Glass Shelving

Practical glass shelves

Glass shelving can be used for practical display or just for architectural element. Shelves offer functional storage systems for the interior of the home but have many practical exterior applications too. Glass shelving can be floating wall shelves, which appears to have no fixtures or fixings holding the glass to the wall. This glass is specially made and has a number of flanges along two of the edges. The wall is prepared by using a template to mark and make indents for these flanges. The flanges are submerged (and glued) into the wall and are not visible afterwards. If the glass is to bear a heavy load then a support plate may need to be embedded in the wall. The glass shelf, when mounted, appears to be floating on the wall without any sign of frames or hardware. Tempered glass (3/8" is ideal) must be used for shelves to enable them to be use as book shelves, art displays or wall units.

Bathroom and shower shelves

Because glass can be cleaned easily and is immune to water damage it is frequently used in bathrooms, showers and wet rooms. Extra attachments can be added and rectangular shelves with chrome towel hangers attached underneath are available. A typical size is 8" deep by 24" wide with two 18" towel rails on the underside. A strong linear bracket should be used to maximize the holding strength without spoiling the simplicity, eloquence and decor of the glass shelf. A miniature glass corner shelf can be fitted into the shower as a soap or shampoo holder.

Glass shelves for corners

There is a lot of glass décor choice available and installation in the corner of the room is quite easy because of the double wall support offered. Corners can be empty, ignored, spaces which just beg for corner shelves which will transform and redefine the room. Square shelves are available in different sizes and fit easily into unused corners of your room (perhaps above a television) where you can display graduation or wedding photos in neat frames.

Triangle glass shelves

Corner glass shelf

Even neater are glass triangle shelves which tuck right in without leaving a glass corner facing into the room. These are ideal for displaying small collector items such as thimbles, egg cups or small figurines.

Glass triangle corner shelves with curves

Very similar to the triangle are the curves which are triangles but with a front edge curved rather than straight as the triangle is. They can accommodate and support a pot plant quite easily.

Glass shelves brackets

Stronger glass shelving

A shelf's purpose is to hold items using the wall for support but sometimes the shelf will need to be strengthened. A strong linear bracket will provide maximum holding power without detracting from the simplicity and eloquence of the shelf. Glass shelving systems needing to hold heavy items are supported by using strong steel cables suspended from the ceiling or wall.

Glass shelves display

With glass shelving you can create your own design. Many items can be supported on glass fixtures and when visiting my friend recently I noticed that she has her new flat screen television sitting on a very neat wall mounted glass display shelf. The shelf was secured in place by two discrete shelving brackets.

Glass shelves wall mounted

Although some self assembly is involved with glass shelving Walmart do have a good selection of cheap shelving available (in various sizes) and some of them start for as little as $12.