LP storage - Ikea Expedit

Posted by: Dreadatthecontrols on 03 January 2015

I am in the process of converting a bedroom into a LP library. I have been looking at storage solutions for LP's and have seen online some people recommending Ikea's Expedit/Kallax range of shelving units. They are certainly the most inexpensive option I have seen. Does anyone on these forums have any experience of these units?

Posted on: 04 January 2015 by bicela

RaceTripper, thanks, you're great!

Posted on: 04 January 2015 by naim_nymph

Originally Posted by winkyincanada:

Originally Posted by Happy Listener:

Race Tripper - how have you/what you have used to back-stop the shelves?

I've got the black/brown finish and am concerned the laminate will scratch (although it looks more than adequate) and it would be good to retain the option to switch the room facing side, without seeing drill holes etc.

I can't quite imagine how you would achive the backstop function without attaching anything. I guess you could screw the backstops to the wall behind?

A few years ago we used 'self adhesive mini trunking'

i purchased mine from Wickes, they still sell it,

currently costs £6.60 for 6 x 2m lengths.

Posted on: 04 January 2015 by RaceTripper

Originally Posted by winkyincanada:

Originally Posted by Happy Listener:

Race Tripper - how have you/what you have used to back-stop the shelves?

I can't quite imagine how you would achive the backstop function without attaching anything. I guess you could screw the backstops to the wall behind?

I am thinking about securing strips of wood (or similar) across the back of the unit, at each shelf level, or maybe even a complete covering for the back. Then the moulding strips will just slip into the backs of each shelf – and stopped by the backing – to act as a spacer. It's exactly what I had with the shelves I had before the Expedits.

Posted on: 05 January 2015 by Dreadatthecontrols

I have found that there are some videos of construction of Expedit/Kallax on you tube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbQe1ohzEZY

I am wondering if it would be better in terms of rigidity and strength to use several smaller (4 cube) square or the 4 square horizontal and stack them. This way where the units are stacked the load will be spread across two panels in thickness at its interface and should be more resistant to flexing.

Posted on: 05 January 2015 by Dreadatthecontrols

Originally Posted by RaceTripper:

Originally Posted by winkyincanada:

If I had to use one of these weet-a-bix and plastic wrap shelving units, I'd sheet the whole back of it with fairly thick (same thickness as the room's skirting boards) plywood to strengthen the whole thing, as well as provide a backstop to allow the records to be easily aligned and kept neat. I'd leave a gap at the bottom to clear the skirting board so the plywood backing could sit hard against the wall. Then screw through the plywood into the studs in several places in the wall behind to permanently fix the whole thing.

I have a 5x5 and three 5x1 units standing together. I use backstops on the shelves to keep the records neatly aligned at the front. They have not required anything else to brace or strengthen the structure. I've had them now for several years. As you can see they have a full load.

looks great Race Tripper, and similar to what I would like. Have you actually tried any of the Kallax units yet? I am a bit concerned as Happy Listener reports above that the Kallax does not use the metal pin and cam fixing and relies just on wooden dowels.

Does the fact that the units are fully loaded with records contribute to its rigidity do you think?

Posted on: 05 January 2015 by Dreadatthecontrols

Alternatively, has anyone used these cubes from Blacka Acoustics?

http://www.blackaacoustics.co.uk/cubes.htm

Posted on: 05 January 2015 by RaceTripper

Originally Posted by Richard 2000:

Does the fact that the units are fully loaded with records contribute to its rigidity do you think?

I have not seen any of the Kallax units yet.

I guess the rigidity might be helped by the shelves being packed, although they have been packed very loosely in the past and I never had any problems with them swaying in any way. What I would avoid doing is loading top shelves before bottom shelves.

Posted on: 05 January 2015 by av in bc

i have these from ikea and i like that the storage compartments

are taller than the expedit easier to access. also made with thicker sides so

they take up more space. i also do like them on the floor, great for browsing.

(sorry if the images are the wrong size, i don't know to fix that.)

Posted on: 06 January 2015 by Dreadatthecontrols

Originally Posted by av in bc:

i have these from ikea and i like that the storage compartments

are taller than the expedit easier to access. also made with thicker sides so

they take up more space. i also do like them on the floor, great for browsing.

(sorry if the images are the wrong size, i don't know to fix that.)

Thanks av

which units are you using, Expedit, Kallax or some other?

Posted on: 06 January 2015 by Dreadatthecontrols

Whatever I end up deciding to use, they are going to be in an upstairs room in a 200 year old cottage. I have raised the floorboards and joists seem ok but I have replaced floorboards with some new thicker boards which has made the floor seem more solid and reduced the springiness.

Does anyone know what kind of weight load a suspended wooden floor can take?

Posted on: 06 January 2015 by fatcat

Richard

If it's positioned so it's parallel to the floorboards there won't be a problem, the weight will be supported by a number of joists.

However, it's parallel to the joists. one joist will be taking most of the strain.

Posted on: 06 January 2015 by av in bc

Hi Richard

The ones in my photo are the "Lack" model.

There are two units side-by-side here. there is also a double wide

but it's not as sturdy for records.

also the feet on them are added after.

Posted on: 06 January 2015 by Loki

Habitat Kuda (oak) for me.