Writing Home More Content Articles for Sale Contact Me

How to Properly Use Drywall Anchors

Hanging valuable portraits, paintings, wall sconces, and even air conditioning and heating vents can be a pain if you don't do it right the first time. One way to keep your valuables on the wall or ceiling where they belong is to use drywall anchors. Here are some great tips for properly choosing and installing drywall anchors.

An anchor is used to fasten one item to another in places on your wall or ceiling where nails, screws, adhesives, etc. will not work. Anchors are often used on hollow ceilings, walls or doors, or on very solid surfaces such as concrete. They are also used in drywall when items must be safely secured for long periods of time. Anchors come in many different sizes and styles, depending on the size, shape and weight of the object that is being hung.

A common household anchor is a drywall anchor. Drywall is considered to be a "normal" wall in a home that's in between a "hard and soft" texture. Though nails or screws will often work with lightweight pictures or objects, it's much safer to use drywall anchors with your valuable portraits or paintings as well as heavier objects.

Types of Drywall Anchors and How to Use Them

There are several types of drywall anchors; some are stronger and more durable than others. Use your best judgment and consider the quality of the anchor as well as the value of the item you will hang before choosing a drywall anchor.

Plastic Expansion Anchors

Plastic expansion anchors are often used in drywall, but they are not the strongest. Plastic can break easily as it ages and as the weight of an object pulls on it. For the greatest strength, choose the large plastic anchors with heavy "ribs" that can give a better grip and hold larger screws.

To install a plastic expansion anchor, drill a hole using a drill or an awl. Next, press the anchor into the hole and tap it with a hammer until the anchor is flush with the drywall. Be sure the hole is not too small, or the anchor could collapse when tapped.

Tips for Plastic Expansion Anchors

Use plastic anchors only when the load is light with a pulling force that will be perpendicular to the anchor. With heavier items, use two anchors and two screws in each corner or for the mid-section to give added strength. Also, never use plastic drywall anchors to hang items from the ceiling. This can be dangerous.

Winged Plastic Anchors

This is another type of plastic drywall anchor that provides more strength than the plastic expansion anchors, but costs less than metal drywall anchors. To install these, drill a hole in the drywall. Be sure the hole is the proper size to put the anchor through it snuggly, but not too tight. Next, fold the anchor's wings in and push the anchor into the hole.

You'll have a special pointed tool that comes with the anchors to assist with pushing the center of the wings out so they will expand properly in the wall. Once you are sure the wings have expanded properly, install the screw into the anchor.

Threaded Drywall Anchors

Threaded drywall anchors are also called "Zip-It" or "EZ-Ancor" and are large, threaded and have a screw-like point at the end. These can be used with sheet metal screws (sizes 6 or 8).

To install threaded drywall anchors, punch a small hole in the drywall that's the size of the anchor's point using an awl. This gives a starter hole to make installation easier and more accurate. Next, screw the anchor into the drywall using a Philip's screwdriver until the head of the anchor is flat against the surface. You can also use a power drill to install the anchor. Then, install the screw into the anchor.

These are available in metal or nylon. The metal anchors are preferred for durability. Overall, the threaded drywall anchors provide a stronger hold than the plastic ones, but still should not be depended upon for heavy or very valuable objects.

Threaded Drywall Toggles

The toggles provide much more strength and are meant for heavier objects. They are a combination of threaded anchors and a toggle. To install these, screw the toggle into the drywall. During installation, a toggle arm will swing out perpendicular to the anchor while the screw is being installed. Then, the toggle will pull toward the interior of the wall until it is flush with the wall.

Though threaded drywall toggles provide much more strength, they can be quite difficult to install. So, if you must use them, you might consider asking someone with carpentry experience to install them for you. This will save you from much frustration!

For lightweight items such as towel bars, small paintings or pictures, and small clocks, using metal threaded drywall anchors or even some plastic ones should work just fine. With larger items such as heavy mirrors or expensive paintings, seek the help of a professional if you're uncertain about installing the drywall toggles yourself.

Written by Candice Pardue

Secure this content article about how to use drywall anchors for your wall decor website, newsletter, e-zine, or magazine. Add valuable content about drywall to your home decor website with the click of a button. It's easy to buy usage rights for well-written articles. **See below to purchase rights for this crafts-related article....

Need a Website? Get Affordable Web Hosting Here for your home decor website Starting at Just $3.95...

Get Started Here >>>