Mount mirrors , shelving , and frame art with our guide to drywall keystone .
Drywall ground tackle are contrive specifically for hanging objects , like shelvingor lite fixedness , from wallboard cap or walls . nail are too smooth to grip dry wall , leading toheavy objectsfalling off walls . While screws can grapple drywall , their little metal threads tend to tear through the material instead of keep back an object in plaza .
To avoid damaging drywall or the object you ’re trying to hang up , invest in dry wall anchor . habituate expansion , hollow - wall , or toggle anchors by pre - drill a pickle , tuck the anchor , then securing the object to the dry wall by driving a screw into the anchor . you could also notice self - drilling anchors that do n’t need a pre - drilled hole . Check out this scout to learn more about the various character of dry wall anchors and how to use dry wall anchors to pay heed mirror , framed artistry , and other favorite accessories .
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Types of Drywall Anchors
Before usingdrywall anchors , it ’s important to understand the unlike variety show . There are four common types : expansion , self - drilling , hollow - wall , and toggle bolt drywall linchpin . Each type of drywall anchor works in a specific way to encounter your wall - flow need . Unlike the other type , self - drill drywall anchor do n’t command a pilot muddle for installing , so no drill is needed to establish them .
1. Expansion Drywall Anchors
Expansion drywall anchorsare the most common product used for DIY projects . They are small , plastic products with a conical flesh and raise mob or barbs along the length of their body . Expansion anchors call for to be installed in a original hole before the user drives a screw into the anchor . The screw force the shank of the keystone to split and blow up , afford this style of backbone its name .
2. Self-Drilling Drywall Anchors
ego - drilling wallboard anchors are similar to expansion anchorperson in that they also expand inside the paries when a screw forces the stem of the anchor to burst and exposit . However , as indicated by the name , self - boring anchors do not require a pilot hole . The anchor has a astute , durable tip that allow for it to be driven into the wall without worry about a pilot hole .
3. Hollow-Wall Drywall Anchors
Hollow - paries drywall anchor typically have a pointed alloy torso with a spiked collar and a screwing that cut the anchor body behind the wall . This extend the flanges on the exterior of the anchor and secures it against the back of the wallboard . These anchors necessitate a airplane pilot maw for installment .
4. Toggle Bolt Drywall Anchors
Toggle bolt drywall lynchpin have a metal toggle that can be inserted into a pilot hole . Once inside , the spring - loaded toggle flips back into a perpendicular position to the strap or screw of the anchor . Tighten the shoulder strap to ensure the toggle is tight against the back of the drywall , then put in a screw to secure the mark physical object to the dry wall .
How to Use Drywall Anchors
What You’ll Need:
Step 1: Measure Location
Before installing anchors , you need to knowwhere the target will be hungon the wall or ceiling . apply a tape measure and pencil to quantify and mark the correct billet for each drywall anchor based on your preference . For example , you might desire to center a mirror on a minor rampart or position a telecasting mount off to one side of the elbow room where the couch is located . You should also take this opportunity to habituate a level and gibe to see if yourmarks are levelbefore making any holes in the drywall .
When flow anything over a hearth , check that the heat generated by the fire wo n’t damage it . This is especially important for video .
Step 2: Drill Pilot Holes
Unless you are using ego - drilling anchorman , you will need to bore pilot holes before you could set up dry wall anchors . Check the drywall anchor package or manufacturer ’s web site for details to determine the size drill routine you need for the airplane pilot mess . Insert the drill second into the drill , then line it up with the first anchor point notice on the paries or roof . Squeeze the trigger to start the recitation , then gradually drive the drill bit through the rampart .
Step 3: Install Drywall Anchors
If you ’re using self - drilling mainstay , insert the driver bit into the drywall anchor and position the tip of the mainstay against the pronounced point of the rampart . Squeeze the trigger to start the rotation of the drill minute while applying pressure to the anchor in social club to drive it into the wall .
Expansion lynchpin and empty - wall anchor involve to be line up with the pilot hole . Once aligned , only use a pound or mallet to lightly excise each anchorperson to drive them into the jam . likewise , you need to infix a toggle bolt of lightning keystone through the pilot hole , though you should n’t need to use a malleus .
If you ’re using a toggle bolt anchor with a strap , then once the on/off switch is inside the wall , pull the shoulder strap towards you while vertical to it . skid the anchor collar along the strap until it sit around securely in the pilot hole . Snap off and throw away the fictile strap .
However , if you are installing a shag - character toggle bolt , you will need to thread the screw through the mounting mess or mount angle bracket of the item you ’re installing before you’re able to wind it part right smart into the spring - loaded toggle . After threading it into the toggle switch , close up the toggle down and introduce it into the pilot hole until the toggle springs back into a vertical situation to the screw . Tighten the shtup to stop up the toggle to the drywall and to stop up the object to the wallboard ground tackle .
Step 4: Secure Target Item to the Drywall
If you use a screw - type toggle bolt anchor , your item will be assure to the wall when you instal the anchors . If you use any other type of mainstay , you need to secure the item to the wall after installing the anchors .
For expansion , hollow - wall , ego - drilling , and strap - fashion on/off switch lynchpin , you should have one or more anchors presently installed in the wall . To secure the item to the drywall , thread a screw of the appropriate size through the mounting home base , climb wall bracket , or mounting hole of the token you want to pay heed , then line it up with the first drywall anchorperson .
Use anelectric screwdriver , Mandrillus leucophaeus / equipment driver , or an wallop number one wood to drive the screwing into the drywall anchor . ingeminate this process with all remain jailor to batten down the target to the wall . Keep in mind that over - tighten the screws can damage the bulwark or damage the dry wall anchors .
Selecting the Right Drywall Anchors
When hang a lightweight accessary , the accurate drywall anchors you habituate are n’t that important because the object being supported does n’t have enough weightiness to damage the wallboard or pull the anchor out of the paries . However , if you’reinstalling something like shelvesor aTV mount , it ’s important to find drywall anchor that are rated for slimly more than the existent exercising weight of the point . Otherwise , the drywall mainstay could break down under the weight unit , or they might not provide enough stability to preclude being pulled out of the wall .
Check the package for the advocate weight terminal point or call for a storage employee for more data if the weighting demarcation is n’t listed . You might also be able to find this data on the manufacturer ’s website . If your lookup does n’t change state up a whole answer , choose a different wallboard anchor merchandise with leisurely - to - acknowledgment Cartesian product specs .
Frequently Asked Questions
Different anchors have dissimilar weightiness limits . Expansion anchors can hold up to 25 pounds , Molly bolts go as high as 50 Irish punt , metal toggle anchors can hold up to 150 pounds , and specialty anchors are uncommitted for eminent weight .
You may not need wallboard anchors if there ’s a stud where you want to hang something . Never use them in the ceiling unless they ’re specifically made for that role . Avoid expanse near outlets and light switches .
Metal drywall anchors are generally potent than plastic one , but are usually more expensive .
