I'm building an entertainment console that measures 8 feet long and 20 inches wide. I plan to store about 300 vinyl records on the bottom and have a TV (weighing around 30 lbs) along with a record player on top. I will be using metal feet in the center for added support. My main question is whether I need to reinforce the top to prevent sagging, or if this weight is manageable without extra support. After receiving some input, I've decided to include a couple of boards as extra support in the middle. Just wanted to confirm my approach!
3 Answers
To give your console some extra strength, I would suggest adding dividers inside. This will not only make your vinyl records easier to organize, but they’ll also improve the overall stability of the structure. Even having two dividers for three sections along with a center support at the bottom should significantly help reduce sag over the 8-foot span.
Yes! Plywood can sag under its own weight, especially at that length. Definitely add those dividers!
If you’re providing full support on three sides (from the ends and back), you could consider using some bookends or similar items for the vinyl records that also function as supports for the top. Just a little extra touch to keep everything sturdy!
You’re definitely going to want additional support—spanning 8 feet with plywood is quite a stretch! You might want to check out some sag calculator tools to see how much support you really need.
Totally agree with you! One divider might not provide enough support, but two will definitely do the trick.