How to Hang a Heavy Painting Without a Stud Finder

Hanging pictures without a stud finder requires an old fashioned, common sense approach.

Hanging heavy objects, like paintings, on drywall must not be taken casually; without anchoring a hanger into a stud, the weight of the object can pull the hanger from the wall, causing damage or injury. Actually a misnomer, as they are designed to locate metal fasteners such as nails and screws, stud finders are useful tools when trying to locate wall studs. However, there is a simple method for hanging heavy paintings without a stud finder.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• 16 gauge finishing nail
• Hammer
• Drill
• 1/8 inch drill bit
• Wood screws
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Locate wall studs. Examine baseboards and moldings, both of which are attached to wall studs with nails. Follow a straight line up or down the wall from the nails in the moldings. Electrical wall switches and outlets are also anchored to the side of a stud.

2. Measure the wall from the corner with a tape measure. Wall studs are most commonly spaced every 18 inches, but can range anywhere from every 16 to every 24 inches, depending on a number of variables including codes and builder diligence.

3. Tap on the wall with one knuckle, back and forth over a 3 inch area along the line where you think a stud is located. Listen for the distinctive change from a hollow sound, behind unsupported drywall, to a solid “thump” where the drywall is backed by a stud.

4. Pound a 16 gauge finishing nail, gently, into the wall with a hammer, directly over the spot where you believe there is a stud. Once the nail has broken through the drywall the point of the nail will contact the stud. Gently wiggle the nail loose from the hole with your fingers. A nail showing no resistance after penetrating the drywall indicates the stud was missed; try a new spot.

5. Drill a pilot hole through the dry wall and into the stud, with a 1/8 inch diameter drill bit. Drive a 1 inch long by 1/4 inch diameter wood screw into the stud with a screwdriver, leaving the head of the screw 1/8 inch away from the wall surface.

6. Slide the picture hanger over the head of the screw.

Tips & Warnings

• If a stud is missed with the finishing nail, vigorously rubbing the hole with a clean finger will sometimes blend the hole into the surrounding area enough that the hole will not be visible.

• Do not hang excessively heavy paintings with hook hangers. Install a wire, attached to small eye screws, spanning the width of the back of the frame.

• Do not use dry wall screws to hang heavy pictures.

Resources

• Charles and Hudson: Locating a Wall Stud