THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF WALL ANCHORS. Push the anchor into the hole and tap it lightly with a hammer until it fits snugly and its end is flush with the wall. It mounts on the wall with 2 screws and plastic anchors. Self-drilling anchors can be made from plastic or metal. This hardware can hold anywhere from 10 to 25 pounds and are typically used to hang picture frames, bulletin boards, and light mirrors. Some can be used with walls made from paneling or tile to help keep hanging hardware firmly in place. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. Qualihome #1 Best Quality Zinc Self Drilling Drywall Anchors. Plastic anchors should be installed carefully to prevent them from being damaged. To install, place the tip at the desired location. They have a hollow center where the screw can be put in place and come in different lengths to hold various weights. MOLLY BOLTS. It only weighs a couple pounds and can only hold a mx of 25lbs. When the nut reaches the other side, the spring-loaded wings open to provide a base and prevent it from pulling out of the wall. Most wall mounts come with the hardware needed to install on drywall, including bolts and wall anchors. Known as “molly bolts” or simply “mollies,” these metal sleeve-type hollow wall … Once the threaded drywall anchor is in place, insert a screw to hang the item and the job is done. The question is, What will you be putting on the shelf? The covering that is placed against the vertical wall studs in a home is the drywall. Use coupon code "TAKE10" to get 10% OFF! Instead of having ribbed edges, these are threaded like a screw and have a sharp tip that can puncture the surface of the drywall. Never exceed the rating. By contrast, the largest conical plastic anchors fail at 80 pounds. She earned a B.A. It needs a hole to be made before it can be placed and the screw put into the opening. They hold much more than your traditional plastic anchors since the wings fully expand once they’re inserted. A 1/8 toggle can hold 30 pounds on 1/2-inch drywall and a 3/8-inch toggle can handle a hefty 50 pounds or more safely. Buy Hollow Wall Anchors at Screwfix.com. shear in 5/8 drywall if the it is screwed in tightly and the pilot hole isn’t oversized (the instructions should give the recommended starter hole size, about 1/4 inch for most), the toggle type, with an expanding wing, will give up to 200 lbs pullout strength, shear is actually slightly less, since it can rip the drywall when … Test results. Qualihome Plastic Self Drilling Drywall Anchors. Once the screw is inserted, it pushes the walls of the plastic anchor outward to make a firm purchase with the inside of the drywall. They *can* in certain circumstances be used for drywall but even the must robust plastic anchor can only hold around 10 pounds. Is 30 lbs too heavy for plastic anchors and hollow drywall? The material is great for interior walls, but a nail or screw will easily slip out unless it has the additional help that an anchor provides. Force was applied as steadily as possible until we reached a peak load: Peak load before failure: 25.85kg! They’re actually meant for solid walls like concrete. - - - - Call 24/7 on: 03330 112 112 Call 24/7: 03330 112 112 Shop by Product Code Need Help. Some packages of anchors even have the correct drill bit included with the packaging. Find a Stud When using a nail or screw to secure something to your wall, make sure the nail or screw goes into a wall stud, not just the drywall. These drywall anchors look as strong … Tested: 180 Lbs. Using anchors is the second best method for hanging items on a wall. Typical, the plastic coil type anchor has about 30 lbs. It also covers small spaces between lintels and other joints to give a smooth exterior finish that can be painted or otherwise primed and decorated. Another type of anchor for drywall and other hollow walls, including plaster and lath, is a toggle bolt. Drill a hole to the recommended size of the nut. Wall anchors usually hold around 50 pounds of weight, however read the package of wall anchors to determine the appropriate weight those anchors can hold. An anchor should always be used if you are not using a stud to hang a wall décor, from a light canvas to a heavy tapestry. Toggles, anchors or molly bolts are surprisingly strong. The weak point in your proposed fixing method is the plasterboard itself. Are you wondering how much weight can a wall anchor hold? This molded one piece hanger has two curved prongs that are hammered into the wall. That’s a substantial weight before failure – 5 times the recommended loading! This can make them a bit firmer and able to hold heavier objects. Metal toggle anchors are also the only wall anchors recommended for concrete or plaster walls. Then use a manual or electric screwdriver to drive the screw into the anchor. The weight of the shelf itself is really not significant. hole, insert the sleeve and slide in the anchor piece. Play it safe and stay at half of the weight limit of the anchor, especially if you’re using them to hang valuable items on the wall. Fit the item to be anchored over the bolt, then insert the toggle and tighten. Drywall tends to be a 1/2-inch thick and made of gypsum, so it tends to crumble when too much weight is applied to its structure. Tests show they can handle about 80 pounds of downward pressure before they pull out of standard 1/2-inch drywall. When applying any kind of drywall anchor, you should understand how they work and which screw anchor may work best to put into a hollow wall. © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. Hangers and nails are another good choice. Anchors are rated to hold a specified amount of weight. Straight plastic anchors are actually cylindrical in shape. The Home Depot delivers online orders when and where you need them. This anchor held strong at 180 lbs., and we couldn’t turn the turnbuckle any more. These anchors feature a bolt with a nut that has spring-loaded wings that lock into place behind the drywall. For example, a Toggle Bolt or Molly Bolt can hold 30 pounds or more. These fixings can hold loads of up to 5 kg in plasterboard. I'm mounting it on a wall that I'm pretty sure does not have a stud and is just hollow dry wall. The key to using toggle bolts is to ensure that the wallboard is strong enough to handle the weight. Wall anchors make for a firm fitting anywhere on a wall. Winged plastic anchors have a winged end that goes outward and it has the general shape of a T. The winged end rests against the back side of the drywall once it is inserted, which keeps the anchor in place. If you are lucky, about 15 lbs if the strain is straight down. Molly bolts, which consist of an expandable metal sleeve and a metal machine bolt, can hold 170 pounds. It will, however, hold more load when installed in solid wall. While only rated at 25 pounds, the large plastic version we tested held 80 pounds before beginning to show signs of failure. Overall, plastic expansion anchors are the least strong of all the anchors discussed here, with actual pull-out strength of around 30 pounds in concrete but as little as 10 lbs in drywall (depending on the anchor and screw size). Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. The use of a setting tool – also known as a molly setter – is required for these fixings. The package will indicate the proper size drill bit to use. While the holding power of plastic toggles stops at around 20 pounds, metal toggles can hold up to 100 pounds on walls. weight capacity is for items hung flush to wall and may be less for those hung out from wall, like shelving No pre-drilling necessary - screw directly into drywall Do not overtighten anchor Audible click lets you know when the anchor is firmly set Made from metal, hollow wall anchors feature a screw and a body equipped with contorting fins. Follow this guide and you won't be asking if your TV mount will hold your TV - instead, you'll be too busy inviting your friends over to watch the big game on your big TV. A drywall toggle anchor can be very strong. They can hold between 25 and 35 pounds each when used in drywall. On the down side, it causes more damage to the wall than traditional picture hangers and costs more. So make sure you get the right size molly bolts when you’re at the store. SOME CAN HOLD AEVERAL HUNDRED POUNDS. You can use different types of metal wall anchors to support heavier frames. This guide outlines different types of anchors for hollow walls such as drywall and how they are used. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. These anchors are generally considered the least strong and usually only hold around 10lbs when used in a drywall wall. The anchor expands as the screw twists in, locking itself into the surrounding drywall. When applying any kind of drywall anchor, you should understand how they work and which screw anchor may work best to put into a hollow wall. Tip: Whenever possible, secure wall hangings into a stud. A slender heavy-duty toggle bolt can hold 30 pounds easily on 1/2″ drywall. GO TO A HARDWARE STORE, LOEWES, OR HOME DEPOT AND TELL THE SALES PERSON SO THEY CAN SUGGEST THE PROPER ANCHOR. Be sure to check the weight ratings the packaging. All Rights Reserved. Wall anchors make it possible to hang heavy items without worry of them falling to the ground and damaging a wall on the way down. How to use them: Bore a hole in the wall large enough to accommodate the toggle. Toggle bolts are typically used for heavier items but limits on weight loads can vary, so check packaging and use multiple anchors when necessary for even weight distribution. These high-quality drywall anchors come with a set … Funny in shape, they are strong in place. It locks the anchor in place so you won’t lose it in the wall while you insert the screw. 50 lbs. Just drill a 1-1/4-in. As a rule of thumb, the expansion anchor industry has established a minimum standard of ten (10) anchor diameters for spacing between anchors and five (5) anchor diameters from an unsupported edge. Her full bio and clips can be viewed at www.vegaswriter.com. A 1/8 toggle can hold 30 pounds on 1/2-inch drywall and a 3/8-inch toggle can handle a hefty 50 pounds or more safely. Then insert and tighten the screw into the center of the anchor. A 3/8″ toggle can safely manage a weight of over 50 lbs. The threaded shank is screwed directly into the drywall so they don't need a premade hole to sink into the drywall. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Natural Handyman: You Can Hang Almost Anything with Wall Anchors, The Balance Small Business: Learn Which Wall Anchor to Use. Twist the bolt to tighten while maintaining tension on the nut to keep it from spinning. Let’s see how much force we can put on it before it completely destroys the wall. Anchors are used on drywall between the studs so that pictures, tapestries, wood or metal hangings or other substantial wall décor objects can hang on the wall and not rip out the nail or screw that is sunk into the plaster-based sheeting. Thread the nut onto the bolt and insert the it through the hole. As with other anchors, installation is simple. If it shears then about twice that. Anchors are rated to hold a specified amount of weight. Need Help? They’re the best choice for use on ceilings, but in this case, toggle bolts have only 1/3 the holding power they do on walls, and they can’t reliably hold more than 15 pounds. More complicated than the Wall-Dogs, but much less of a hassle than the plastic anchors, these winged fasteners hammered in smoothly. in Journalism from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. There are several types of drywall anchors. Threaded drywall anchors are plastic or metal. As a professional writer she has researched, interviewed sources and written about home improvement, interior design and related business trends. For pictures over 20 pounds, avoid using plastic wall anchors, because they may not withstand the weight. Designed for thin, hollow walls that will not support the weight of heavy wall hangings. So they’re very definitely light duty and don’t have a lot of holding power. As you can see, this molly bolt is too big for my 1/2-inch drywall, as those four little wings should be pressed up against the wall in order to create that strong hold. Unfortunately, many people use plastic anchors in drywall when they shouldn't. These anchors can be made from plastic, nylon or metal. Drywall is made from compressed gypsum on a paper backing. The SNAPTOGGLE heavy-duty toggle bolt holds heavy weight in the open cavities of block walls, if there is 2" of clearance in the cavity. Never exceed the rating. Anchors that don’t require a pilot hole are known as self-drilling or self-tapping anchors. There are other design anchors of steel that will hold a much higher weight ratio. Play it safe and stay at half of the weight limit of the anchor, especially if you’re using them to hang valuable items on the wall. These plastic drywall anchors are sometimes known as conical anchors. These will not hold as much weight in a ceiling and should only be used for very light duty if at all in those cases. pullout, 50 lbs. How Much Weight Can Wall Anchors Support? Hollow wall anchors Well known in the building industry, these fixings are also known as molly plugs. When you're ready to start your project, shop our wide selection of drywall anchors. See its technical bulletin. Watch this video on how to install plastic wall anchors. Larger anchors that accept bigger screws are generally more secure. They’re overkill for most projects, but sometimes the job calls for maximum strength. The wide threads allow them to hold a huge amount of purchase within the center of the panel and support more weight without possible damage to the wall. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts). Plastic versions hold medium loads (10 pounds to 25 pounds) in drywall and plaster. If the anchors are installed too close together, it can cause an interaction of the forces, thus reducing the holding power of the anchor. So, you can drill into block wall without know where the cavities are located, and the anchor will work either way. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. All of these create a solid space to hang décor in a home. Pull it close to the wall with the disposable pull tool. For particularly heavy items, use multiple anchors to distribute the weight evenly and help prevent the fasteners from pulling out of the wall. It’s because those plastic anchors aren’t really meant for drywall. Similarly, hollow doors and walls made of paneling can use some help holding hardware. To install this type of drywall anchor, drill a pilot hole through the wall at the desired location. They can be threaded anchors, straight plastic anchors and winged plastic anchors. Best for: Shelving that will bear weight such as pantry shelving. These are also a reliable option and can hold up to 20 pounds. Press it firmly and use a screwdriver to twist the thin threads of the anchor into the drywall material for a secure fit. The weight of what you’re hanging is the primary consideration when shopping for the best drywall anchor for your project. A drywall anchor is a fastener designed to provide a strong connection when using screws to hang items pictures, mirrors, clocks and shelving when a solid stud isn’t available. Mount Location. They are typically rated for heavier loads compared to the common conical anchors. Expansion anchors are often found in picture hanging kits and are commonly used for hanging framed photographs and other wall art around the home. After the anchor is driven into the wall, you can back off the screw contained within the center in order to hang whatever you may like. Free next day delivery. For instance, expanding plastic sleeves are a good option. Kimberley McGee is an award-winning journalist with 20+ years of experience writing for a variety of clients, including The New York Times, Las Vegas Review-Journal Home section and other national publications. Toggles, anchors or molly bolts are surprisingly strong. Required Tools for this hanging a tv on drywall Project. Winged Plastic Anchors are good for your medium-duty jobs. These are intended for light loads up to about 30lb when used in hollow walls, to heavy loads of about 100lb when used in solid masonry walls. INC VAT EX VAT. Threaded plastic anchors can handle 110 pounds, and threaded brass ones stay in place under a maximum load of 130 pounds.