Hanging Heavy Pictures On A Plaster Wall

Metal toggle bolts can support heavy loads 25 pounds to 50 pounds in drywall plaster and hollow core concrete block.

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. Even more so if you live in an old house with plaster and lath walls. Drywall installation is typically less labor intensive. Plaster walls are a much older style of wall construction.

How to hang heavy things on plaster walls using a wall stud. Hanging pictures on plaster walls. For lighter items simply screwing into the plaster with a 1 1 4 drywall screw is usually enough to get the job done. Therefore it s the strongest part of the wall and the ideal place to hang pictures from.

Generally speaking it s best to hang heavy pictures on a wall stud. As mentioned earlier the wall stud is where the wooden lath attaches to the wooden frame behind the plaster. For more help including how to install molly bolts read on. Screws and screws with masonry anchors for heavy items are your best choice for hanging things on plaster walls without picture rail.

Next drill a hole into the mark using a 3 16 drill bit before removing the piece of tape. Hanging things on plaster walls is easy if you have a drill and screws. These systems like the stas rail system are perfect for plaster wall hanging. 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.

If you have plaster walls follow these general guidelines. For pictures that weigh up to 50 pounds you can use 2 hangers spaced evenly along the back of the picture. 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. They ve been used since ancient times.

Ready to hang your pictures. Drywall is more common now and typically less expensive. 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. 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.

Then hammer a wall anchor into the hole until it s flush with the plaster. 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.