Standard closet hardware includes various sizes of drywall screws.
Many of today's closets have gone beyond the standard rod-and-shelf style closet to include custom built-ins with adjustable shelving. Traditional floor-based and wall-hung modular systems require similar construction and mounting hardware while more contemporary modular units require additional specialty hardware. No matter what the style of closet you install, all systems share some amount of hardware in common. Does this Spark an idea?
Standard Hardware
Traditional closet installation includes wood screws to adhere shelving units into the studs of the wall and drywall screws for drywall. Gillett Cole, author of "Build Your Own Custom Closet" recommends four different sizes of drywall screws, ranging from 3/4-inch to 2 1/2-inches. If you're building custom closet units from scratch, 10d, 8d, 6d and 4d finish nails are standard. Steel L-brackets, also known as corner brackets, are used to connect shelves to walls. Toggle bolts mount drawer slides directly to the wall in closets where one side of the drawer unit is flush to the wall. Metal shelf standards and brackets allow adjusting shelves where there aren't any predrilled holes. Shelf pegs or pins are standard in predrilled melamine shelving stock. Within the shelving material, Euro barrel screws, knock-down screws and wood dowels hold the pieces together. Cabinets require hinges and most drawers require knobs, pulls or handles.
Specialty Hardware
Most modular closets require standard hardware and some amount of specialty hardware, depending on the materials and type of unit you're installing. More contemporary units make use of a locking-cam hardware system, also known as knock-down fittings, or KDs. Locking cams allow modular shelves to be fastened together through an adjoined vertical panel, which increases the strength and sturdiness of the overall shelving unit. To change the shelf position, simply use a screwdriver to "unlock" the cam and move it. Heavier modular units require Toggler bolts to secure them to the wall. Toggler bolts are similar to toggle bolts, but stronger, larger and somewhat more complicated to install. Metal toggle bolts are fine for medium-weight modular units, and self-drilling metal or plastic anchors are used with lightweight sections of the closet.
Wire Shelving Hardware
Vinyl coated wire shelving is one of the most common closet shelving materials, and the shelving requires its own special installation hardware. If you purchase a wire shelving package complete with hardware, the installation hardware is included. If you purchase bulk wire shelving at the hardware store and must procure the right hardware, you'll need the following: shelf support brackets, a clothes rod with a rod hanger -- which attaches to the wire shelf -- side wall supports for each shelf and rod and wall supports for the shelf brackets. Connecting wire shelving to the wall requires both wall and bracket anchors. To connect one wire shelf to another you'll need connectors and connector brackets. Each shelf is finished off with wire end caps.
Tags: drywall screws, modular units, wire shelving, also known, installation hardware, modular units require
