Is there a way to easily reinforce sagging bookshelves?

Question

I have a bookcase with some very heavy books and over time the shelves have begun to sag. I put wooden supports between the levels and this works but looks terrible even after staining. Any better ideas?

Answer 1

Apparently you are only giving a support to the front of the shelves. This works sometimes but with a lot of books there is a lot of weight. First of all are all of the shelves the same width between the shelves? And how wide are the shelves. Now I don't personally know how wide the boards are or how thick you can find it at hardware store but find out from them where you can get what you want if they don't carry it. Just as a suppose the height between all of the shelves are 12 inches and the boards that the books are on are 10".' Try to get the board as thick as you can so it can be used as a decoration. Get the 12" wide and have it cut every 10"'s. How long the board would be would depend on you or what is available at the store. The 12" will be for the height and the 10' cut would put the board to the back of the board the books are on. The reason I mentioned getting it thicker to make it look like one of the books and you could stain it any color you wanted or if nothing else paint it in various colors. E-mail me if there is something in these suggestions that would need more elaboration and I will help you.

Answer 2

Put the support board at the back of the shelf and a 1x2 face board along the front edge. This should support the shelf. I used just the uprights and did some beading along the edges. The front support board works best if it is done before the shelf has a load placed on it.

Answer 3

Once a year, or so, flip the shelves upside down.

You could also put a small board in the middle and between the books.

Answer 4

If they're adjustable put the shelves at a level such that they rest on the books below. Also put the heaviest books on the bottom shelf.