Metal & Wood Shelves

Benefits

There are certain benefits to choosing shelves for storage purposes instead of other units. One clear benefit is accessibility. With a shelf, there is no need to open a door or pull out a drawer. Objects on shelves can be easily grabbed and then used as needed. Conversely, another benefit is actually the lack of accessibility to small children. If the shelves are placed high enough, it will prevent young children from reaching collectibles on display and potentially breaking or destroying them. Parents will want to consider this benefit when determining whether to use shelves in a home's common areas, such as a living room. One more benefit to shelves is the ability to prominently display items of value. There are other manners of storing valuables, but if the intention is to allow visitors to see collectibles or awards, shelves are a preferred storage option.

According to Rockler.com, woodworking projects can be started with only few tools and no need for a tremendous amount of workspace. This is an advantage for the aspiring handyman who is looking to put up some new shelves. It allows the opportunity to tackle this task, but without requiring the major expenses which come with high-tech tools. Anyone can go to a hardware store and purchase sandpaper and varnish to finish a wood shelving project. Wood shelves can be used to aid in home décor. The actual type of wood which comprises the shelving units can be matched with wood molding to help accent it. An interior decorator will use wood shelves in this manner to tie elements of a room together.

Metal shelves may not be as customizable as wooden ones, but they make up for this by offering durability. Shelving Ideas says that moisture can seep into wood shelves and cause them to rot. This is not a concern with metal shelves, though, and is something a consumer must consider when deciding which kind of shelves to buy. Metal shelves are constructed from a variety of metals. Shelves which are made from aluminum are lightweight and practical for domestic purposes. Industrial steel shelving units are able to remain standing, sometimes even after being hit by a forklift. Aside from structural advantages, metal shelves can actually be more affordable than the wooden variety. The production of metal shelving units is cheaper than wood and this needs to be taken into consideration when looking to buy shelves for the home.

Shelving Ideas says that moisture can seep into wood shelves and cause them to rot. Along the same line, a spilled beverage is more difficult to clean from a wooden surface than a metal one. With metal shelves, a damp cloth or paper towel can easily pick up liquid. Spilled juice or soda on a wooden shelf can become sticky. And unlike metal shelves, wooden ones are subject to potentially warp in humid climates.

Metal shelves are great for industrial purposes. They are durable and perform their function well. With the matter of form, though, wood shelves are more likely to be the choice of homeowners. Metal shelves do not offer the same level of warmth and comfort to a room as their wooden counterparts. This aesthetic disadvantage is not as important in a shop or work facility, but a homeowner will have to consider it when choosing shelves for the home.