Can IKEA furniture be reliably reinforced?

Question

I really want to get the Expedit TV cabinet, which can be found on IKEA's web site. This would be a perfect fit for my apartment and storage/media needs. The only problem is, after contacting IKEA, their product specifications state that the shelf is only able to support a TV up to 100 pounds in weight. My TV is 120 pounds. Does anyone know if this 20 pound differential would truly be a problem? If so, is it possible to reinforce the entertainment center in such a way to make the extra weight not a problem? How?

Thanks,
Sam

Answer 1

You can always reinforce a cabinet by gluing blocks in the corners (where the right angle joints are), by putting in a doubled shelf or gluing a stiffening rib down the underside of a shelf, and the like. Your TV no doubt is a stiff rectangle, without a lot of bend in the middle, so it's really the edges that get the strain, near where they are attached to the upright sides. If a 120 pound person sat on the middle of the shelf, that would be a lot different. so if you reinforce those side joints, and make sure your cabinet has a back or some kind of bracing so it doesn't wobble side to side, you should be OK.

20% is not that much more, and a little reinforcing should be worth a try.

After looking at the cabinet's picture, I can see that you will need diagonal bracing for the whole shelving unit, or you need to attach it to a wall with brackets. Doubling the shelf would be a good idea, and screw and glue the two shelves together so that they are one piece. then 1x1 rectangular or triangular blocks between the underside shelf edges and the sides, glued and fastened tight with screws.

Answer 2

I'm not a furniture maker, so what I would do is build 3 oak boxes to fit tightly into the compartment below the tv, lined up side by side to support the shelf. Then I think I would put 2X4 cross-braces across the back, to keep the thing from folding in on itself. I have found that with this type of furniture unit, the sides and shelves bend after a while even if you don't overload.

Answer 3

Home Depot and similar have angle iron. You don't need the big ugly pieces, they have smaller sizes like 1/2" to 3/8" on the sides. It'll come with holes already through it. Cut them to length with a hacksaw and screw them under the shelf to reinforce it.

If this material will be visible, spray paint the facing edge before installing with a matching color.

Answer 4

yes, it will be a problem. even tho they probably have a saftey margin of 10 lb. worked into the equation, your tv is still too heavy and after a couple months youll get that ugly sag in the middle of the shelf. my advice would be to cut a 2x4 to fit under the shelf at the rear of the shelf. lay it horizontally under the shelf. then ,using 1 1/4 inch diameter wood dowelling cut a piece of the right length so that it can be inserted vertically under the centre of the horizontal 2x4 and so that it rests on the next lowest shelf with a snug fit. then under this lower shelf, cut another section of dowelling to fit vertically between it and the next lowest shelf, or the floor, whichever comes next. this way you have a continuous support pole from the tv shelf to the floor. (put a block of 2x4 under the dowel where it sits on the floor)

keep in mind that you need support in the MIDDLE of the shelf, not the sides

Answer 5

Specifications are made by repeated test and liability. Most likely it will hold it, especially if it is placed there and not moved, they just won't be responsible for it.

Just like a warranty will say for 30 days, doesn't mean the item will fail in exactly 30 days, depends on how it used and maintained.

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

Forcing someone to watch One Direction on VEVO is torture.