Archiving a collection of your possessions in secure display cases is important. However, building a display case like glass shelves for trophies, silverware, and jewellery requires a process. Different types of materials are involved, but acrylic and wooden display cases are commonly made by manufacturers. If you get a wooden display, you want to ensure it’s been coated with a layer of traditional decking oil for longevity. You can also make DIY display cases if you understand basic design concepts. Usually, home decor enthusiasts use different elements that reflect their personality when making display cases. These are some ways of making durable display cases for your collections.

What is a Display Case?

Put simply, a display case is a box, just like your bedroom wardrobe or kitchen shelf, but it has a transparent exterior cover that showcases every item inside it. Usually, a clear glass (plexiglass) hangs on the wooden panels and doors for people to see what the display case contains. Apart from the many installation processes, you must also be careful when fixing the glass on a wood display case.

Choosing Different Materials for Your Display Case

Some of the materials for building a display case include a hammer, glass sheets, timer, nail sets, sandpaper (100 grit), plywood, and paints. Other items include door handles, light bulbs (optional), glass panels, wood glue, table saw, a high quality interior furniture stain and a measuring tape. In addition, you will need to wear personal protective equipment when building a display box. After getting all the items that you need for the display case, ensure that you know the right measurements before cutting them.

What is the Process?

For the glass component, regular window glass is suitable because it’s cost-effect. Unlike the regular glass that causes serious injuries when it shatters, the tempered glass is safe. However, tempered glass is a more expensive alternative for your display case, and they are ordered to size when you buy them.

Don’t forget to consider the area’s dimension where your display case will stay. This dimension will help to sketch a suitable pattern for the display box. The basic processes are having a sketch of the wood display case, and writing the dimensions in inches. The width, depth, and length of your display case should have extra inches. 

Normally, square and rectangle dimensions are used for constructing wood display cases. You’ll have to use strong wood materials for the base of your cabinet. After selecting the wood for the display case, mark the dimensions with a pen or chalk. Cut the materials into pieces, and according to your specifications.

You’ll need some nail sets to hold the pieces of wooden boards, and panels after cutting them with the hand saw. When the base of your display case is 10 inches, use 9-inch wood for the panels. Also, you’ll need 1-by-1-inch boards as dividers to hold the items that will be inside the display case. After getting all the cut-to-size wood, apply some coats with a paintbrush and allow them to dry. The initial coat will not be enough; so, you can apply a second coat and allow it to dry again.

Install glass panels carefully after attaching these frames to the boards with nails or screws. Also, wearing a pair of hang gloves can protect you from injuries during the installation process. Secure the glass panels with some bead of silicone adhesive or wood glue, and allow to dry.

Since the glass panel allows anyone to see inside the shelves of your display case, adding a light fixture isn’t a bad idea. Naturally, lights provide illumination for people to appreciate what the transparent glass covers. Also, attaching the frame edges to the base of your display case with nails can hold the whole structure firmly. After attaching all the components; simply screw the handles to your display case, and it’s ready for use.