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Alternatives for shelving material besides plywood.

Posted on 5/18/22 at 10:12 am
Posted by PeteRose
Hall of Fame
Member since Aug 2014
16843 posts
Posted on 5/18/22 at 10:12 am
I building a garage storage shelving unit. Initially, I was going to buy one on amazon but it looked kind of small, covering only 18 sqft for $120. So I started a DIY project(easy and fun) and everything is done except the getting the plywood for the shelves. I looked on Home Depot and 3/4" 4x8 is $60 a piece?
Posted by ellunchboxo
Gtown
Member since Feb 2009
18787 posts
Posted on 5/18/22 at 10:22 am to
Metal grating?
Posted by BlackPot
Member since Oct 2016
2058 posts
Posted on 5/18/22 at 10:29 am to
My dad owns a flooring store, he gives me all the old hard wood flooring samples. They're about 3/4" and free. They're about 2'x3' roughly. Takes a few, not perfect, but I use them for everything. So if you have one near, you can maybe score some.
This post was edited on 5/18/22 at 10:30 am
Posted by RaginCajunz
Member since Mar 2009
5320 posts
Posted on 5/18/22 at 10:31 am to
They do sell this stuff. A laminate covered particle board material.

Laminate Shelf Boards
Posted by TigerVizz87
Member since Dec 2021
164 posts
Posted on 5/18/22 at 10:36 am to
MDF? You could also add bracing and not need 3/4" ply.

Have also used 1x12's for shelving they are narrow enough.
Posted by idlewatcher
County Jail
Member since Jan 2012
78976 posts
Posted on 5/18/22 at 11:09 am to
Sanded birch plywood is great for cabinets. I just added another level with it yesterday and it's super smooth.
Posted by PeteRose
Hall of Fame
Member since Aug 2014
16843 posts
Posted on 5/18/22 at 12:30 pm to
That looks nice but I just realized that I need 21” for the shelving depth and the prefabricated isn’t going to fit. Looks like ply is the only way.
Posted by armsdealer
Member since Feb 2016
11497 posts
Posted on 5/18/22 at 1:03 pm to
You probably only need 1/2" and look around for something not at homedepot.

Even do it best had better prices, but I just go to a hardwood supplier and you can get furniture quality maple for the same price as the crap at home depot.
Posted by Jon A thon
Member since May 2019
1630 posts
Posted on 5/18/22 at 1:13 pm to
I used OSB for all my shelving in the garage. Wasn't going for a "finished" look or anything. At least when I built them. Eventually enclosed them to make cabinets.
Posted by NattyLite
St. Charles Community
Member since Jan 2010
2022 posts
Posted on 5/18/22 at 3:34 pm to
I used old fence boards from my neighbors fence.
Posted by Duck Island
Member since Aug 2017
112 posts
Posted on 5/18/22 at 4:04 pm to
You can use 3/4” mdf and put a 1x2 face on the front edge. It’ll be strong and could slap a coat of paint on it if you wanted.
Posted by 9rocket
Member since Sep 2020
1203 posts
Posted on 5/18/22 at 4:12 pm to
Depending on your unsupported span and what you intend on storing on them, 2x6s or 2x8s might be the way to go. Good for multiple paint cans, boxes of screws or nails, heavy tools. As you could probably tell, I hate a sagging shelf.
Posted by LSUfan20005
Member since Sep 2012
8809 posts
Posted on 5/18/22 at 9:29 pm to
Cut cattle panel with wooden supports under.

Bonus: No cleaning shelves
This post was edited on 5/18/22 at 9:30 pm
Posted by gumbo2176
Member since May 2018
15052 posts
Posted on 5/19/22 at 3:10 am to
quote:

You probably only need 1/2" and look around for something not at homedepot.



You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about if you think 1/2 in. material is OK for shelving=====especially 21 in. deep shelving.

That shite will sag with no weight on them.
Posted by BRgetthenet
Member since Oct 2011
117682 posts
Posted on 5/19/22 at 4:12 am to
quote:

I used old fence boards from my neighbors fence



In the house? Garage?

I thought treated lumber indoors was bad.
Posted by PeteRose
Hall of Fame
Member since Aug 2014
16843 posts
Posted on 5/19/22 at 10:45 am to
I went with 1/2” ply. Bought two 4x8 and had them cut up the pieces I need. $110. Wood is so expensive now that a random Mexican brought up the issue while I was looking for my pieces.
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