Track Shelving

We have a lot of books and am thinking of track shelving for a whole wall so that it all floats off the floor. I know I could get the basic stuff at Lowes but is there anything else out there? Can I recess the track into the wall? I need some ideas--I think this could look great if I get the right components.

Deb

Try www.rakks.com

Look for the C-Standard (I think this is what you want). As for recessing the standards, you might have to tear out a bunch of wall-board.

try searching the forum for rakks. This has been explored a bit in the past. One suggestion was to put up rakks standards with finished pieces of 3/4 inch plywood in bteween them, so that the standards are flush with the plywood. Could be a very cool look.

Thanks. I like it. I suppose you could also use this as a closet system. If anyone has actually used this stuff--what was your project. I assume it's sturdy enough for lots of books, lots of clothes? How far apart where your supports?

If you are going to support books, then the standards really need to hit studs. That means the standards will be 16 apart. You might be able to pull off 32 apart, but the shelves are likely to bow. Of course, if you rip the wall board off the wall, you can put additional studs in to put the standards 24 apart or whatever you want them. If you want to go the plywood route, then the existing wall board is just in the way, so ripping it out is fairly costless. You do need to mount the standards in the middle of each stud to ensure you have a place to attach the plywood. 3/4 plywood would completely hide the C standard and 1/2 plywood would be almost flush with the standard.

Just remember, make sure you get the access slot option so you can add and subtract brackets after the standards are installed.

As for using them for clothes etc. I would contact Rakks (or whatever mfg you choose) and get their recommendation.

Thanks again for those tips--I have been studying their brochure and see what you mean.

I was in NY yesterday and stopped by the MOMA store in Soho for a book and of course I notice they use the Rakks system. They also set the standards into the wall--and they used a spline which slots into the standards to reduce the deflection of the shelves which were blue steel and only 1/4 thick--very nice--1/4 shelves wow. I liked that too. So where do I get this steel? Is it expensive? What is it really called--blue steel? I can't wait.

Deb

here is another idea for you. Probably lots cheaper, and I think the look is nice. A good project for you DIY crowd.


More info can be found about it[url href=http://www.grassrootsmodern.com/2006/08/07/diy-hungarian-shelves/]here[/url]