Comments on: Elfa vs. ClosetMaid track shelving

By: Welp

Welp — Mon, 16 May 2022 20:46:59 +0000

Thanks! This is very helpful!

By: anita life

anita life — Sun, 13 Dec 2020 19:41:23 +0000

Hi Sunila, hopefully you receive this – I’m not sure if I understand your question, but I think the ClosetMaid components might only be compatible with the vertical standards rather than the horizontal track. I’m pretty sure all these systems are interchangeable when it comes to actually putting the hardware on the vertical supports because of the size and spacing of the holes on the vertical standards.

I would really not feel comfortable using the ClosetMaid stuff for anything very heavy. I’m looking at the pictures of ClosetMaid now online and I think I can see why – there is something about the way that the notch on the Elfa track lets the tracks hang right against the wall that I think is superior.

By: Sunila

Sunila — Sun, 13 Dec 2020 00:04:55 +0000

Hi Anita, great to see that this post is still alive ! Had a couple of questions based off of your suggestions: “...You can also use your own wood or MDF or whatever and drill your own holes and then use them with the Elfa hardware, or buy off-brand hardware that works with the tracks at various hardware stores (highly recommend using the Elfa horizontal and vertical)...” Have you found any off brand brackets that fit the Elfa standards( verticals) ( Closet Maid/Rubbermaid etc) ? I know that you recommend Elfa verticals but have you tried standards ( verticals) from other brands that fit the Elfa hang rail (horizontal) ? Elfa verticals start at 60 “ and needed half the size for my project ... ( 3 shelves 30” long 60” wide ) Know they would cut them, but ... for the in-depth info and observations!

By: anita life

anita life — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 00:17:18 +0000

I think I ended up putting Elfa components on ClosetMaid track and rails in a different room in the house in this blog post, but I would recommend doing it the other way around (ClosetMaid accessories on Elfa), the track and rails were really precarious, it’s really a huge difference in quality

By: anita life

anita life — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 00:15:43 +0000

It worked fine, I think the spacing between their components is a little different so it might be difficult to hang components from a different brand on the same brackets. I think probably you’d have to double up so that you have them at the right intervals and you wouldn’t be able to necessarily have them on the same horizontal row because of spacing differences and slight differences in the mounts. I assume that most of the hardware store alternatives to this (Menard’s has a store brand) would work with the same track and there is some variation between what is available. For clothes Elfa seems superior. In my new house I have Elfa top tracks and vertical posts with brackets and shelves from Menards and it saved quite a bit of money, I should probably do a new post

By: Joanne

Joanne — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 11:01:56 +0000

Thank you for this comparison! So, clearly you prefer the Elfa track – any further comment on using the ClosetMaid shelving with Elfa track?

By: Jeanne Tanis

Jeanne Tanis — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 12:32:00 +0000

Thanks for posting this article. Have you use Elfa brackets and shelf’s with ClosetMaid track and rails?
Thanks
Jeanne

By: anita life

anita life — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 01:59:53 +0000

It’s the “Me” theme from themehall.com

By: anita life

anita life — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 01:59:15 +0000

Hi, this is at a prior residence but you absolutely do not have to attach the top track although if you can drill it into a stud that is obviously a plus. There are pre-drilled holes on the tracks at regular intervals. The Container Store sells anchors that are a little different from what you can get at the hardware store. I have moved this setup many times and you can absolutely get it into most walls by using those anchors outside of studs (anchors not necessary if you do hit a stud). The Elfa shelves have a few different widths depending on whether you place the shelf in the middle or at the end. You can also use your own wood or MDF or whatever and drill your own holes and then use them with the Elfa hardware, or buy off-brand hardware that works with the tracks at various hardware stores (highly recommend using the Elfa horizontal and vertical).

You can set your own vertical width if you decide to use your own materials. I’ll make a new post with current office, this post is apparently still very popular!

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 19:42:39 +0000

Hi, thanks for your images. I have a question about your bookshelves. Did you really only attach the top track and not at all down the standards? what width is your shelving? I’m wanting to do exactly this: create 4 or 5 bookshelves on the wall above my radiator. The top track can hold them with no additional wall anchoring?
Thank you!