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ELEVEN WAYS TO HANG ANYTHING ON A WALL Hanging pictures on a wall is a task that goes beyond a simple nail-and-hammer job. While it might be tempting to use a thumbtack for a quick fix, making sure you have a secure and stable display for heavier objects requires a more considered approach. It's essential to consider the make of your walls, whether they are constructed from plaster, drywall, or brick, and select the most suitable hardware for those materials. Below are eleven essential items and their corresponding anchors or fasteners that will help you transform your house into a cozier and more functional home, whether you're adorning it with cherished family photos, tapestries, or a new set of curtains.  Before you do anything, though, here are the steps for safely drilling into a wall. STEP 1 Determine your surface. Most houses will have drywall, but many built before 1950 used lath and plaster, which is harder than drywall, brittle, and much thicker. STEP 2 Find the studs. Whether you're hanging a kitchen cabinet or a coat hook, your best option is to attach things to a stud. STEP 3 Check for air ducts, pipes, and wires. The easiest option is to use a professional-duty stud sensor, which often has settings to detect energized wires and buried pipes. If you're finding a lot of wires, cut power at the service panel before drilling holes or doing any disruptive work. STEP 4 Fasten the stud. Use screws, not nails, since screws can always be backed out with minimal damage if you hit an obstruction. Nails can go right through, and then you might further damage the wall surface when you pull them out. STEP 5 If you hit something: stop. Never push through, as there's a good chance that you're about to pierce some ductwork or ruin your drill bit against a metal protector plate over a pipe or cable. Back it up and try another spot.  FOR MEDIUM-WEIGHT ITEMS: DRYWALL ANCHORS A variety of these anchors are available, typically supporting 50 lbs. to 100 lbs., depending on the brand, fastener size, and drywall thickness. They’re strong enough for mirrors, towel racks, large pictures, and other items. You can use them in the ceiling, too, for hanging flower baskets.  FOR HEAVY ITEMS: TOGGLE ANCHORS Traditional toggle bolts are cheap and easy to use, but they don’t support a lot of weight. Toggle anchors with bolts are more heavy duty, holding more than 235 lbs. They can be installed in drywall or hollow concrete blocks, and cost just over a buck a piece.  FOR PICTURES (AND MORE): PICTURE HANGERS Hang anything from frame photos, pictures, and lightweight mirrors using picture hangers. These hooks can hold from 1 to 100 pounds. Simply drive the included pins through the hole in the hook and through your drywall. As a bonus these can be reused if needed.  FOR A MIRROR: MIRROR CLIPS Mirror clips are secure solution for hanging a mirror on the wall. The challenge with using clips on an oval mirror is knowing where to install the clips. Use hanger clips with an elongated screw hole that, once installed, can slide along the fastener.  FOR HANGING ON MASONRY: CONCRETE ANCHORS If you have poured concrete or block walls in your basement, you’ll need concrete wall anchors. Once set, these anchors can support a TV, shelves, pictures, or other items.  FOR HANGING CURTAIN RODS: WOOD SCREWS Windows have a header over the top and studs along the sides, so there’s plenty of wood framing for the screws to bit into. Driving screws through the curtain rod brackets into the framing only takes a few minutes, and you won’t have to worry about the curtains falling down.  FOR TV'S: MOUNTING BRACKET Televisions are becoming increasingly lightweight, but you still need the proper installation system to attach them to a wall. A variety of wall-mounted brackets are now available, starting at $15. You must make sure to buy a bracket that fits your TV. Some brackets are stationary, while others let you move the TV from side to side and up or down. Make sure the bracket is level when installing it. For more, visit regbookmag.com |
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