Choosing the Right Bracket for Your Floating Shelves: A Detailed Installation Guide

Floating shelves are an excellent addition to any room, offering both functionality and style. To ensure your floating shelves are securely mounted and have a clean, minimalist look, choosing the right bracket is crucial. In this blog, we’ll explore three different types of brackets you can use to install floating shelves with hidden mounting hardware. We’ll also provide detailed installation instructions for each type.

1. Hovr Bracket System (Used by Hardtwood)

At Hardtwood Custom Woodworks, we use the Hovr Bracket System for our floating shelves. This system provides superior strength and durability while maintaining a sleek, floating appearance with no visible hardware. It is a favorite choice among contractors due to its seamless ease of installation and its superior strength, making it the ideal solution for heavy-duty shelving applications. The Hovr system can hold significant weight, making it perfect for shelves that will support heavy objects such as books, plants, or kitchenware.

Why Choose the Hovr Bracket System?

• Strength: The Hovr Bracket System offers high load-bearing capacity, ensuring your shelf remains sturdy even under heavy loads.
• Hidden Design: The bracket is entirely hidden once installed, giving the shelf a clean, modern floating look.
• Contractor’s Favorite: Contractors love the Hovr system for its seamless installation process and exceptional strength, making it a go-to choice for professional projects.
• Ease of Installation: When you order a floating shelf from Hardtwood with the bracket installed option, the initial installation steps are completed for you. Hardtwood performs steps 1, 2, and 3, leaving the final mounting to the wall as the customer’s only task.

Installation Process

Here’s a step-by-step guide to mounting your floating shelf using the Hovr Bracket System after Hardtwood has installed the bracket into the shelf:

What You’ll Need:

• A power drill
• Level
• Tape measure
• Screws (provided with the Hovr Bracket System)
• Stud finder
• Screwdriver

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preparing the Male Bracket (performed by Hardtwood ): Hardtwood routes the channel, attaches the female bracket to the shelf, and drills the necessary set screw holes. When your shelf arrives, the Hovr bracket will already be installed.
2. Attach the Male Bracket to the Wall: Use the provided #8 2½” pan head screws to attach the male bracket to the wall. Begin by drilling one screw through the top hole but leave it slightly loose. Use a level to ensure the bracket is straight, then drill the second screw into another stud. Once leveled, tighten both screws. Drill the remaining screws into the studs, ensuring the bracket is secure but not over-tightened to avoid bending the bracket.
3. Mount the Shelf: Tilt the shelf downward at a 15° angle and engage the female bracket with the male bracket. Slowly tilt the shelf upward, aligning the brackets as you push them together. When the grooves interlock, the shelf should snap securely into place.
4. Secure the Brackets: Insert the set screws (which Hardtwood has pre-drilled and tapped) into the bottom of the female bracket. Tighten them with the provided hex key until the shelf is securely locked in place. For extra security, you can use epoxy glue alongside the set screws to create a more permanent installation.
5. Final Check: Apply 2-3 solid taps to the back of the shelf to ensure the brackets are fully engaged. Check that the shelf is level and stable.

2. Sheppard Brackets

Another strong option for mounting floating shelves is the Sheppard Bracket System. Known for their heavy-duty design and high load-bearing capacity, Sheppard brackets provide a sturdy and durable solution for your shelving needs. These brackets are designed to remain completely hidden, giving your shelves a seamless floating appearance.

Why Choose Sheppard Brackets?

• Durability: Sheppard brackets are designed for heavy-duty use, capable of holding substantial weight.
• Invisible Hardware: Just like the Hovr system, Sheppard brackets are designed to be hidden, making your shelves appear as though they’re floating with no visible support.
• Adaptability: Sheppard Brackets can be used for a variety of shelf sizes and thicknesses, giving you flexibility in your design.

Installation Process

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Drill: If you purchased the drilling plate, center it on the back of your shelf and secure it using the included screws. Drill 3” deep using the 13/16” or 9/16” Wood Owl drill bit. If using the free drill guide, follow the layout and drilling instructions provided with the bracket.
2. Route: Use a router to route out 1/4” from the back of your shelf. This creates space for the bracket to fit properly. Use the router template for precise alignment.
3. Mount: Find your wall studs, then mount the bracket to the wall with screws. Slide the shelf over the bracket until it is flush with the wall.

3. Floating Shelf Pins

For a more minimalist approach, floating shelf pins offer an affordable and effective solution for mounting smaller, lightweight shelves. These pins, often referred to as invisible or concealed brackets, are designed to support thinner shelves with a streamlined, hidden design. They are best suited for shelves that will hold lighter items, such as decor or small plants.

Why Choose Floating Shelf Pins?

• Cost-Effective: Floating shelf pins are typically more affordable than full bracket systems, making them an excellent choice for budget-conscious projects.
• Minimalist Design: The pins are completely hidden once installed, giving the shelf a clean, floating look.
• Easy Installation: These pins are quick to install and require minimal tools, making them a great option for DIY enthusiasts.

Installation Process

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Find the Studs or Use Wall Plugs: Use a stud finder to locate the studs in your wall. For smaller shelves, wall plugs may suffice if you can't find studs in the exact location you need.
2. Mark the Position for the Pins: Use a level and tape measure to mark the exact placement of the pins on the wall. Make sure the marks are evenly spaced and level to avoid a tilted shelf.
3. Drill Holes for the Pins: Pre-drill small holes into the wall at the marked locations. If using wall plugs, insert them into the holes before attaching the pins.
4. Insert the Pins: Screw the floating shelf pins into the pre-drilled holes or wall plugs. Make sure the pins are level and firmly in place.
5. Mount the Shelf: Gently slide the shelf onto the pins, ensuring that the holes in the back of the shelf align with the pins. Push the shelf in place until it is securely mounted.
6. Check Stability: Test the stability of the shelf by placing a few items on it. Ensure it remains level and securely mounted.

FAQ

What are the strongest floating shelf brackets?

The Hovr Bracket System is considered one of the strongest floating shelf brackets available. With its high load-bearing capacity and hidden design, it's ideal for supporting heavy objects and is a favorite among contractors for its ease of installation and durability. The system can hold significant weight, making it perfect for both residential and commercial use.