How to Hang a Heavy Canvas Painting

Secure heavy paintings using the appropriate tools.

A large painting adds drama and gives visual impact to a wall space. But big paintings are often heavy, creating concern for the owner that the painting may fall off the wall and be damaged or may injure another person. There's no need to pass up that perfect painting because of its size and weight. Several suitable methods of hanging heavy items, such as paintings and mirrors, are available that ensure solid support, while providing the owner with peace of mind.

Things You'll Need

• Hammer
• Stud finder
• Galvanized nail, 2-inch length
• Drill and bit
• Wall anchor

Instructions

Using a Stud

1. Locate the stud behind the wall at the desired location for your painting, using a stud finder.

2. Decide the desired frame height on the wall and lightly mark the spot that represents the finished location of the center of the frame top, using a pencil.

3. Stretch the picture hanging wire, located across the back of the picture frame, up at the center point until it's taught and measure the distance between the wire and the top of the frame. Record the measurement in inches.

4. Measure down from the mark you made on the wall by the recorded measurement and make a mark, using a pencil. This measurement makes the appropriate adjustment in the placement of your nail.

5. Hammer a 2-inch nail through the drywall and into the stud at a 45-degree angle to the wall, with the nail head facing toward the ceiling.

6. Center the picture wire over the nail, allowing the nail to support the picture. Adjust the painting until it's straight.

Using Drywall

1. Decide on the appropriate wall anchor to use for support of the painting weight. Ask the staff at a hardware store or home improvement center for recommendations regarding the proper size anchor and screw for your project.

2. Determine the finished location of the top center point of the picture frame on the wall. Mark the spot.

3. Stretch the picture wire, located across the back of the picture frame, up at the center point until it's taut and measure the distance between the wire and the top of the frame. Record the measurement.

4. Measure down from the mark you made on the wall by this measurement and make another mark, using a pencil.

5. Drill a small hole in the drywall at the mark, using a bit appropriate in size for the anchor. Insert the closed anchor end in the wall hole and tap the other anchor end gently with a hammer until it's flush with the drywall. The inserted anchor end opens and spreads behind the drywall, ensuring support for your heavy painting.

6. Twist the screw into the anchor, leaving a 1/4-inch length at the head of the screw to hang the picture wire on.

7. Center the picture wire over the screw, allowing the screw to support the picture. Adjust the painting until it's straight.

Tips & Warnings

• Inexpensive stud finders are available at home improvement and hardware stores.

• Concrete or other surfaces require special anchoring. The staff at a hardware store or home improvement center can help you determine the appropriate items for hanging your painting.

References

• DIY Doctor; Welcome To Our How To Hang Mirrors and Heavy Pictures Project; 2011
• Apartment Therapy: How To; Hang Your Artwork and Not Screw It Up; Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan; August 2009
• Popular Mechanics; How to Hang Large, Heavy Pictures; Homeowners Clinic; Roy Berendsohn; November 2009
• Stellers Gallery; Hanging Art Tips; 2008