Use a toggle bolt or anchor to hang the piece on areas with no studs, This Old House says. The weight of the piece, and the thickness of the wall, will dictate the toggle size. The typical metal toggle bolt can hold 25 to 50 pounds on plaster, according This Old House.
When you don't have a stud located in just the right spot, a drywall anchor can fix that for you. That said, whenever possible: use a stud. Even if it means only one screw is hitting a stud, and you use anchors for the rest, it's always going to be better than no stud at all.
Flat mounted hooks and anchors may be able to hold up to 50 pounds, while drywall screws can hold about 20 pounds of weight. To support up to 100 pounds on drywall, make sure to find the wall studs, then mount the object using metal anchors and screws. Screws should penetrate wood studs at least 1.5 inches.
Drywall Anchor Types for Heavier Items
Expansion anchors can hold up to 100 pounds per pair on concrete, brick and masonry walls. Self-drilling anchors can hold up to 150 pounds per pair on drywall, plaster and other hollow walls.
If you can't find the stud even after drilling, there's one more technique you can try: Grab a wire hanger and untwist it, fashioning it into a right angle. Use your new tool to fish around behind the wall, says Rothman. When the wire makes contact with a firm object, that indicates you've found a stud.
As a rule of thumb, pictures that weigh less than 5 pounds can be hung with hanging strips, adhesive wall hooks or mounting tape.
Too few or too many: Follow the drywall manufacturer's instructions on the number of screws to use. Too few causes obvious issues, while too many means more mudding. Precision drives: Be careful how far you drive the screws if using a drill.
Anchors. Anchors are some of the easiest ways to hang anything in the walls without a stud. These work in different ways to keep screws from slipping out of their holes or otherwise damaging the drywall.
Drilling into a stud is a necessary skill for any DIY enthusiast or homeowner. Drilling into a stud guarantees a strong and durable attachment, whether you're hanging a large mirror, installing a bookcase, or mounting a television.
Stud finder app for iOS and Android brings the simplicity and effectiveness of a real stud detector tool to your iPhone or Android device. The app uses your device's compass (magnetometer sensor) to pinpoint metal studs, nails, and screws embedded in all wood wall studs.
A: You can securely install a large TV without studs by using strong alternatives like toggle bolts, wall anchors, or a wall plate. These options are designed to handle significant weight when properly installed, so that your TV stays in place without the need for traditional studs.
Heavy-Duty Anchors and Screws
Toggle bolts, molly bolts, and expansion anchors are excellent choices for drywall, while masonry anchors work best for concrete and brick walls. These anchors are designed to distribute the item's weight over a larger area, reducing stress on a single point.
Use a toggle bolt or anchor to hang the piece on areas with no studs, This Old House says. The weight of the piece, and the thickness of the wall, will dictate the toggle size. The typical metal toggle bolt can hold 25 to 50 pounds on plaster, according This Old House.
Installing a screw into a wall stud is the most secure way to hang a heavy mirror. However, the positioning of the mirror may not allow that to happen. In that case, you can use an anchor to provide additional support for the screw.
Use a Magnet.
Use tape or dental floss with a magnet attached and drag it across the wall to find the stud. This method works because the metal screws used to secure the drywall are typically secured to a stud. Wait until the magnet sticks to the wall and mark the location of the stud—it's that easy.
They are usually placed 16 inches apart on all walls. It can vary in older homes, but rarely would you find studs more than 24 inches apart. Windows and doors are also framed by studs for support. Above wide windows and doors, you might even find a wide header board.
Put magnet on a string - For harder to find screws, it may be harder to feel the magnet attract to the screw. If you hang the magnet from a string like in this video Finding stud with magnet on a rubber band it will be more obvious when the magnet has found a stud screw.