Shelving is a necessity in houses. They are there to provide storage for items you may not use very often. Adding a shelf to a wall in a bedroom or living room opens up space to place books, knickknacks, and decorations.
When it comes to installing shelves, there are two commonly used materials: wood or wire. Each has their benefits and downfalls, depending on where you are putting them.
So, which do you use? Let’s take a look at the differences between wooden and wire shelving to help you decide.
Wooden Shelving
When it comes to wooden shelving, one thing they are known for is being durable. Different types of woods do withstand the test of time and the pressure of the additional weight better than others. However, for the most part, you’re likely to have a shelf that can hold a reasonable amount of weight and be usable for quite some time.
Wood shelving is a timeless addition to any house. Wood has always been, and likely will always be in style. It can be elegant and classic, or bold and modern. It all depends on how you build with it and if you paint or stain it. The options for designing a wooden shelf are almost endless.
One thing unique to wooden shelving is that you can refurbish it to look however you want. Because of how long wood will last for, you can take a shelf that is decades old, give it a quick facelift, and it will look like brand-new.
With all of this said, however, there still are a few downfalls to a wooden shelf. First of all, wood does not withstand the elements of the outdoors very well or absorbing too much moisture. You can add a coating to help protect against this, but that means an additional cost to you. Too much moisture and the wood will bow, crack, and even rot.
Wire Shelving
The other type of shelving commonly used is wire shelving. Wire shelves are relatively easy to come by, and typically quite affordable. You can go to your local department store, and chances are they will have some wire shelving available. How readily available they are, make them a popular choice.
Wire shelves can be put together in multiple different ways. Unlike with wood shelving in which you would have to tear it apart to adjust it, you can reconfigure wire shelving quite easily. This makes them a versatile option to smoothly go into any space you need it.
A wire shelf is also fairly easy to maintain. They will get dusty over time that requires a quick wipe down. However, you usually do not have to worry about scuffs, dents, and having to add a fresh coat of stain to it.
The downfall to wire shelving, however, is they typically are not as durable as wood shelves. They can be quite flimsy and buckle under the weight of the items it’s supporting. Also, the wires will leave gaps which means small items would fall right through.
When it comes down to which do you choose – wire or wood – it is a personal preference. If you are looking for something quick and easy that will get moved around a lot, a wire shelf will work best. However, if you want a timeless and classic look that can withstand a lot of weight, wood shelves would be the option for you.
