Shelves and bookcases of various kinds can be found in stores and specialty shops. It is not surprising to know that many people are undecided on what shelf to buy since they are not very sure what will better suit their purpose. Let us analyze the differences between wooden and glass shelves and what makes one a more appropriate choice than the other.
Wood Shelves
In reality, nearly every wood shelf in the market is not made of solid wood but is composed of a center structure of plywood, occasionally referred to as “engineered wood”, or of lesser quality wood. A coat of paint, or a sheet of veneer, or whatever wood finish is available, completes the construction. These plywood shelves cost a lot less than those made of real solid wood. The former are also less heavy, sturdier, and more environment-friendly since they are constructed using recycled materials and as such trees are spared. The veneer provides the most realistic real wood look when expertly placed.
There is no doubt, however, that even the most good-looking veneer wood shelf is different from the real thing. The most enthralling hues of wood can only be seen on real wood shelves, and they definitely cost a lot more.
Glass Shelves
Not all glass shelves are created equal, just as in the case of wood shelves. The make of the glass must be determined before buying a glass shelf. Some types of glass easily break or sustain a chip, and many of them shatter into pieces when thrown to the floor. The case is not the same with tempered glass, which is a lot more resistant to shattering and chipping. Heat strengthening renders more resilient than annealed or regular glass and twice as hardy as well.
Another deciding factor in buying glass shelves would be the thickness of the glass. Thickness greatly influences the strength of glass: a tempered but thin glass is more likely to shatter than a nontempered thick glass. The consumer should look for certification that details the amount of weight that a particular glass shelf can sustain.
When one is better than the other
Having discussed some basic facts about glass and wood shelves, one can now decide which one is better suited to his needs. The following issues should thus be considered:
1. What are the things that are going to be put inside the shelves?
The buyer would not want to put heavy and bulky items such as books inside glass shelves. The more sensible choice in this case would be wood shelves. One can put anything on a wood shelf without having to worry that it will break; the same thing cannot be said of glass shelves.
2. Where will the shelves be placed in the house?
To cite an example, a glass shelf is more appropriate for use in the kitchen as it would be easier to wipe off grease from glass as opposed to wood. Wood does not hold up well against abrasive cleaning agents, while glass can tolerate them pretty well. Wood and glass have different reactions towards bathroom moisture and residue. Wood looks rustic exudes a particular sense of warmth and may be better placed in the living room area. Glass shelves, on the other hand, tend to be more contemporary, but cold.
3. Who are going to open the shelves?
The presence of children in the house should be taken into consideration. A glass shelf is likely to break by accidentally bumping on them, and the shards are bound to hurt the person who knocked the shelf down almost immediately.
4. What sort of light will be used to illuminate the shelf?
A well-position light source enables one to visualize and appreciate the items that are placed inside the shelves. In the case of books, one just has to illuminate the spines; with trinkets and other daintier items that are meant to be showcased, they look a lot better inside glass shelves.
Glass Shelving Characteristics
While the bathroom has always been the most popular area, displaying glass shelves in many other areas in the house is becoming more popular. Glass and metal are the common favored materials in contemporary interior designs. Shelves not only serve as storage unit; they are also needed to showcase art pieces and other similar collection. The market is filled with shelves of every design imaginable; the consumer is sure to find a suitable style to fit any part of his house.
The shelves may be designed as stand-alone pieces that can be attached to walls, or they may be a component of a set of furniture. Whatever their forms are, shelves can be both pretty and useful.
Durability
Most of the commercially available glass shelves are sturdy, since they are made of tempered glass increasing shelf strength and decreasing predisposition to cracking. A glass sheet that is tempered is greenish in color and has a thickness of at least 0.25 inches. Glass shelves serve their purpose well, though they are not strong as their wooden or metal counterparts.
Styles
A style that is currently gaining immense popularity is the floating design. Floating glass shelves give the illusion that they have no attachments whatsoever. In reality, these shelves are fixed to the wall via a tongue and groove system. This unique design makes these shelves almost like a part of the entire architecture of the house, as if they are actual wall components.
The floating system can take on various configurations and can hold a wide variety of things ranging from books and pieces of artworks to complex entertainment and home theatre series.
A new dimension in storage system is offered by the floating glass shelf units. These systems can assume any dimensions and can be arranged in almost every manner that the buyer desires because these units are attached to the walls independent of one another. Installation is very simple to do. All it takes is knowledge of the basic hand tools to do this on one's own. Alternatively, help in installation can be sought from the stores as part of their customer support.
Price
The cost of floating glass shelves are does not vary much from the metal and wood varieties. It depends on the style of the unit as well as the function which it is originally made to serve. The price increases when designs are prettier and more ornate.
