How to strengthen microwave shelf base?

ralphvincentpan

Hi guys, I just wanted to seek advice on how to strengthen a cabinet shelf so I can place a microwave over it? I'm just worried that overtime the plain shelf might shrink in the middle. With regards to the back wall, there's a gap against the wall so putting a bracket at the back might be challenging. Thanks in advance!

JacobZ

Hi @ralphvincentpan,

I don't actually think you'll have any issues with the shelf sagging, because the weight will be well distributed across the majority of the width of the shelf. If all of the weight of the microwave was in the direct centre of the shelf, you might have issues over time, but because it is well spread out, I don't think you'll have a problem.

With this being said, it can't hurt to reinforce your shelf. If you'd like to, there are two simple additions I would make. 

Firstly, I would grab some Taskmaster 5mm Pin Clear Plastic Shelf Supports and install 2 extra on each side of the shelf. 

 

You would just need to drill some shallow holes in the sidewalls of the cabinet with a 5mm drill bit to insert the supports into. Use some painter's tape wrapped around the drill bit to act as a depth gauge to ensure you don't drill through the back of the cabinet.

The next thing you can do is grab some 42 x 42mm General Purpose Pine, cut two pieces to the width of the shelf and screw them to the underside of the shelf with some 50mm screws. These timbers will help to distribute the load away from the centre of the shelf to reduce the potential for sagging.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob