Hanging Heavy Pictures On A Plaster Wall

Ready to hang your pictures.

Hanging heavy pictures on a plaster wall.

Hanging heavy objects on the wall can be tricky and with all the options available out there downright confusing. How to hang heavy things on plaster walls using a wall stud. As mentioned earlier the wall stud is where the wooden lath attaches to the wooden frame behind the plaster. Therefore it s the strongest part of the wall and the ideal place to hang pictures from.

Hanging things on plaster walls is easy if you have a drill and screws. For lighter items simply screwing into the plaster with a 1 1 4 drywall screw is usually enough to get the job done. To hang really heavy pictures on plaster walls use a toggle bolt by drilling a hole in the wall pushing the bolt s wings into the hole and tightening the screw. To hang a picture on a plaster wall make a pencil mark where you want to hang the picture then cover the mark with a small piece of painter s tape.

If you can hang your heavy object in line with a stud and screw a long screw directly into the stud that s always the best option. Picture frames up to 20 pounds heavy frames and bulletin boards smoke alarms and doorbell chimes towel racks lightweight shelving and wall mounted mirrors up to and over 20 pounds. They ve been used since ancient times. All you need to do is pre drill a hole slightly narrower than your screws then use the drill to drive a screw into the hole.

Next drill a hole into the mark using a 3 16 drill bit before removing the piece of tape. These systems like the stas rail system are perfect for plaster wall hanging. For more help including how to install molly bolts read on. Even more so if you live in an old house with plaster and lath walls.

Screws and screws with masonry anchors for heavy items are your best choice for hanging things on plaster walls without picture rail. Then hammer a wall anchor into the hole until it s flush with the plaster. Hanging pictures on plaster walls with picture rails standard picture hanger hooks also known as j shaped metal hooks work well when hanging pictures on plaster walls. Metal toggle bolts can support heavy loads 25 pounds to 50 pounds in drywall plaster and hollow core concrete block.

Plaster walls are a much older style of wall construction. If you have plaster walls follow these general guidelines. They come in various sizes and can hold up to 100 pounds. Drywall installation is typically less labor intensive.

Generally speaking it s best to hang heavy pictures on a wall stud. Make sure you leave half an inch out of the wall so you have space to hang your artwork.