Concrete – How to attach wooden shelf ledgers to concrete foundation walls

concretefastener

I am installing some garage shelves for my friend. She wants it strong so she can climb up them, and load it with heavy boxes. It’s no problem for me except that these walls, which will go floor to garage door open height, have concrete foundation walls til about half way up (52”). My design for shelves is like most with ledger boards going horizontal. But how will I attach my ledger boards to the concrete retaining wall? I see lots of information online for brick walls, just not concrete.

It’s a newer house probably built in 2015 so the concrete should be good quality. I do have access to a hammer drill as well. I will be using lag bolts on the section that’s in the wood studs, just wondering about the bottom concrete half.

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Best Answer

There are many types of concrete anchors available. Have you looked into them? Which you choose partly depends on the tools you have available. However, I'd consider freestanding shelves attached to the framing above.

Since your plan is to use lag screws already, why not use anchors designed to accommodate them? This way you can use the same screws throughout.

Lag Shield

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Expanding Anchor

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Concrete Screws

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