Stiffness increases rapidly with shelf thickness; regardless of material choice, a 3 ? 4-inch (19 mm) shelf is 73% stiffer than a 5 ? 8-inch (16 mm) shelf, even though it is only 20% thicker. shelves made of some particle board formulations, especially where not reinforced, may sag or deform.. Shelf thickness. i'm building an oak bookcase with solid wood shelves. the shelves will be 36" wide and 13" deep. any point in making the shelves 7/8" thick instead of 3/4"...or am i just adding weight to the bookcase? dean. deanf is offline quote quick reply. remove advertisements.. Only for cabinet with thickness up to 1.2 inch. do not forget to measure your cabinet before buying. no tools required --- just hang the dual sturdy hooks and this nice and stable under shelf storage will hold your food or tools neatly. this under shelf basket holds up to 10 lbs weight..
3/8" thickness used in cabinets, furniture, medicine cabinets, and niches. has a high-end appearance. supports significantly more weight than 1/4" shelves. 1/2" thickness sometimes used in cabinets and furniture. has a high-end appearance. supports more weight than 3/8" shelves.. Building bookshelves to last e veryone can use a few more shelves. indeed, in many homes, an avail-able shelf can be as difficult to find know the thickness of the shelf (