors and lower the shelf into place.
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Shelf Support Braces
For the strongest and most secure mounting of a single shelf, use
Shelf Support Braces.
These braces support the front of your shelf to prevent tipping.
You should install a Shelf Support Brace at
least every 3' along the run of the shelf. For heavier
loads, place a Shelf Support Brace every 2'. You must also be sure to install a Shelf Support Brace no more than 2' away
from the end of any shelf that does not touch a wall. |
To Install the Shelf Support Brace:- While holding the shelf level, insert the Support
Brace in shelf as shown and rotate back to the wall. (Figure 1.-2.)
- Mark the wall through the support brace, and drill a hole using 1/4" drill bit.
- Holding the Support Brace to the wall, insert the included Tri-Loc Anchor into the hole.
- Draw the anchor tight with a power screwdriver until it is flush.
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Shelf Support Poles
For the strongest and most secure mounting of a stack of multiple shelves (for example, in a linen closet), use
Shelf Support Poles.
You may also choose to use Shelf Support Poles for a single shelf.
Like the braces, these poles support the front of each shelf to prevent tipping. |
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To Install the Shelf Support Poles:
- Install a Shelf Support Pole at 2' or 3' intervals along the run of the shelf.
- You must also be sure to install
a Shelf Support Brace no more than 2' away from the end of any shelf that does not touch a wall.
- Once you have decided where your poles will be placed, hold the shelf level, and adjust the
Shelf Clips (Sold Separately) to the desired height.
- Using the fasteners included with the Shelf Clips, tighten the clip in place to secure the shelf.
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Beyond the Basics: |
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Shoe Shelves for Closets
You can create specialty storage for shoes quite easily with our Ventilated Wire Shelving. Simply use a
Tight Mesh Shelf, and turn it upside down so that the lip is facing up.
This lip will hold the toe of each shoe. Instead of using Support Braces or Poles for your shoe shelf,
Shoe Shelf Brackets are available to hold the shelf at an angle. The bracket clips to the bottom
of your shoe shelf and, depending upon the height of your shelf, either attaches to the wall or sits on the floor. |
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Creating Corners in the Closet
You can use Ventilated Wire Shelving in corners without sacrificing storage space. Simply use two shelves. One shelf will end in the corner at the wall,
and the other will end at the edge of the first shelf.
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Making a Corner:
- First, measure both walls along which you wish to install shelving. Measure all the way to the corner.
- The measurement you take for one wall will be the length of that shelf.
- Subtract the depth you have chosen for your shelves from the measurement of the other wall. (see figure)
- Order your shelves in those lengths, and install them as shown.
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Accessories:
Several accessories are available to help you further customize your wire shelving.
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Back to Wire Shelving |
