A house becomes a home due to multiple elements, one of which is those personalised picture frames and wall pieces that have been lovingly preserved since generations. A stark wall may not appeal to all. Thinking about hanging heavy objects on wall without marring the wall surface? Read on to know about hardware for hanging objects.
So you’ve just spent a fortune to custom-frame a cherished family photo and want to hang it in a place of honour. You want to make sure it doesn’t crash to the ground. When hanging heavy objects over a few pounds, you can’t just hammer a nail into the wall and hope for the best … you need to nail into a stud. If there is no stud where you need one, use one of the many other types of fasteners available to secure the item.
Types of Fasteners for Hanging Heavy Objects
Let’s discuss about the various types of fasteners and know about how to hang heavy things on plaster walls, how to hang a heavy picture, how to hang heavy frames and hanging something heavy on drywall:
01. Nails for Hanging Objects on Wall:
A quick trip to the fasteners aisle at the hardware store will show there are many different nails for varied purposes. A common nail is generally used for rough construction. It has an extra-thick shank (the long part) and a broad head. Drywall nails have a thinner shank and a larger, slightly cupped head. There are also nails with ribbed shanks that grip better; these are often used while nailing something against gravity, like drywall to ceiling joists. Finish nails have teeny-tiny heads because they’re designed to be countersunk, meaning the head sits slightly below the surface of the wall. Nails with different coatings like ‘hot dipped galvanized’ are used when the nail might come in contact with moisture: the coating stops the metal from rusting. Tiny pin nails are best used for arts and crafts projects and for temporarily hanging paper holiday decorations on the wall.
02. Screws for Hanging Pictures:
A nail can sometimes pop out of a wall when the structure shifts, but the screw will stay firmly in place. It holds the nail firmly. This is why it is always better to screw drywall into studs rather than nailing it (although many builders use nails for this purpose because nails are cheaper). Screws are easier to remove later if you’re hanging something temporarily, plus you don’t have to worry about hammering your fingers when you use them.
Drywall screws are usually black and come in many sizes. Galvanized deck screws are longer, have a coarser thread (the ridges on the shank) and are suitable for wet areas. You can use deck screws on projects other than building a deck; they are often used for attaching cabinets to wall studs for example. Finish head screws have small heads that can be countersunk and are designed for some types of finish carpentry. Lag screws (also called lag bolts) are hard core fasteners designed to bear a lot of weight. They have a square or hexagonal head that needs to be secured with a wrench or a ratchet and socket.
03. Shopper’s Tip on Screws or Nails:
When you buy screws or nails for a specific task, visit a store that permits you to pick your own quantity. Why? Well, seriously, do you really need a box of 500 drywall screws, when your requirement is for 100?Apart from hanging heavy objects on wall, Give Your Home A Classy Touch with 13 Creative and Inexpensive Decor Ideas
04. Specialty Wall Fasteners To Hang Heavy Pictures:
Now that you know about the different categories of nails and screws, it’s time to discover the world of specialty wall fasteners. Use these to hang heavy pictures, art or shelves when no part of the object spans a wall stud. When you can hit a stud, that’s all the strength you’ll need. When you can’t, wall fasteners like toggle bolts and threaded drywall anchors will disperse the weight for you or grab onto the back side of the drywall after you drive them into the wall. Wall fasteners are rated by how much weight they can hold. Get an idea of how heavy the object you’re hanging is, how to hang heavy objects and then buy the wall fastener that says it can carry more than that weight.
Wide horizontal pieces hang better from two fasteners. Use a level to space the hooks or bolts six to ten inches apart.
05. Picture Hooks To Hang Heavy Frames:
While not high-tech, a picture hook can often get the job done. Put the tiny nail through the opening on the metal hook and nail it into the wall so that the hook is facing up. Picture hooks are also rated in pounds, so buy the right hook for what you’re hanging. They are a perfect fit if you are hanging arts or want to hang artwork on your walls.
06. Threaded Drywall Anchors for Heavy Objects In Drywall:
These anchors have deep threaded shafts and they don’t need pre-drilled pilot holes. Easy to install and remove, they can be used to hang relatively heavy objects in drywall. Make sure you buy them in the right size to match the depth of your wall; they come in half inch and five-eighth inch lengths.
07. Toggle Bolts to Hang Objects From Ceiling:
Toggle bolts come in different sizes and should be used when hanging something from the ceiling. This screw has a toggle (looks like metal ‘wings’) on the shaft that flips out, holding it securely to the back side of the drywall. Be sure you put the toggle on the bolt correctly – the flat part should be facing you as you put it in the wall. Drill a pilot hole that’s big enough for the toggle to fit through when its ‘wings’ are folded flat and then slip the bolt through the hook or object you’re hanging before driving it into the wall. If you put the bolt in the wall first and the toggle activates, the only way to unscrew the bolt is to lose the toggle (it will fall into the wall cavity which is no big deal). As you screw in the bolt you need to pull it toward you so that the toggle can catch onto the back of the drywall or plaster; don’t fasten toggle bolts too tightly or you’ll actually weaken the grip.
08. Threaded Drywall Toggle Bolt for Hanging Heavy Objects:
Threaded bolts with clamping mechanisms that flip out after you drive them into the wall, can hold heavy items with ease. The clamping mechanism sits flush with the bolt, so you only need to predrill a hole that’s wide enough for the shaft. Insert the bolt with a screwdriver or drill, and then press and turn the bolt until you see that it’s flush with the wall and that the arrows on the head are parallel to the wall stud. Tighten the screw to engage the clamp.
09. Molly Bolt – Spreading Anchors On Wall:
A good question to ask here would be – Why a ‘Molly’ bolt instead of a ‘Karen’ or ‘June’ bolts? Jokes apart Mollies are also called spreading anchors. This bolt has an anchor that collapses as you screw the bolt into it, grabbing onto the wall from the inside. Molly bolts come in different sizes. Some need pilot holes (those with a pointed end do not), but they all have the spreading anchor. The plastic shank stays in the wall if you need to remove the bolt.
10. Finding the Studs across the Wall:
The easiest way to find a stud is to use an electronic device called a stud finder. This device will beep or flash when it passes over a wall stud or ceiling joist, but some also beep when going over other objects in the wall, like pipes. For this reason, it’s good to double-check. Slide the stud finder across the wall and mark the spot where it beeps with a pencil. Then keep going across the wall until it beeps a couple of more times. Studs are generally placed 16 inches or 24 inches away from centre to centre (a builder would describe this as ‘16 on centre’ or ‘24 on centre’). Measure the distances between where the device beeped each time and see if they match this description. Also knock on the wall with your fist. When you knock on a stud, it should sound solid not hollow. Stud finders don’t work on lath and plaster walls so you’ll need to drive a small test nail just above the baseboard in various spots until you hit something solid.
So, if you have your favourite photo framed up or your newly bought wall decor to be placed on the wall, what are you waiting for? Read this article and decide how you are going to hang it up. Here is
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Author Bio
Huta Raval – An English Literature and Journalism Topper, Huta Raval has graduated from the L D Arts College, Ahmedabad. Post serving for 23 years in the NBFC and Public Library Sectors her desire for ‘writing the unwritten’ brought her to the creative field of content writing. Her clientele comprises of NGOs, Blogging Platforms, Newspapers, Academic Institutions, et al.
