Choose the Best Anchor

• There are many types of anchors for use with concrete. Choose an anchor that is best for the weight the shelves will support. A shelf that will support minimal weight, such as a shelf for small, lightweight objects, may be hung with a concrete screw instead of an anchor. However, shelves that will hold a lot of weight, such as a bookshelf, require an anchor placed in a hole drilled in the concrete.
  
  

Install Concrete Screws

• The installation of concrete screws is perfect for lightweight shelves. Concrete screws are available in home improvement centers. The size of the required drill bit is printed on the package label, in addition to the amount of weight the screw will hold. Pick up the recommended size of masonry bit. Use a regular drill or a small hammer drill to drill a pilot hole in the concrete at the location required for each of the shelf brackets. Use a straw to blow the hole clean of all concrete dust. Wear glasses, or close your eyes, because a lot of dust will come out of the hole. Use a drill with a screwdriver bit to install the concrete screw through the shelf bracket and into the pilot hole in the concrete.
  
  

Install Concrete Anchors

• Shelves that will hold books or other heavy items require the use of a concrete anchor. There are many different types of concrete anchors made for specific loads. Before buying a concrete anchor, consider how much weight the shelf will hold when it is full. Read the weight rating on the package, and choose an anchor that is rated a little higher than what the shelf will weigh when full.
  
  Choose a masonry bit to create the hole for the selected shelf anchor for the concrete wall. The size required for the chosen anchor will be printed on the anchor package. Drill the hole so the center of the hole is at the location required for the center of the screw that comes with the anchor. Blow the dust out of the hole with a straw while covering your face to keep the dust out of your eyes. Insert the anchor into the hole and tap it into place with a hammer. Insert the screw through the shelf bracket, into the concrete anchor, and screw it into place.