Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This unit appears to be quite sturdy and all needed hardware and brackets are included *if* the desired location has two side walls less than perhaps 41" apart, as in a small, narrow closet. What's in the box: The actual telescoping shelf with rod unit arrives fully assembled; there is also one *side support mounting bracket* and one *center support mounting bracket* included loose in the box, along with a packet of hardware and installation instructions. Basic tools needed for assembly and installation: level, 1/4" drill bit, tape measure, #2 Phillips head and flathead screwdrivers,ladder or step stool, and a hammer. (And some ice if you're a klutz like me :-) When mounting into wood studs or beams, it helps to drill a 1/8" starter/pilot hole first. If you don't have a 1/8" drill bit, you might drive then pull a small nail to make a starter/pilot hole.
Be advised, if you plan to install it in an area with only *one* side wall to attach it to, you will require an extra "optional" side support mounting bracket(Part no. SCR-SSMB)which you would attach to the wall *behind* the shelf, in order to support the open side of the shelf with rod unit. You would also require the extra optional side support mounting bracket if you plan to attach more than one unit together in a horizontal row. In this case, the extra bracket would allow you to attach more than one unit together in a horizontal row with the optional bracket fastened securely to the wall behind the shelf. The number of extra brackets required would depend on the number of units you plan to attach together in a row.
You may be wondering why I don't just get a longer shelf/rod unit that would reach from one end of the closet to the other. Please allow me to elucidate: We live in an Arts & Craft bungalow style house built in 1915 that has *no* bedroom closets. (Yes, way!) (It does have more than its fair share of doorways, however!) Our bedroom is long and narrow with a window in the center of one narrow end. My plan is to install one of these units on each side of the window, with extra, wider Hyloft shelves above (for extra blankets, boxes or bins, etc.).
Only after I received the units and read the installation instructions did I realize I will need two of the optional side support brackets to provide support for the ends by the window.
Initially, I had some difficulty locating the optional brackets and nearly gave up. (As of this writing Amazon does not carry them, but I hope they make them available.) Although the box containing the unit gives the brand name as Tube Technology, the web site given is down, and the phone number has been disconnected. (There are also several other businesses with similar names that came up.) At that point I planned to return the units for a refund. I then looked up my original order on Amazon.com and noticed the manufacturer was listed as "Hyloft", like the other shelves I ordered. I checked out the Hyloft website and at first couldn't even find the shelf units. I finally found them shown on the Dealer portion of the website. I called the contact phone number (800.990.6003) and was referred to customer service. After doing some research, the Hyloft customer service rep. (Tom) called me back and,to my delight,is sending me two of the optional extra side mounting brackets free of charge, with free shipping! (Tube Technology may have sold out to Hyloft or licensed the product to them, and they didn't rebox the pre-existing inventory in Hyloft boxes, or perhaps there is some other reasonable explanation why they were sold in Tube Technology boxes.) By the way, according to the package, these units are made in the USA, which I feel is definitely another big plus.
I think these shelf units are really very sturdy and will work well and look fine for the intended application. They seem much nicer looking and more sturdy than the wire closet ones I've seen around, and I really didn't want to return them. I think they are a bargain for the price, and Hyloft is a good and reliable name. The clothes hanging on a closet rod can be surprisingly heavy, so I recommend following the installation instructions very closely, especially if you're installing it on drywall, and not loading it with too many items. About 200lb total is the limit. I'm not very handy with tools but fortunately the instructions are clear enough that I don't expect to have any problems, even with arthritis. I certainly appreciate that they are adjustable lengthwise so I won't have any cutting or other modifications to do.
Since we're real people who live at the beach and enjoy a casual lifestyle in an old house with lots of character, it would be ridiculous for us to spend a fortune on custom closets, or even closet systems. All things considered, I think in most parts of the world these useful shelf/rod combinations would be considered quite luxurious, and we are thankful we are able to afford them. You see, after half a century of living, our priorities in life have changed quite a bit. Over the years, upgrading electrical service and wiring, replacing plumbing, and fixing and maintaining this old house were higher priority for us than any interior remodeling. Since we haven't had a closet, we have been "making do" with a long unfinished steel rod that spans the narrow end of the room and which is supported by two simple thick wooden brackets. Though there is a curtain, on the inside of the room the window is obscured by hanging clothing and there is no shelf above the rod. So, it's time for a change!
These units will be a huge improvement at a *very* reasonable price. I will hang these units slightly higher on the wall, which will allow me to hang a second, lower rod on each which will effectively double our closet space. After adding additional shelving above (from Hyloft, of course) it will be a wonderful change that works well with our lifestyle and takes advantage of unused space above.
Thank you for reading this lengthy review, and I hope this information is helpful to you. Although I encountered a small challenge with locating the optional brackets I needed, I highly recommend this Hyloft item and would definitely purchase it again. There is one last thing: May God bless and keep well the hard working people who built these units here in the USA.
HyLoft Bin-Max 34-by 36-Inch Shelf Unit, Hammertone #519
HyLoft 45-by-15-Inch Shelf, White, 2-Pack #967
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Click Here to see more reviews about: HyLoft Expandable Shelf with Rod
Expandable Rod and Shelf, 42" to 72" - Choose from 2 sizes! Fully assembled expandable closet rod and shelf. The perfect solution for every organization need. Wasy one-person installation. No cutting and no measuring.Mount the included brackets with the included hardware, expand the fixture to desired length and hang it up. No mess, no dust and no painting. Resin coated steel rods will not rust or mildew. Holds up to 200 lbs without hitting a stud. Imported. (SCRW72TY)
Click here for more information about HyLoft Expandable Shelf with Rod
