What is the best way to hang a heavy picture on a wall?

by Fire Places on July 22, 2010

The picture is actually a somewhat heavy mirror about 2 ft wide & 3 ft high. I don’t know how much the picture weighs. The wall is actually over a fireplace in a very modern home. I would guess that the wall is dry wall.

At first I suggested those picture-hanging kits consisting of a nail & a hook (maybe use 2 to accomodate the weight). My mother (it is her house) feels that "molly" bolts would be better. Molly bolts are these plactic gizmos that you hammer into a drilled hole and hold a screw which you hang the picture on.

Forgive me if my terminology is incorrect.


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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

smithtm979 July 22, 2010 at 12:08 am

whatever you do, using molly bolts or nail + a hook, make sure you nail them into the studs of the wall, and not just the sheetrock. Something heavy nailed just into the sheetrock will just rip it and fall. Got to find the studs!

juliettavirgo July 22, 2010 at 12:08 am

Molly Bolts are what are called anchors. You can buy them at any store and yes they are perfect for heavy pictures.

913364 from asbcglobal.net July 22, 2010 at 12:08 am

with tape

n4il_p0lish2000 July 22, 2010 at 12:08 am

just get a stud finder and use the studs and a nail or 2 should work fine.

johnsonkmma July 22, 2010 at 12:08 am

You do need to use some type of drywall anchor. You drill a hole and then insert the anchor. As you turn the screw into the anchor, the anchor will expand on the inside of the drywall, holding it very tight to the wall. You can get these at any home or hardware store.

lew July 22, 2010 at 12:08 am

with mirroe supports.see source

pauly July 22, 2010 at 12:08 am

Use the nail and hook but make sure to put the nail through a wood stud behind the drywall. I suggest you use 2 nail and hook holders. Once you find the wood stud (can be hard to do unless you have an electric stud finder) usually the other stud will be 16 inches to the left or right, which ever works for you. Good Luck

alicebnntt July 22, 2010 at 12:08 am

If the fireplace as a mantle you could just lean the picture against the wall. If you want it on the wall you really need to find a stud to embed the nail in> If the picture is to heavy it can pull even a heavy molly bolt out and then your picture and wall would be ruined

ever1wolf July 22, 2010 at 12:08 am

Depending on its size more than its weight, you should place whatever type hangers at the location of two studs, if they exist. Otherwise wall anchors such as the wing type that open once inside the drywall.

The Mirror or any heavy picture should be hung on two. It will aid in squaring and balance.

Rev. Steven

wi_saint July 22, 2010 at 12:08 am

what the first one said, and then with a big strong guy

diannabishop July 22, 2010 at 12:08 am

Go to your home improvement store and purchase heavy duty anchors. Depending on the size is how many you should use. There are anchors with the metal anchors, for a heavy object use those.

ArtDecco July 22, 2010 at 12:08 am

Certainly if you can find a stud and fasten to that it is ideal. If the spot you want to hang your mirror isn’t near a stud, you can use a hollow wall fastener. The plastic plugs won’t hold anything really heavy, but you can get wall anchors that go right through the drywall (a.k.a. your Molly bolts). With these anchors, you drill a pilot hole, insert the fastener, then tighten the screw (which comes with the fastener). What happens when you do this is that the metal bands collapse on the inside of the wall giving you a much larger area to distribute you load. This page has some great info with pictures:

tnroadwarrior July 22, 2010 at 12:08 am

Best choice is to find a stud. However if you cannot find one the easiest type of anchor to use in a sheetrock wall is a "zipit". There are other brands available but that was the first one and any supply store will know what you are talking about if you ask for them by that name. There are numerous types and sizes each with a different rating for weight to be supported. A zipit is basically a large plastic or metal anchor that screws flush into the drywall and then accaepts another screw from which the object can be hung. Use two of them spaced at least 6 inches apart.

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