How to Choose the Right Picture Hangers or Wall Fasteners

Keep your mirrors, paintings, photographs and prints from crashing to the ground by choosing the right picture hangers or wall fasteners. The type of wall surface and the weight of the objects you want to hang are important things to consider.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Picture Hangers
• Bolts
• Drill Bits
• Drywall Screws
• Screwdriver Sets
• Variable-speed Drills
• Drill Bits

1. Weigh the object you wish to hang.

2. Purchase a picture hanger, checking the packaging for the maximum weight the hanger can support.

3. Hang heavy objects like mirrors or shelves with wall fasteners that distribute weight more evenly than a nail or screw.

4. Use an expansion anchor or a lead shield with a No. 6 wood screw for a plaster wall with a thickness of 2 to 3 inches.

5. Use a spreading anchor for drywall or a plaster and lath wall; it should be the same size as the thickness of the wall, and long enough to pierce both the drywall and the object you want to hang.

6. Use a No. 6 wood screw if you're mounting an object of 10 pounds or less onto the wood stud behind drywall. The screw should penetrate at least 1 inch into the stud.

7. Use a No. 8 or larger wood screw if you're mounting an object of more than 10 pounds onto the wood stud behind drywall; the screw should penetrate at least 1 to 1 1/2 inches into the stud.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're uncertain about the type of wall fastener you need, check with a local hardware store.

on 9/24/2006 A stick pin can be used to hang light pictures and objects. It is surprising how much it can hold and it leaves hardly any evidence when removed.

on 8/8/2006 You can use regular push pins to put up small pictures, even if they're framed. You'd be surprised how much weight it will hold. They don't leave big holes in the wall, and can be easily moved if you want to switch things around.

on 3/21/2006 If you are not using an official hook to hang a lightweight picture on a drywall wall, remember to place the nail at a 45 degree angle to increase the weight it can support, and reduce the chance of the picture falling.

on 11/22/2005 There are now some 4-way adjustable and locking picture hangers. They are from Hangers & Hangman.

These hangers let you position your pictures horizontally and vertically without having to take them off the wall. You simply turn a screw!

on 11/22/2005 Wrap a small piece of masking tape around the center of the wire to prevent it from slipping.