Shelf spacing optimum distance?

[ebinmaine 67,500]

We'll be installing LIGHT DUTY wooden shelves in the new workshop space soon. 

 

How far apart VERTICALLY do you have your storage shelves?

And why?

 

I'm thinking of a variable setup with most being either 20" or 15".

 

The distance is center to center with a 3/4 thick shelf so say 19"+ and 14"+.

 

 

Thoughts comments questions suggestions? 

 

 

[rmaynard 15,459]

I found that the minimum space should be no less than 2" more than a large jug of oil or anti-freeze.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,318]

Are you going to use plastic totes on the shelving? Measure height of those and add a couple inches. 

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

2 minutes ago, Sparky said:

Are you going to use plastic totes on the shelving? Measure height of those and add a couple inches. 

Always a good idea to keep critters out. 

[ebinmaine 67,500]

1 minute ago, Sparky said:

Are you going to use plastic totes on the shelving? Measure height of those and add a couple inches. 

 

 

Not on these particular shelves. All loose stuff storage. 

 

They'll be only 8" deep on a 2 x 6 stud wall. 

 

Excellent point though.  

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,500]

Just now, stevebo said:

Always a good idea to keep critters out. 

 

Definitely helps.  

Most of our camping gear is stored in totes. 

[953 nut 55,229]

I like 18" on center for general stuff shelving. I use gallon paint cans to store small stuff, no critter get in and small enough that they don't become a catch-all.

[ri702bill 8,321]

Staggered height - 20 at the bottom, then 16, then 12 ???

[formariz 11,987]

I always found that today’s preferred distances will change in future due to different needs. That is the reason why I always use heavy duty adjustable Garcy standards. Pricey but unlimited adjustability with actual standards and brackets taking a minimal amount of space. 

[ebinmaine 67,500]

25 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Staggered height - 20 at the bottom, then 16, then 12 ???

 

Here's my current thought process: 

 

The Pole Barn floor is roughly 2" lower at the front. 

The upper beam is level. 

The floor to beam distance is 84 3/4 at the back. The shortest usable distance. 

 

 

Using an available spacing of 84"...

 

24"+  from floor so larger items can be stored. Engines,  transmissions, boxes of materials etc. 

 

60" usable with lowest shelf at very bottom. (24" off floor)

 

 

Shelf distances,

Every other stud set:

 

3 shelves starting at 20" from TOP. 

20", 40", 60" down from top. 

Window pockets are 19.5" from TOP. 

(Shelves beside windows could be fastened to bottom of window frame and set at 19.5")

 

Or:

4 shelves at 15", 30", 45", 60" from TOP. 

 

 

 

 

[CCW 1,295]

A concrete floor is like a sponge if you have damp conditions.  I would want any transmission or engine siting on something to help keep the underside dry.

 

[ebinmaine 67,500]

10 minutes ago, formariz said:

I always found that today’s preferred distances will change in future due to different needs

 

Definitely agreed. 

We've found that many times here over the last few years. 

 

I'd like to have adjustment here n there but these shelves are being made of leftovers from the barn siding. 

 

That's why I'm trying to get a reasonable distance with some good variability.  

 

I'd rather have 1 less shelf per vertical space than have extra shelves that aren't right. 

 

 

[CCW 1,295]

Other thought is one shelf should be at least notebook high plus an inch or two.

[ebinmaine 67,500]

Just now, CCW said:

A concrete floor is like a sponge if you have damp conditions.  I would want any transmission or engine siting on something to help keep the underside dry.

 

 

True. 

Ours are stored on small wheeled dollies. Highly advised. 

[WHX?? 48,815]

Shelving is like a horse barn ... never big enough or have too many....

[oliver2-44 9,751]

Spacing them all at 20" or even 15" seems to waste some space.

I find a 20" bottom, then 1a 14 or 15, and the rest 12.  As you get higher, your not putting anything super heavy on its.. Especially with only 8" wide shelves.  

I have 2 8ft high shelf cabinets.  One has 14" and the other 16" wide shelves.  They work great. 

[ri702bill 8,321]

5 hours ago, CCW said:

A concrete floor is like a sponge if you have damp conditions.  I would want any transmission or engine siting on something to help keep the underside dry.

 

OR - wrapped tightly in plastic, with a rust inhibitor inside the bag..........

[ebinmaine 67,500]

Well folks here's what we did today. 

3 sets out of 20. 

 

These are 15" spacing, starting from the top down. 

 

 

 

 

[ri702bill 8,321]

Good - the blocking allows for removal to "adjust" the spacing.....

[ebinmaine 67,500]

48 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Good - the blocking allows for removal to "adjust" the spacing.....

 

Absolutely. 

 

Our workshops have been a variable  space as needed for years.