How To Pack Glass Shelves For Moving (Step-by-Step Guide)

You’re moving into a new home along with all of your belongings. As exciting as it may sound, it also requires a lot of planning, organizing and flat-out work.

You have to make sure all your belongings do not just get packed, but that they arrive in one piece. That includes extremely scary to pack and move fragile items like glass shelves.

Let’s make it easier for you to pack your easy-to-break belongings with this simple guide on how to pack glass shelves for moving.

Let’s jump right into it!

How to Pack Glass Shelves for Moving

Scratches and dents are the least of your worries when handling glass shelves. Breaking these glass pieces can spell disaster. Not only are glass shelves pretty much irreparable if broken, but broken glass shelves can also be extremely dangerous.

Before you even start the process, you need to prepare your packing supplies.

Packing Supplies

The actual process of packing your shelves into a box is actually pretty simple IF you have the right packing materials.

The key here is getting the correct supplies for the job and not trying to piecemeal together a ‘solution’ that may or may not get your shelves to your new home in one piece.

If you take away one thing from this article it should be this: It is worth taking the time (and spending the money) to get the proper materials to get the job done correctly.

Here are the supplies you’ll need to get started:

Boxes

The right size of boxes is essential in moving your glass shelves.

To give you an idea of what size to get, measure the glass shelves. Plus, take into account the volume of your packaging material.

Also, think about the weight of the shelves when selecting a box as well. If your shelves are heavy, you don’t want to put too many of them in one box which makes it difficult to handle and carry.

In that case, place your shelves into separate boxes so it’s less likely one is accidentally dropped.

Packing Paper

Packing paper serves as the first line of protection for your glass shelves. This won’t help in terms of breaking, but it prevents dust and dirt buildup. In addition, it restricts the glass from getting in contact with staining materials.

Ideally, you should buy ink and acid-free packing paper. The material should also be soft enough not to create scratches.

You can crumple this paper and use them for snug-fitting empty spaces. This helps keep your furniture from shifting especially when in transit.

Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is your second layer of packaging. It will be responsible for absorbing impact due to movement in both handling and transport.

For best results, use bubble wrap with large pockets on larger furniture, though smaller bubbles will do if it’s all you have.

Similar to packing paper, you can also use bubble wrap to fill voids in the box. You can use a combination of big and small if deemed necessary.

Plus, remember not to use bubble wrap as primary packaging, as it may stain the glass shelves.

Foam Wrap or Cardboard

There are some alternatives to bubble wrap if you suddenly run out of them. These are foam wraps or thick cardboard.

You need to cut out pieces and fit them along the outlines and the base of the box. This will provide support and hold your shelves in place.

Using these materials allows you to pack in more pieces inside one box as bubble wraps take up much more volume.

Still, packing in too much can make your box too heavy to move.

Moving Blankets

After the primary and secondary packaging, you’ll need moving blankets as the last layer of protection. These items are designed for heavy-duty moving and are critical in safely setting your furniture in your new home.

Packing Tape

You’ll need packing tape for two things: sealing boxes and keeping all layers of shelf packaging intact.

Sudden or strong movements during transport or lifting can burst open poorly secured boxes. This is why you need to have quality tape to ensure that all packaging ends and the box itself are tightly secured.

Marker

We all know what moving is like. You’ll likely have boxes stacked everywhere. It’ll be too difficult to keep track of everything without labels. This is when markers come in handy.

Place labels indicating what’s inside each box you finish wrapping. For glass pieces, include “Fragile” and the orientation desired.

This is as important to you as it is to helpers or movers if you’re looking to hire their services.

Hand Gloves

Safety should be your main priority when performing packing duties. Besides possible breakage or damage to your furniture, you need to avoid self-sustained injuries.

Make sure to get a pair of gloves that will give you a good grip. This will help you avoid the glass from slipping and breaking.

Procedure

Now that you have all of the needed supplies, here’s a step-by-step guide for you to follow:

1. First, clean your shelves with a dust cloth or soapy water, then dry them.
2. Measure the shelf dimensions in preparation for the box and packaging size.
3. Then, cut appropriate-sized packaging paper.
4. Individually wrap the shelves with the cutouts.
5. Afterward, wrap each piece with bubble wrap
6. If using cardboard or foam wrap, create the base and side supports for the box.
7. Then, wrap shelves with furniture blankets.
8. Make sure that all layers of packaging are taped at the ends.
9. Place the shelves into the boxes labeled “Fragile.”
10. Next, secure them in place with crumpled packing paper or bubble wrap.
11. Finally, close and properly tape the box.

Wrapping Up

Moving places takes a lot of work. You need to put in hours of work, packing things both big and small. Additionally, part of the challenge is preparing to move large furniture that contains glass shelves.

To address this common concern, we’ve listed packing supplies and detailed how to pack glass shelves for moving. This includes three layers of protection; packing paper, bubble wrap, and furniture blankets.

Packing paper serves to protect the glass from scratches, dirt, and dust buildup. It can also be used to fill up empty spaces and help secure the shelves in place.

Meanwhile, bubble wrap and furniture blankets act as shock absorbers to prevent breakage and other damages during transit and handling.