Over time the old shelves in a closet deteriorate so replacing them may be the only way to bring your closet back to life. Replacing old shelves is an ideal project for any homeowner and fairly inexpensive. It takes about six hours to complete and requires the use of a few power tools. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Remove all objects from the closet including books, boxes and even the closet rods, if applicable. Unscrew and remove any remaining shelf hardware and take out the existing shelves.
2. Measure the width and depth of the closet with a metal tape measure. Measure from side wall to side wall, and from the back of the wall to the inside of the front wall. Don't measure to the front of the door or door jambs.
3. Draw a clear mark on the wall with a pencil and carpenter's level for every shelf you plan to install. Following recommended shelving heights, place the first shelf 18 to 20 inches from the floor and another shelf every 12 or 15 inches up the wall. Adjust as your needs dictate.
4. Don goggles and cut the new 1-by-12 boards to the width of the closet, using the power saw. Cut one board for every shelf you plan to replace.
5. Cut cleats for the shelving. Use 1-by-3 boards as cleats and cut one cleat 10 inches long for the sides of the shelves and another the width of the closet as the rear cleat for the back wall.
6. Mount the shelving cleats on the wall with screws and anchors. Place the cleat boards on the wall with the top edge lined up with your line. Drill through the cleat board and into the wall with a 3/32-inch drill bit. Remove the cleat board. Re-drill the holes with a 1/4-inch bit and slide a drywall anchor into the hole. Put the cleat board back on the wall and drill 2-inch, #8 screws into the cleat board to secure it in the anchors.
7. Set a shelf board on top of each set of cleats after installation. Screw the boards to the cleats with 2-inch screws and a power screwdriver.
Tags: cleat board, wall with, back wall, 2-inch screws, boards cleats, every shelf