Brick Apartment Walls: Shelf Installation

An apartment with brick walls can pose quite a decorating dilemma. With being unable to paint and not wanting to cover up the uniqueness of the wall, you might consider installing shelves into the brick. Below is an explanation of how to install shelves into a brick wall.

Measure Away

The first, and most important, aspect of hanging shelves on a brick wall is to know the exact size of the shelving that you want to use. Measure the height and length of the wall, but also measure the size of the wall that you have to work with. Most likely you will not want the shelves to extend to the exact edges of the wall. Therefore, determine where you want the shelves to be located and write down those measurements.

Do not overlook the need to measure for the appropriate depth of the shelves. You may not be able to have very deep shelves without them getting in the way of your walking space. Therefore, estimate how deep you want your shelves to be to narrow your choices when you begin to shop.

Determine What You Want

Next, determine the material of the shelves that you want: metal or wood. Both can be installed on a brick wall, but will require different anchors and mounting supplies. Additionally, both create a different ambiance that may or may not fit with your decorating scheme.

Determining which material you want for your shelves is most important for the thickness and depth of the shelf. While you can mount shelves of different depth on your walls, you must organize that plan to ensure that it will look good.

Visit Your Shelving Store

After identifying what you want in shelves, visit your local hardware or home decorating store to purchase the shelves you want. Carefully read the instructions on the back of the shelves to make sure that the shelves can be mounted safely onto a brick wall.

If you plan on using unfinished wood, such as plywood or other wood, for your shelves, discuss with the store professionals which wood will work well with the mounting materials required to hang it on a brick wall.

Purchase the Mounting Materials

Hanging something on a brick wall requires a special drill bit, screws and L-brackets. These materials will be made with stronger metals to withstand the resistance of the brick. Additionally, you may need brick wall anchors to hold any screws in place.

To hang shelves on a brick wall you will need a drill and a concrete or brick drill bit. Other types of drill bits will break when used on a brick wall. Speak with the store’s professionals about what you will need to drill into brick to hang the shelves.

Hang the Shelves

The final step is to hang the shelves on your wall. This will require you to measure, mark and then drill the holds for the L-brackets or other support structures that will be attached to the brick. After this, you will be able to attach the shelves.