how to build a corner bookcase that acts as a railing

Question

I have a drop off at the top of the stairs in my kids playroom where I would like to install a waist high shelving unit that would be bolted to the floor and would replace the existing railing. The space is in an attic area so the walls are vertical to about waist height and then angle up to the ceiling. It would not only add storage to a cluttered area but I think it would be safer than a railing. Any suggestions?

Tom H · Accepted Answer

I would worry about the kids climbing the bookcase and falling.They can't climb a railing.

allison.patton · Answer

I hate to say this, but you don't know my kids, I beleive that they arepart spider.......:)

Thomas Kendrick · Answer

Bolting to the floor will not likely be sufficient to avoid wobble onthe free end - for either railing or bookcase. Gotta either go up to aceiling joist or down to a floor joist to make that free end stable,especially with kids swinging on it.

RicodJour · Answer

If it's the same height, why would it be safer than a railing? Kids can climb up on either one.

Railings are required to sustain a 50 pound per linear foot of railing load, with an individual point load of 200 pounds anywhere along it's length. Since the shelving will be replacing the railing it should be designed with that load in mind.

As another post mentioned, tying it in to the ceiling by either running the shelving all the way up, or by having a post of some sort at the end, would make it a lot more stable. Bolting it to the floor would probably work fine, but without more information on the intended depth and construction, it's hard to say for sure.

R

how to build a corner bookcase that acts as a railing

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