How much weight can your overhead kitchen cabinets really hold?
Dishes are getting heavier, especially compared to the fine, small, lightweight options our grandparents used. We’re also collecting more dishes that are sturdier, as Americans embrace the idea of the home gourmet chef. However, kitchen cabinets aren’t indestructible, and even the most durable ones can gine way under too much weight.
According to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association, the weight limit of the average kitchen cabinet is 600 pounds. It sounds like a lot, but keep in mind this is an average for the entire overhead cabinet unit (not per shelf).
Of course, the average kitchen cabinet load won’t even come close to reaching this capacity, but you still don’t want to take any chances. If you have older kitchen cabinets, or poor quality cabinets, they likely can hold much less weight.
Kitchen Cabinet Standards
Most kitchen cabinet manufacturers dictate their own weight limits, and 500 pounds is more common (albeit likely a conservative estimate). If you’re having custom wood kitchen cabinets built, they won’t come with a manufacturer’s suggested weight limit. Talk with your carpenter, and if you’re worried about overloading kitchen cabinets, you can request additional support for peace of mind.
Cabinet material, construction, fasteners, studs, joists and more are all part of the cocktail that make up the kitchen cabinet weight limits. Higher-quality cabinets can hold more, heavier dishes. However, you still want to evenly distribute weight whenever you can.
Utilize the top cabinets, even if you can’t reach them without a ladder, and reserve those spaces for less-frequently-used items.
What About Pantries?
Generally, pantry shelves are designed to hold more weight than overhead kitchen cabinets. Pantries are also usually more accessible than some kitchen cabinet shelves, and are a great option for storing heavier dishes. Reserving kitchen cabinets for foods and spices, which are lighter in weight, is a great alternative if you’re worried about weight limits. When pantries are so close to the kitchen, using them for dishes and flatware is an easy swap.
Most kitchen cabinet shelves consist of ¾-inch thick materials. Abiding by that thickness is a must if you’re following established weight standards. Some homeowners try to save money and choose thinner shelving materials, sometimes as slim as 5/8 inches, and doing so will dramatically decrease weight limits.
It’s What’s Inside That Matters
Most overhead kitchen cabinets are also 1 foot deep. Going with deeper cabinets will modify weight limits. Common shelving materials include plywood and particleboard. Both materials are good choices, but plywood tends to hold fasteners much better than particleboard.
Adjustable shelves, increasingly popular, have their own rules. Each metal clip can hold about 25 pounds, while plastic clips can hold just 10 pounds. Checking the quality of the screws is also important. Craftsmen will tell you that 3-inch, coarse, No. 10 screws are ideal and can increase weight capacity.
Want to ensure you get the best kitchen cupboards? Call AWA Kitchen Cabinet today.