MDF for shelves

[73 Mustang Bill]

I bought some of the steel frame shelves from HD. The supplied shelves are rated for 800 lbs, but they are ****. 3/8" particle board might hold up for 800 lbs if evenly distributed, but they sag horribly under even the lightest load, even though the wood is supported on all four sides.

I had some scape MDF that I used to replace a couple of the shelves 3 weeks ago, one of which I reenforced with some 2x2s for extra support, glued and screwed through the MDF. I really like the way that the MDF takes the paint. Much better look than plywood. So far, I don't see any sagging in them.

Time has come to replace the other shelves as well. I would never use MDF for the vertical support anywhere near the floor, because any water on the would be soaked up by the MDF and it would swell. I am just using the MDF for the shelves themselves. I'm just wondering about the long-term (20-30 years) viability of the MDF for shelves, or would plywood be better?

Thanks

 

[Gary S]

For a shelf, MDF should last as long as plywood. The thickness matters here more for strength than the material. You should be satisfied for the long haul.

 

[sscustom]

MDF or medium density fiberboard should be fine for shelfs etc but if water or any liquid sits on top of it it will swell up like weatbix lol

 

[cashishift]

MDF or medium density fiberboard should be fine for shelfs etc but if water or any liquid sits on top of it it will swell up like weatbix lol

true story.

edges can be sharp too.. route them.

 

[robertwhite]

I bought 2 sets of the "each shelf supports 800lbs" units and within a week, every single shelf sagged in the middle. When I move the shelving down to the new shop I will be reinforcing or replacing the **** shelves.

 

[domain]

I think you will be just fine using mdf (Adequate size) as shelves. Especially if you reinforce them. +1 for keep them away from liquids...

 

[BTC]

I've also wondered about MDF for shelving. I'm building a house, and my builder uses MDF for all kinds of trim and also for all closet shelving. I'm gonna say the MDF they use for shelving is probably 1/2"-3/4" thick. I'll have to measure.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

I've made a lot of stuff from it, even the light weight stuff. Use a good high gloss paint on it and it will hold up well.

 

[scott37300]

I've built a ton of shelving out of 2x4s and MDF and it doesn't sag at all. First thing is you can't use 3/8" anything and expect it to hold 800 pounds. I use 3/4" MDF. I cut it to 2'x4' sheets, run my frames that support the MDF on the 2' sides and then run a 2"x3" in the middle to support it better. I have set lots of weight on them without any fail or sag.

 

[tkonbass]

I made shelves out of 3/4" MDF for the shed at my previous house and even with the humidity down here they've held up fine. I did have a container of bug spray spring a leak on one of the shelves and it did swell up but did not seem to affect the shelves' integrity. If I was to do it again I would either paint the MDF or put a couple coats of clear polyurethane on them to help with liquids.

TK

 

[theoldwizard1]

MDF or medium density fiberboard should be fine for shelfs etc but if water or any liquid sits on top of it it will swell up like weatbix lol

Now explain to the folks in North America what Wheatbix is. (And then explain why any one would eat Vegemite on toast !)

 

[Norcal]

Now explain to the folks in North America what Wheatbix is. (And then explain why any one would eat Vegemite on toast !)

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=Weetabix



Your on your own w/ Vegemite.

 

[BTC]

I measured my shelves today, and they are 3/4" MDF. I'm glad to hear that MDF shelving doesn't ****. MDF also looks very nice when painted.

 

[Cyberbear]

I've yet to see any horizontal shelving made of MDF or particle board that didn't sag over time, depending on the quality of the material used and applied load. To prevent sagging many have used additional reinforcing materials, but if you're going to do that, you perhaps should have used the proper plywood thickness to begin with. Just my opinion based on past experience.

 

[1/2 Cup]

All of the above in terms of the mdf, good advice,

Come on guys, to us Aussies Vegemite is part of our staple diet.mmmmmm

Every morning on toast.mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[Jay Sco]

I've still got the thin MDF that came with my steel shelf units. I figured I'd replace them with thicker MDF once they sag but they've been holding up pretty good so far. Although I have everything in milk crates so the weight gets distributed pretty evenly.

 

[djjsr]

zombie thread

 

[Shadowdog500]

I measured my shelves today, and they are 3/4" MDF. I'm glad to hear that MDF shelving doesn't ****. MDF also looks very nice when painted.

I've yet to see any horizontal shelving made of MDF or particle board that didn't sag over time, depending on the quality of the material used and applied load. To prevent sagging many have used additional reinforcing materials, but if you're going to do that, you perhaps should have used the proper plywood thickness to begin with. Just my opinion based on past experience.

Well, it's been a few years, are they sagging?

Chris