Standard Specifications For Floating Shelves From Cutting Edge
Learn the standard specs for floating shelves so you can avoid delays, reduce mistakes, and finish your projects on time.
If you’ve ever opened a box of floating shelves and realized they didn’t match what you expected, you know how frustrating that moment can be. The outcome is the same whether the grain direction, finishing, or hardware was incorrect. Your project falls behind, frustrating your client and harming your reputation. Most of the time, these issues stem from unclear or assumed specifications. When you don’t know what’s standard, you can’t know what’s missing until it’s too late.
At Cutting Edge, we’ve seen firsthand how miscommunication around floating shelf specs can derail a project. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to bring clarity to the process. With over 20 years of experience in crafting custom cabinetry components, including floating shelves, we’ve established internal standards that help prevent misunderstandings before they occur. Our goal is to ensure you feel confident placing an order, knowing exactly what to expect from the start.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a complete understanding of:
Cutting Edge’s Standard Specifications For Floating Shelves
Floating shelves may look simple, but getting them right requires understanding how they’re built and what comes with your order. At Cutting Edge, we’ve created standard specifications to help you order with confidence. These apply to most orders unless you request otherwise. Let’s walk through what those are.
You Have To Select A Thickness For Floating Shelves
There’s no universal default when it comes to floating shelf thickness. At Cutting Edge, shelf thickness is a detail you must select because it impacts more than appearance. It directly affects the structural integrity, the kind of mounting hardware required, and even the cost.
For example, thinner shelves (0.75” to 1.5”) give a clean, modern aesthetic and are lighter, but they won’t hold as much weight. They’re ideal for decorative items or light kitchenware. On the other hand, thicker shelves (2” and up) feel more substantial and can handle heavier loads, but require stronger brackets and backing support.
With solid wood shelves, thicker builds mean more material, which increases the cost. Mitre-folded shelves, by contrast, use less material to achieve the same thickness, helping keep costs lower without sacrificing style.
Mitre-Folded Floating Shelves Have Specific Grain Directions
Grain direction is a minor detail with major visual impact, especially for floating shelves installed in prominent locations. When you order mitre-folded floating shelves from Cutting Edge, the grain direction always follows the same pattern.
The grain on mitre-folded floating shelves runs horizontally across the top, bottom, and front edges, which helps the shelf appear as a single seamless board. Meanwhile, the grain runs vertically on the left and right edges, reinforcing the illusion of a solid block of wood, even though it’s mitre-folded from veneered panels or laminates.
This method ensures the most effective use of the material. You can customize the grain direction if needed, for example, to match an existing design. But this horizontal/vertical grain combination is our default.
Wood Floating Shelves Arrive Ready To Finish
Your floating shelves arrive sanded to 180 grit with all edges left sharp. This means they are ready for finishing, but they are not finished.
This is a common source of confusion. Some clients expect pre-finished shelves, but unless you’ve requested finishing as part of your order, what you receive will be raw and ready for stain or lacquer. This gives you full control over colour matching and finishing sheen. It’s ideal for custom installations where matching existing cabinetry is important.
We always recommend inspecting the shelves upon arrival. A quick visual check before moving them into your finishing booth ensures you catch any issues early, saving time and preventing rework later.
Cutting Edge’s Floating Shelves Do Not Include Installation Hardware
Every wall is different, and each shelf installation has unique challenges. Because of that, Cutting Edge does not include mounting hardware or cleats with our floating shelf orders.
Some contractors may be surprised by this, especially if they’ve worked with suppliers who bundle brackets with each order. However, we’ve found that leaving the choice of hardware to the installer leads to better results. It allows you to match the right support to the wall type, shelf weight, and intended use. Whether you’re anchoring into studs, concrete, or tile, you need flexibility.
We recommend sourcing hardware from trusted suppliers, such as Richelieu or Häfele, that offer cleats and brackets for floating shelves. Those suppliers can also help point you in the right direction if you’re unsure what to order.
Most Floating Shelves Ship In 10–15 Working Days
The production timeline begins once you approve and pay for your quote. Most floating shelf orders ship within 10-15 working days. This estimate does not include shipping time.
Your timeline may lengthen slightly if you’ve requested a less common material or finishing. We’ll always communicate those changes upfront. Planning your project timeline around these lead times helps avoid scheduling issues with installation or finishing.
You Have To Pay For Your Floating Shelves Before Production Begins
Cutting Edge requires two things before starting work on your order:
- A signed confirmation of your quote
- A minimum 50% deposit
This policy ensures two things: first, that you understand the specifications and there’s no ambiguity; and second, that we can begin production with clear priorities and committed timelines.
For you, it means there’s no guessing. You know what you’re getting, and when you’ll get it.
When Do The Standard Specifications For Floating Shelves Apply?
The specs in this article are what we’ll follow unless you request otherwise.
That means we won’t assume finishing, cleats, or a specific thickness without being told. We include the specifications in every quote and confirm them again before production begins. You can always ask for custom grain direction, special thicknesses, or finished shelves. We can accommodate those changes – if they’re discussed up front.
Understanding when the standard specs apply helps prevent mismatches between what you expected and what arrives on site. It also allows our team to build exactly what your project needs, without unnecessary delays or redesigns. But that’s not the only reason to understand the standards.
Why Is It Important To Understand The Standards For Floating Shelves?
Floating shelves seem simple. But when one small assumption leads to a wrong order, whether it’s the grain, the thickness, or the lack of cleats, you could be looking at a missed deadline or a disappointed client. That’s why understanding our standard specifications matters.
Knowing what’s included (and what’s not) lets you plan your installation properly. It gives you time to source the right hardware, prep your finishing booth, and align your installation schedule. And in the long run, it protects your reputation as a reliable contractor or builder who delivers on time, every time.
When you work with Cutting Edge, we want you to feel supported. That’s why we make these specs easy to understand and even easier to clarify.
Learn How To Price Out Floating Shelves Online
At the end of the day, we’ve all experienced the stress that comes when something doesn’t arrive the way we expected. This is especially true when you’re relying on floating shelves to arrive on time, match your design, and install cleanly. Now that you’ve learned what Cutting Edge includes in our standard floating shelf specs, you’re in a stronger position to avoid those headaches and plan your projects with clarity and confidence.
You came here looking for answers because you wanted to avoid delays, confusion, and rework. Now, you can move forward with confidence, knowing when our specs apply and how to request changes if needed. Your next step is simple: learn how to price out floating shelves online so you can get quotes right when you need them.
