I just built my first shelf using elm wood and I'm a bit concerned about placing it above a radiator in my hallway. I love the brass art deco brackets I've got, but I've read that the heat could cause warping or cracking. Before I mount it, I wanted to know if anyone has experience with this. I considered using heat reflective sheeting on the underside of the shelf—has anyone tried that? Any tips would be appreciated!
2 Answers
It sounds like you might be okay! If you've let the wood acclimate to your home's humidity and temperature before making the shelf, that should help. Just to be safe, try attaching it with only one screw on each bracket at first. This way, it can adjust to the heat and you can see if it warps or twists before fully securing it down. Good luck!
If your wood is kiln dried and you've finished it on all sides, that should help reduce warping. But remember, with wood, there are no guarantees, so just watch it closely after you mount it!
Thanks for the tip! It has been indoors for a couple weeks after cutting and sanding, so I’m hoping that’s good enough.
Yeah, that’s a smart move! Keeping it loose at first will really help you gauge how it behaves over the next couple of days. Just keep an eye on it!