For shelves, plywood should be at least 3/4 inches thick. Typical plywood sheets are available in thicknesses of 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, and 3/4 inch. Above 3/4 inch thick plywood panels are often special order items.
Chipboard. The least expensive and sturdiest material is plain chipboard, which is unlaminated chipboard.
Bookcases are still in style, especially if they are constructed of high-quality wood and have a contemporary design. But, current fashions and the purchasing habits of the newest generations show if a bookshelf is still necessary in our homes.
MDF is a cheap, smooth material that is frequently used for shelves in cupboards and closets. MDF, however, is less rigid than plywood and will sag over time.
a word of advice: As plywood is the industry standard for shelving, it makes sense to use it for bookshelves.
The thickness of 3/4 inches is the most typical size for shelves. Typically, a combination of 1/2 and 3/4 inches, with the odd use of 1/4 inch, may be used for cabinetry, furniture, and smaller decorative tasks.
Starting by screwing the shelves into the back will provide them a lot of support along their whole length. Installing a thicker back panel and routing a dado for the full back of the shelf to sit in would be another comparable option.
As you can see, a 1/2" of plywood has a maximum load capacity per square foot of 35 pounds. Nevertheless, plywood with a thickness doubled to 1 inch may withstand up to 164 pounds per square foot. Plywood can withstand significantly more weight thanks to its increasing thickness because it can transfer stress away from the center.
You can make a rustic-style piece of decor that is not only highly sturdy but also easy on the pocketbook and the eyes by building a shelf out of 2-by-2-inch pieces of lumber.
A floating shelf is sturdy, easy to construct, has no obvious supports, and requires just two parts. These shelves are stylish, simple to assemble, and reasonably priced. They are sturdy despite without any obvious supports. They lack bulky hardware or brackets and instead seem to float on the wall.