Wall mounting large Ikea shelving unit

MrBrindle · 26 Oct 2016

Morning, wondering if someone could guide me in the right direction.

I'm going to mount this: http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/doc/assembly_instructions/kallax__aa-1009545-9_pub.pdf on our office wall. Instructions say to use 3 brackets, but I'm going to add a few extra as I have spares. But like a lot of ikea stuff they don't suggest what fixings to use.

Dont a fair bit of floating shelves, heavy mirrors etc, but not sure what to use on this. It's got a max load of 30kg, but it weighs around 16kg.

Was planning on using 5 L brackets (the type they come with), along with brown plugs and 60mm screws. Will that do the job?

Thanks

big-all · 26 Oct 2016

you dont need a lot off support as all the weight is on the floor
all you are doing is stopping someone pulling it beyond the tipping point so two or three should be more than enough held in with wall plugs or toggles

Burnerman · 26 Oct 2016

Those brackets are really to avoid a topple.....if you want to lift the unit off the floor, it would be better to sit it on a timber batten - and not overload it.
John

MrBrindle · 26 Oct 2016

@big-all The aim is to install it on the wall itself, lifted off the floor as Burnerman said!

Would I need a batten even if instructions say you only need to use 3 brackets to actually wall mount ? (see page 18 on the PDF)

big-all · 26 Oct 2016

may or may not work
the joints are the bottom are probably designed for compressive loads so the fixings between base and side are fairly weak as they only really locate the components and stop them sliding off
does it say anywhere in the instructions it can be floated ??

Burnerman · 26 Oct 2016

It doesn't actually show the unit vertically wall mounted - just horizontal, and that way the load would be spread more.
If you want it vertical I'd be inclined to batten first, but you could maybe get away with it - if the load is light. I prefer the belt and braces approach!
John

MrBrindle · 26 Oct 2016

@big-all Yes on page 18 it shows it being floated with the fixings.

@Burnerman Sorry should have said this originally. Yes it will be horizontally mounted, but I'm still going to use a few more fixings for good measure.

So to the original question, what shall I use in the wall? It's solid (stone or blocks), so will some plugs and screws do? Or am I better getting some anchor bolts?

Burnerman · 26 Oct 2016

I would use 8mm diameter plugs and 50mm x 5 screws if you get a good fixing......do bear in mind these units are only as good as the materials and fixings that they use!
Overloading must be avoided but it is OK to mount the unit this way, and extra brackets can only help.
John

Chud · 26 Oct 2016

I used 8 x 120mm frame fixings when I wall mounted the stuva cabinets in my son's room and they're good and solid.

For heavier loading you could put a french cleat on the back at the top...and lock it in place using the brackets along the bottom.

97365d1404337499-french-cleat-system-locking-mechanism-603.jpg

foxhole · 26 Oct 2016

There is an aluminium bar version of the french cleat only uses about 4mm so keeps it close to wall.

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Wall mounting large Ikea shelving unit

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