How to make glass shelves with their own hands

Shelves than any other element of the interior optimizes space and as compact as possible to fit all the objects.However, not all the shelves are equally good.Glass, for example, in addition to its obvious functionality possess one quality - they instantly "unload" the interior gives it lightness and style.Catalogs of furniture stores are full of an abundance of models, but why not save and do not try to make glass shelves with their hands, the more that it is not too difficult.We invite you to see this first hand.

Advantages and disadvantages of glass shelves

Despite the prevalence, many are hesitant to install glass shelves on the wall, because they think that those strong enough and safe.However, it is worth remembering that almost all the shop windows are made of this material, and sometimes hold very heavy and bulky items.The fact that the shelf is used to create the glass is not that found in conventional screens, and increased strength.Moreover, there is a tempered glass resistant to even strong shocks and scratches insured by education.From this make countertops, cabinets and even flooring.

Glass furniture always looks very stylish, compact and modern.It easily fit into any interior, whether it is high-tech, minimalist or popular lately loft.

Glass shelves favorably with those of similar structures of other materials:

• they are not afraid of moisture, so it is possible and even necessary to install in the bathrooms;
• glass is resistant to chemical attack, so it can be cleaned with any household assets;
• material is completely hygienic, does not absorb dirt and dust do not delay;
• such shelves quick and easy to clean;
• glass shelves have an unlimited shelf life and can be used virtually forever if no one will break;
• wood or plastic is exposed to direct sunlight fade, and the glass does not alter the original form, even while constantly under the sun;
• undeniable advantage is also aesthetic appeal of glass furniture.

You can also add that if you are going to make the glass shelf with your own hands, it will cost you much cheaper than ready to purchase option.

As we have said, the glass shelves can withstand severe pressure, but it mostly depends on the thickness of the selected window.Therefore, if you need a book or shelf under the TV, it is better to give preference to the most durable products.And even if you Construct a glass cabinet in the wall, it will still appear weightless and compact - no wood or metal is unable to.This solution is particularly advantageous for small rooms and studio apartments.

Glass shelves are very beautiful look with LED backlight.It is not only attractive, but also convenient - an additional source of light never hurts.Besides LED strip consuming much less energy than conventional bulbs and are much longer.For more information on how to make a shelf of glass with their hands backlit we describe below.

Another interesting point - the glass adds to the interior brightness and radiance.It has the reflectivity increasing space visually.Often for this purpose on the wall hung a large mirror, and if you add them weightless transparent shelves, the small room seem spacious and comfortable.

But that everything was just such a favorable way, should choose wisely for the manufacture of glass shelves.Theoretically, this will suit the most common window glass, but this design will stand unless the small figurines and fun trinkets that adorn the interior.The functional load have only objects made of high-strength and tempered glass.They can be safely put up flower pots, tape recorders, televisions, books and other useful household items.

Deficiencies in glass shelves, there is only operating features.The most obvious such feature - the transparency of the material.Through it we will see all that is contained on the shelf, and therefore will have to accustom themselves to maintain perfect order, including daily dust and fingerprints.But there is a little trick - you can make a shelf of stained glass, however, is not free you from harvesting.

Types

shelves Glass shelves are very different.It has long gone are the days when their shape is limited to a rectangle.Glass is actually very malleable material that can take on any form completely, to recall the profession of glassblowers.At the end of this article you will find photo galleries, which presents shelves of different shapes and sizes.

Depending on the position in space and attachment method are distinguished wall, overhead and angled shelves.The first are characterized by high aesthetics and often are large, stylish interior decoration than a strict functional element.For fixing cables can be used, let down from the ceiling, or special secret holders that create a feeling that the shelf as if floating in the air.

Corner shelves allows for maximum use of storage space.They are very helpful to relieve the situation in the small bathrooms and kitchens, where ever there is a lot of small items and keep them in order is difficult.In fact, all possible angles in the apartment fill these shelves, freeing up a lot of space.In the hallway there, you can add combs, keys and other little things in the bathroom - shampoos, shower gels, deodorants, in the kitchen - spices, in the living room - the book.

only place where it is not recommended to install glass shelves - a children's room.The child may accidentally break the sturdy material or heavily hit the him.

In many modern apartments are very narrow window sills, so the glass shelf for flowers will be an excellent way to organize a green area with minimal space costs.Inside you can mount fluorescent lights and place the pots at different levels.

How to make glass shelf: User

If you look, there are only two ways of manufacturing glass shelves: buy at the store or order all the necessary components, leaving only gather them together and fasten in place.But the cost of such an undertaking is almost equivalent to the construction of the finished shopping, so we'll show you how to make the shelf "from scratch".

to work you need a good glass cutter and belt sander with abrasive grit sandpaper 120 units.These tools are best to rent if you are certainly not going to make regular glass shelves all friends or for sale.

To begin with, we offer to get acquainted with a short briefing on the use of glass cutter.It's pretty primitive, but very effective tool, which coincides with even the novice after 15 minutes of practice.The most important thing when working with it - make reliable and precise movement.In addition to the glass cutter (oil get better), you will need a long line.First, best practice on ordinary glass, and then proceed to finishing work.

Important: The basic rule when cutting glass - make one confident and strong enough movement.Re-cut the same path is not valid because it does not help, and the blade just goes to scratch the glass.

To cut the glass, it is necessary to identify the cutoff line marker, set along the line of her (she is the guide and the guide for glass cutter), hold her hand, and the other hand to hold a glass cutter along the marking with a confident but smooth pressure.This should be certainly on a perfectly flat surface, laid by a cloth.When you do cut glass cutter, cracked material at this point.Be sure to observe the safety precautions and work in a thick cloth gloves to avoid injury.Unfortunately, the above statement is not suitable for toughened glass, because of its extraordinary strength it can be cut only in special machine workshop.

When you get the desired workpiece dimensions, it is necessary to process a sharp edge, otherwise this would have to get round the ledge, so as not to get injured.Grinding is the most important stage of the work, requiring the utmost attention.To do this, you will need to belt sander.Of course, if you could not get it, you can manually process the edges, but this activity take much more time and effort.Carefully go over the edge of the glass so that they have become, if not perfectly round, but at least obtuse.

Important: During grinding regularly moisten the glass with cold water.It is necessary that the fine glass dust does not spread through the air.If it is inhaled, it settles in the lungs and remain there forever.For this reason, no harm will be to dress up in a good respirator.In addition, the water makes crystal clear edge.Of course, if you prefer matte surface, water can be used a little less.

Polishing should also be carried out on a flat surface, laid by a cloth, placing the glass so that the edge is processed only slightly protrude.

fastening methods

for fixing glass shelves using two elements: aluminum profile and special holders.Both of them are not inferior to each other in terms of reliability and functionality, the only difference is in the installation features.We look at each of the types of fixtures, so you can choose the most appropriate in your case.

By the way, the holders are absolutely universal, which means that they can install the glass of any thickness.This, perhaps, is their only advantage over aluminum profiles that should be selected according to the size of the shelf.However, if you want to make the glass shelf with light, you should choose the profile name because it is easy to fill LED tape so that it remains invisible and illuminates the glass from the inside.

Set holders is quite simple.They consist only of two parts: a base which is fixed to the wall and decorative stop.To separate them, you need to pull the base of the upper stop.Then, on the wall is necessary to designate the place for fastening, screw anchors (should come with the bracket) and secure them a base.

Important: For a single shelf, even if it will be easy things need at least 2 of the holder.Thus they should be installed so that the left edge to at least 5 cm. The number of the holders depends on the load on the shelf.Sometimes included are strong enough to go dowels, in this case, they can not hurt to replace the fasteners of suitable size.

Shelves backlit

It is time, finally, to talk about how to make a glass shelf with LED backlight.We already know that it is necessary to choose fastening aluminum profile.Suitable such shelf in the bathroom, the bedroom or the kitchen.

How to shelf:

1. Profile, selected in accordance with the thickness of the glass must be cut to the desired length, then cut burrs and slightly sanded edges.Otherwise not be able to insert the LED tape.
2. Drill holes in the profile and screw it to the pre-marked area on the wall.Use the screws and plastic plugs.First screw the screw at one end, then put the profile in accordance with the layout, but do not lock, and check its horizontal water level.Only then can you twist the remaining screws.
3. Install LED Strip.Usually, all profiles have a thin plastic insert, which serves as a protective barrier between the tape and aluminum and prevents circuit.To fill the tape in the profile, you need to be patient, especially if it ends closed.
4. When a tape is finished, we can only set the glass itself.Make sure that it has risen in profile most closely.To do this, it can be pressed in on their own, or slightly to knock a rubber mallet.

We hope you are convinced that make a stylish glass shelf is a snap.For interest Polyubopytstvuyte, how much is this beauty with lighting in the store.If you are still frightened by the prospect breathe dust and cut glass during the cutting shelves, you can trust all master glassmaker at low cost.And to cope with fastening anyone, for the benefit did not need any specific skills.

Shelves of glass with their hands: photo