Purchasing A freedomRail System

freedomRail

FreedomRail shelving systems allow you to create a truly custom storage solution for your closet, pantry, garage, office or storage area. FreedomRail allows you to be a designer (See our freedomRail Design Page). With its flexible design freedomRail allows you configure and reconfigure your system as your storage needs change. You can move, add or remove shelves, Organization-Boxes (O-Boxes) and accessories whenever you choose. FreedomRail shelving is easy to install because you basically mount the rail to the wall and everything else hangs from that.

For more information please visit the following helpful pages:
freedomRail Image Gallary | freedomRail Garage Examples | freedomRail Installation Instructions

How It Works:

 FreedomRail 		Just two components create the skeleton of a freedomRail system. The Hanging Rail attaches horizontally to the wall, and holds all of the weight of the FreedomRail system. The Hanging Rail Uprights attach to the Hanging Rail and provide the mounting platform for shelf brackets, O-Boxes, Go-Boxes and accessories. Components can be placed anywhere along the length of the Hanging Rail Uprights. This allows you can create a column of shelves between two uprights, but remember that each shelf will need to be held on each end by an upright.

An example of a very rudimentary freedomRail system would be a one shelf unit, and would include the following:
  1. One Hanging Rail
  2. Two Hanging Rail Uprights
  3. Two shelf brackets
  4. One shelf
It is recommended that the Hanging Rail Uprights be spaced 24 to 30 inches apart based on load weight and type of installation (ie a standard O-Box needs a 24 inch upright spacing while a garage Go-Box would require 30 inch spacing). At a 30 inch spacing each lineal foot of shelving would be able to hold approximately 75 pounds. For uprights spaced at 24 inches apart each lineal foot will hold approximately 100 pounds.

Selecting Components:

 		You will want to take the time to measure your space and decide how wide your shelving system will be. Measure the width of the wall or closet where your FreedomRail system will be installed. Also make sure the height of the wall is tall enough for what you want to do with the space (ie closet system need to be at least 90 inches so you have enough room for double hang clothing). It is not important to decide exactly where your shelves will go yet.

All FreedomRail metal components (rails, uprights, brackets, etc) are available in your choice of White or a Nickel finish so you will need to decide which finish fits your needs and decor.
Hanging Rail Hanging Rail Once you've measured twice, you can choose your Hanging Rail. As stated above you can select either white or nickel. The Hanging Rails are available in the following lengths:
Length - Inches # Screw Holes Length - Inches # Screw Holes
24 2 30 3
36 4 40 5
64 8 80 10
Remember that the rails can be cut to size. For example, if your wall is 70 inches wide you will choose the 80 inch hang rail and cut it to size. If your wall is 100 inches wide you would select one 40 inch rail and a 64 inch rail and cut the longer rail to your desired size. Keep in mind that rails can go wall to wall or you can leave some space on the sides unless you have O-Boxes on the end. The mounting holes are spaced at 8 inches so they will hit 16 or 24 on center studs. The manufacturer says you can use all drywall anchors to secure the rail but we like to hit studs whenever possible. You can also mount the rail in to the top plate at the top corner of the wall.

To mount the Hanging Rail, you will want to use the freedomRail Screws and Anchors. These are specifically designed for FreedomRail installation. Detailed instructions on how to install the Hanging Rail can be found at our freedomRail Installation Page.
Uprights
Upright 		Since you have measured the height of the system, you know approximately how tall you want your Uprights. If you want to create a column of shelves, you will need the longest Uprights that your wall will hold. The longer the Upright, the more flexible it is, because you can use it for shelves, O-Boxes or just cover it with hanging clothes. If you plan to reconfigure your FreedomRail system often, your best bet is to use the longest Hanging Rail Uprights that your wall will support all the way across your system.

The Hanging Rail Uprights are available in 30, 48, 74 and 90 inch lengths. The 48 inch uprights are perfect for double hang closets while the 30 inch uprights work well for long hang closets. 90 inch upright work well in the garage and when you attach the hang rail to the top plate. Then 74 inch uprights are the most popular and most versatile.

Each upright has a screw hole near the bottom so you can affix it to the wall and keep the upright from swaying. In our experience you really do not need to secure the uprights to the wall.

FreedomRail also offers Wall Mounted Uprights that attach directly to the wall using the Screws and Anchors are available. These Uprights are available only in a white finish, and do not require a Hanging Rail.
Shelves
Wood Shelf 		Two different types of shelves are available in the FR system: Solid Melamine and Profile Wire. Both types of shelving have their advantages. In most cases, one type will better suit the shelving application and your taste. Of course, you can always mix Profile Wire Shelves and Melamine Shelves into the same FreedomRail system.
  • Profile Wire Shelves are available in your choice of white or nickel finish. Profile Wire Shelving is lightweight and provides air circulation, making it perfect for computer components or linen closets. This shelf style is available in depths of 9, 12, 16 or 20 inch depths to satisfy any storage need. Information about ordering custom or pre cut lengths is available on the individual item pages for the shelves.

  • Solid Melamine Shelves are available in a variety of finishes including: White, Cherry, Chocolate Pear, Maple and Driftwood. These shelves provide a flat surface and a very clean look, making this type great for pantries, desk tops, and solid closet shelves. The melamine shelves are available in depths of 8, 12, 14 or 21 inches and widths of 24, 30, 36 48 and 72 inches.
Shelf Brackets
Wood Shelf Bracket 		Regardless of whether you choose a Profile Wire Shelf or a Solid Melamine Shelf, you will need at least two Shelf Brackets. The FR shelf brackets attach the shelves to the Hanging Rail Uprights. You will want to place a Shelf Bracket everywhere that a Hanging Rail Upright and a shelf intersect.

As with the other hardware the Shelf Brackets are available in either a White or Nickel finish. Angled Wire Shelf Brackets are available for use with the 12 inch deep Profile Wire Shelving. There are also angled solid shelf brackets for use with 14 inch melamine shelving. These Angled Bracket is ideal for holding shoes in a closet.

For Melamine Shelf Brackets you will notice that the bracket sizes do not match the shelf depths. follow the chart below to determine the proper bracket for melamine shelving:
Shelf Depth - Inches Bracket Size - Inches
8 6.5
12 10.5
14 12.5
21 18.5
Each Solid Melamine Shelf Bracket will require two Shelf Locators to securely hold the shelf to the bracket.
Organization Boxes
O-Box 		Several different styles of O-Boxes are available. Depending upon your application, you can choose O-Boxes with shelves or drawers. We even offer a special File Drawer O-Box for home office applications, and a Shoe Cubbies O-Box for shoe storage in a closet application.

Things to know about O-Boxes:
  1. O-Boxes are available in both Regular (24 inch) or Large (30 inch) size. To use the Regular size, your hanging uprights must be 24 inches apart and to use the Large size your hanging uprights must be 30 inches apart.
  2. O-Boxes are available in your choice of White, Cherry, Chololate Pear, Maple and Driftwood finishes to match your melamine shelves.
Organization Box accessories, like Sliding Wire Basket Drawers and Paper Sorter Inserts are also available to outfit your system just the way you like it.
Closet Rods
Clothes Rod 		Adding a Closet Rod to your FreedomRail closet system allows you to hang garments. A Closet Rod may be installed at any height along the FreedomRail Upright, given that there is a shelf for the Closet Rod to connect to. The Closet Rod will be held in place using Rod Clips. These Rod Clips each attach to the bottom of a shelf bracket, and hold the Closet Rod securely in place. Closet Rod Stops are then added to the ends of the Closet Rod to keep your hangers from sliding off.

For each closet rod section, you will need the following: Take note that only 12.5 inch Solid Melamine shelf bracket (for use with the 14 inch solid shelf), along with the 12 inch and 16 inch ventilated wire shelf brackets can accept a Closet Rod Clip. You will need one Closet Rod Clip for each shelf bracket that your closet rod will intersect.
FR Accessories
freedomRail Accessories 		Now that you have your freedomRail shelving system picked out it is time to add the finishing touches to make your closet, pantry, office, garage or storage room a truly custom storage area. FreedomRail comes with a wide variety of accessories to make the shelving work perfectly for your particular needs. Some popular accessories are wire shelf hooks, garage hooks, baskets tie racks and valets. Any of these handy accessories will help get and keep you organized because that is really what freedomRail is all about.