Does this set of shelves i just built need additional support?

[Case]

Looking for advice on the subject question.  I built this thing today out of 2x4s, 2.5 in construction screws (several at every joint), and OSB.  I am using it for garage storage. It will carry a lot of weight, but I don’t know exactly how much I’ll put on it yet.  I would guess one of two hundred lbs per shelf.  A lot, but not a huge amount.

I could add additional supports to the shelves, if needed.  Is this thing solid or is there something missing in my design that should be there?

[daheld]

I'd add vertical support in the middle front section of all shelves including from the bottom shelf to the floor.  Otherwise it looks fine to me.

[nereo]

I don't think you need any additional support provided you only put a few hundred pounds on each shelf.  If you want to put seriously heavy objects on those shelves then you might add another 'leg' down the center as daheld suggested.

looks good - looks functional.

What's you've done is fairly similar to other garage-shelf builds that have 8' spans, including this one by Ana White
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTxRBckenI4

[J Boogie]

It might benefit from some bracing.

Also, anything over 100lbs might stress the lateral strength and cause screws to loosen. You could fasten a couple crossbars (they'll look like an X) on the back to brace it from side to side and then consider doing the same thing or just adding one "slash" on the sides if the front-to-back stability is questionable.

[Case]

It might benefit from some bracing.

Also, anything over 100lbs might stress the lateral strength and cause screws to loosen. You could fasten a couple crossbars (they'll look like an X) on the back to brace it from side to side and then consider doing the same thing or just adding one "slash" on the sides if the front-to-back stability is questionable.

Could the crossbar just be a 2x4?  And would it connect at the beams or the side beams?

[Case]

I'd add vertical support in the middle front section of all shelves including from the bottom shelf to the floor.  Otherwise it looks fine to me.

Sounds good.  I initially omitted to keep the shelf more accessible but it doesn’t get in the way at all to add that last vertical beam.

[Case]

I don't think you need any additional support provided you only put a few hundred pounds on each shelf.  If you want to put seriously heavy objects on those shelves then you might add another 'leg' down the center as daheld suggested.

looks good - looks functional.

What's you've done is fairly similar to other garage-shelf builds that have 8' spans, including this one by Ana White
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTxRBckenI4

I did indeed model this after a few of the ana white builds on the web.  It was also dirt-simple and didn’t take much planning.

I did omit securing it to the wall;  it is freestanding.  I know this is a little risky, but i didnt want to try drilling into the stone behind it, and i wont load all the heavy stuff on the top.

[Systems101]

Could the crossbar just be a 2x4?  And would it connect at the beams or the side beams?

Connect the back from one side to the other.  The goal is to effectively create triangles (strong) vs squares (weak to shear)

1x4 may work as well.

This IKEA demonstration shows the general gist or google "shelf cross brace" and you will get lots of pictures...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pi2OyG4HKU

[dragoncar]

Are you in earthquake country?  My gut tells me it’s not about the downward weight, but flexing at the joints.  If you expect an earthquake it would benefit from a sheer panel on the back and/or sides.  As others mentioned you could use a simple cross brace, but a panel is also dead easy to install if you don’t need an open back.  Think something fairly thin like you might see on store bought furniture

[Case]

Are you in earthquake country?  My gut tells me it’s not about the downward weight, but flexing at the joints.  If you expect an earthquake it would benefit from a sheer panel on the back and/or sides.  As others mentioned you could use a simple cross brace, but a panel is also dead easy to install if you don’t need an open back.  Think something fairly thin like you might see on store bought furniture

Ah, i see.  No, im not in earthquake country.  I’ll go for a cross brace or panel though.

[lthenderson]

Is this thing solid or is there something missing in my design that should be there?

Having built similar shelves before, you really need to add something for racking side to side and front to back. The front to back racking can be eliminated by simply fastening the top shelf to structure behind it. For the side to side, just get some metal banding from the local hardware store and make a big 'X' with it on the back screwing it into each vertical member. Much cheaper than adding an entire piece of plywood as someone else suggested. Also it was mentioned above to do it for earthquakes but I would do it just because you mentioned you will be putting heavy objects on it. Screws into pine don't provide a lot of protection against racking.