Safe Luxury

Building a Very Tall Bookcase -? How tall can i build and be safe?

We have a room in our house that is more of an office/study. It is not a huge room but the ceilings are quite high. I have always thought about a huge book case. Kinda like you see in movies where you need a ladder. (but not a whole wall). How tall can i built my book case without fearing it tip over, or is there a certain ratio where if i build it deep enough it will be okay. ok - dreaming i would have a 15' book case but how tall could i really realistically build it for a home to be safe not being a master finish carpenter?

Public Comments

1. Build it as tall as you wish, but screw it to the wall. Be sure to find your studs first, put your shelf where you want it, make your marks on the inside of the shelf where the studs align, drill your holes through the shelf, and run some screws long enough to go into the studs at least an inch and a half or so. Put about 4 to 6 screws in. Two high, two center, and two low. Use some beauty washers to avoid damaging the wood too much, and put the screw through them. That will keep your shelf from falling on your head and crunching your skull. If at some point you wish to move the shelf to another location, simply remove the screws, and do the same thing in the other location. Holes in the wall are easy to patch. Nad
2. You can make your book case as high as you want because you need to anchor it to the studs in the wall with screws. Remember if you build it on the floor it needs to be the width of the wood plus 2" shorter then the ceiling so when you stand it up the back will clear the ceiling and then you can put crown molding on top. (example 1x6 sides cut 8"shorter than ceiling)
3. Build it as tall as you like and anchor it to the wall so it won't tip over. If you need install a few spacers between the case and the wall to allow for the baseboard. Good Luck
4. Seems like everyone wants you anchor the book case to the wall but didn't tell you how. They make some angle brackets that look like an L but legs with equal lengths fasten one of these to the shelves on both sides. fasten them to the wall. Put them on the bottom of the shelves and try and hit as many studs as you can Put several of these brackets near the top. You don't need to anchor every shelf.
5. Give the 10 to nadvanoot. It's not only the first answer, but as good an answer as you need. ADD ON. For stability you should either attach a cross brace outside of the case; top and bottom perhaps; running it's width, then use the bracing to screw into studs. That also allows it to remain PLUMB when up against any possible cove base molding.
6. In fact all the answer given are pretty solid and should be adhere to for high book shelf. One more concern is the type of books for different levels and a book level catch need to be incorporate to prevent books from falling (not the shelf). Big heavy books are always at the lowest level if possible and convenience. Rules are to be laid to children using them to prevent mishaps. Good Luck!
7. Safest and only answer screw it to the wall studs,one more important thing I didn't see mentioned,measure all the thicknesses your screwing through screws should go into the studs at least 11/2 inches or more if they are just grabbing you might pull the bookcase over. I have consructed a lot of shelving units in a commercial application.
8. Even a short bookcase can tip over if not properly built, filled and set in place. But the best way of course, would be to get 2 "L" shaped brackets from the hardware store, and attach them to the bookcase and then the walls. Depending on your type of wall you may need a special type of screw to hold the bracket, unless you have a 2x4 stud just where the screws will attach. You may need a "toggle bolt" this anchor is designed to open itself behind drywall or hollow doors for a secure hold. It can also be used in solid materials. You can find them at most home center stores or go to: http://www.boltdepot.com/anchoring-products.aspx