Racks in the cellar

In a well-equipped cellar, there will definitely be a place for convenient shelving. They can store blanks in jars or boxes with freshly picked vegetables and fruits. Durable and comfortable shelves for the cellar can be bought or made by hand.

Regardless of the size of the basement, the racks that are located in it must meet the main requirements and be:

• roomy;
• reliable and stable;
• protected from negative environmental influences.

When arranging a cellar, it is very important to think over its layout correctly. In this case, the owners will be able to place all the necessary products there and save enough space for free movement between the shelves. The distance between the shelves is determined depending on the preferences of the owners.

Usually, separate racks are allocated for storing vegetables. The rest are intended for cans with conservation. The first ones should be more spacious so that containers in the form of wooden boxes can be safely placed there. The latter can be narrow and located right next to the wall. In a round cellar, shelving can be used to divide the space into two main areas.

There are several basic types of shelving that are used in cellars.

Such structures are assembled from separate parts. Their main advantage is that installation does not take much time. The downside is that they do not support a lot of weight. Such racks are made of plastic, plywood or wood, but the most popular option is metal.

Prefabricated racks consist of:

• shelves;
• columns;
• strips to support the shelves;
• special supports.

This design is a great option for those who store a small amount of inventory in their basements and do not want to waste time installing shelves.

Such models are very similar to the previous ones. They are convenient because they can be quickly disassembled and reassembled at any time by installing in another place. With such shelves, it is easy to clean the cellar and disinfect the room.

They make similar structures from different materials. But the most popular option is plastic shelving. At home, shelves are even made from plastic window sills or corners. If we talk about finished products, they are sold disassembled, but you can assemble the structure very quickly. Although many underestimate plastic products, collapsible cellar shelves made from this material are quite durable.

These racks can be semicircular or rounded. They are most often located in the corner. This is convenient because there is more space for moving and storing vegetable crates.

Such racks are durable and reliable. Unlike prefabricated and collapsible structures, these are installed in the cellar for a long time. They are made from brick or wood. They carry a lot of weight and are suitable for storing heavy cans and boxes.

Different materials are used when creating shelving for the cellar. Craftsmen who prefer to do everything with their own hands can design them from polypropylene pipes, flat slate or boards.

According to the materials, the most popular are 3 types of shelving.

The most reliable are metal profile products. Its only drawback is that it corrodes. But here it is worth paying attention to the fact that this problem becomes relevant only after many years.

Therefore, metal racks can be safely installed in your basement, counting on the fact that repairs will not have to be done for 10-20 years. To extend the service life, the material can be additionally treated with special agents.

In addition to metal products and shaped pipes, wooden racks are also popular. The advantage of this material is that wood is inexpensive and very easy to process. But at the same time it is worth remembering that a tree can quickly deteriorate in conditions of high humidity. That's why the material also needs to be processed during the installation of the shelves and after. Experts recommend repeating this procedure regularly, in spring or summer. Wooden structures are useful both in the wine cellar and in the basement, where supplies for the winter are stored.

But not only boards can be used to build such shelving. Very often they are made from plywood or chipboard. This is an even more affordable and easy-to-use option. But it is worth remembering that, unlike durable wooden structures, chipboard products are not able to withstand a lot of weight. They are suitable for storing light cans or bottles up to 1 liter.

Plastic structures are very easy to design. But despite the fact that plastic racks are easy to clean, they still remain vulnerable to high humidity and sudden changes in temperature. Therefore, such models have to be replaced every few years.

Since the racks for the cellar are quite easy to make with your own hands, many owners prefer to craft them rather than buy them.

Therefore, it is best suited for those who are doing something with their own hands for the first time. In order to make a simple rack, you will need the following tools:

• tape measure and square;
• hacksaw;
• screwdriver and fasteners;
• pencil.

You will also need planks and simple wooden beams.

Shelving is made in several stages.

1. The first step is to create drawings. They will help determine the size of the structure. When the plan is ready, you can start building the transverse frames. For this you need to use 2 wooden racks. Their size depends on how high the structure should be. As a rule, they are not made too large so that you can easily reach the top shelf with your hand.
2. On the racks, you need to make notches, determining the place where the shelves will be located in the future.
3. After that, you should prepare boards and beams of two types. The first ones are selected for the length of the future shelves. The second should be equal to the width of the boards used.
4. Next, you need to make marks for the bars and cut the nests of the required size in the racks.
5. Long bars are inserted into these nests. Boards are located on top. Everything is fixed with a screwdriver. The crossbars are attached last.

The construction is solid and reliable.

In order for shelves assembled or built by their own hands to serve for more than one year, they need to be well cared for. So, after installation, the racks are recommended to be treated with special solutions that will protect any material from high humidity.

A solution of copper sulfate is one of the most effective products used for surface treatment in basements and cellars. The substance is inexpensive. Preparing the solution is very simple. Blue crystals just need to be diluted in water, following the instructions on the package.

Then it can be used to treat walls, metal or wood shelves. If possible, racks should be processed outdoors. If this is not possible, disinfection should be carried out using personal protective equipment.

Often, special antiseptic compositions are used for processing, which can be bought in specialized stores. They can handle both the entire room and individual zones or racks.

The peculiarity of antiseptics is that when working with them, it is imperative to read the instructions and pay attention to the details. In some cases, the surfaces must be moistened before work, in others, on the contrary, dry well. If you follow these simple rules, then both small and large cellars can be kept tidy.

These formulations penetrate deep into the material and are best suited for fighting mold and mildew. If a person plans to build shelving with his own hands, then they should be used to handle new shelves.

There are a wide variety of impregnations that are suitable for different materials. So, you can find means for protecting shelving from:

• wood;
• bricks;
• concrete;
• metal.

All of them work efficiently and allow you to forget about problems such as the appearance of mold or mildew. It is recommended to carry out processing with such impregnations not once, but after a certain period. It all depends on the material.

But it's not just the treatment of the shelving that helps keep the underground clean and keep all the products in good condition. In order for the shelves to remain reliable and durable longer, it is worth adhering to a number of rules.

• Make a high-quality ventilation system. If there is good air exchange in the basement, the risk of fungus and signs of rotting will be reduced there. If the location of the cellar allows, it should be regularly ventilated during the warm season. In the summer, it is also recommended to free up space as much as possible from old stocks. This is done not only in order to free up space for potatoes and other blanks. In such conditions, the shelves will dry out better, the excess moisture will disappear, and the fungus and mold will die. By the fall, it will be possible to safely bring a new crop into the basement.

• Wooden shelving should be checked regularly. As soon as traces of rot appear on them, they must be processed immediately. In this case, it is necessary to disinfect not only a separate area, but also the entire shelf. After using the antiseptic, the rack must be dried well and only after that the blanks must be returned to their rightful place.

• Do not overload the shelves. When arranging a cellar, it is necessary to calculate the location and size of the racks so that all the products can be placed there, even if the year is unusually fruitful.

• To avoid rusting cans, steel shelves should be additionally protected. You can use self-adhesive or ordinary film.

For more information on shelving in the cellar, see the video below.