Bookcases--followup. Carpenters/cabinetmakers, what do you think?

[anonymouse1]

Thanks again for all the good advice.

After looking at how much work would be involved, I took one more look for ready-to-assemble (RTA) bookcases, and I found two that I think are a better option.

One option is from Ikea, made from pine, no back, and available in a white paint finish that looks pretty meh to me. The Amazon option is made from parawood (rubber tree wood), and I like the design a lot more. There will be more work involved, because (a) I'll need to paint, and (b) I'll need to trim off the molding around the top so that I can put the bookcases flush against each other. I'm planning on buying some 1x2 or 1x3 red oak to build a base to level things out, as suggested earlier.

I'm thinking of using Cabinet Coat (water-based urethane), or Benjamin Moore Advance (water-based alkyd) for the paint. However, Benjamin Moore suggested using a solvent based oil paint, Satin Impervo Alkyd Low Lustre Enamel C235. But I'd much rather avoid the solvents/VOCs.

If you have any suggestions or comments, please let me know.

Here's the Amazon bookcase:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PIR..._qh_dp_hza

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/...L1500_.jpg


Here's the Ikea:
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70388639/

https://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/0703718_PE724821_S5.JPG

[Robert M]

Anon,

The amazon bookcases are just like a zillion similar RTA bookcases that are readily available. I didn't see your original thread but if you're going to get bookcases and install them flush together, better to buy ones that are designed for that type of usage from the start and be done with it. It'll save you lots of work.

I wanted an expansive set of bookcases for my old apartment and, after looking at what was out there, I bought a set of Ikea Billy bookcases. They sat flush together. It was easy to attach them to each other to ensure they stayed flush. I was able to extend the height. Could've added glass or wood doors easily. Attached to the wall to prevent them from tipping was easy, too.

They aren't the prettiest bookcases but, when it came to solid basic functionality, flexibility and price, you just couldn't beat them. I put them in place in 2008/2009 and the apartment has changed hands twice since then and they are still performing admirably.

Robert

[Mr Downtown]

I'm with Robert M. Buy bookcases that are designed to go flush together, and the color you want, and then add a strip of molding and extended top board if you wish.

I generally level them with shims and then lock the bookcases flush with each other by using a couple of short drywall screws from one into the next. Of course, this damages the side walls of the ones in the middle, but the Billy already has visible screwheads. Some other systems don't.

Most RTA bookcases use cheap particle board for the shelves, and sag can be an issue. Especially for shelves with heavy books, you can reinforce the back edge of each shelf using shallow steel shelf standards.


You can do something similar with 3-inch strips of 1/8-inch plywood, or with baseboard molding. Just have it extend above the shelf where it will be hidden by the books. Or you can decide on the shelf positions and put a 10-inch wide strip of plywood on the back, with drywall screws going through the cardboard or fiberboard "back" and into the shelves.

[Mike Sellers]

I got several white and black Hemnes bookcases from IKEA. Painted wood like the ones you were looking at. I think they look much better than the Billy line and the shelves don't sag since they're not particle board. You do have to secure a back to them and make sure they're securely assembled or the sides can spread and the shelves fall down.

[jdc]

Agree with both

We have 2 like the first one you posted, looks like this, not flush. Works fine for where it is, its just the 2, and the floor kinda ties them together:



We have some "ikea type" bookcases in our den, I built a cap from plywood and baseboard, painted white and tossed on top. 2 look like a single long bookcase. These are from a local place, only in Nor Cal. They have a middle vertical shelf, shelves are 2 short ones. Not ideal for "wide" things I guess. But I have had stacks of heavy CA magazines on some for over a decade, zero sag.

On both, wife papered the back to give them more color. Think the first ones are scrapbook sheets, second one is wrapping paper. Scotch tape was all it needed.

[Ca Bob]

Make sure you attach them firmly to the wall using a stud finder to prevent danger from earthquakes.