A nail driven into a sturdy wall might be enough to hang shelves, lights and other pieces of furniture. However, sometimes a nail is not enough and dowels and screws must be used to secure the object to the wall or ceiling. There are tons of different types of dowels and screws, so choose the ones that are right for you and install them using the right tools.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Choosing the tiles
Step 1. First of all you need to understand if, to hang the object in question, you need dowels or you can use a nail
If the object is too heavy or the wall is not very resistant, it is better to use dowels and screws.
Hanging on a load-bearing wall is always preferable. Some walls, particularly if they are made of plasterboard, are not designed to support large and heavy objects alone
Step 2. Buy a set of universal anchors if the object you need to hang weighs less than 7 kg
If that's the case for you, universal dowels will do just fine. If possible, buy complementary dowels and screws, in order to be sure that one is suitable for the other.
- If plugs and screws are sold separately, test the screws by inserting one into a plug. If it goes well inside and protrudes on the other side by a couple of millimeters, the screw is fine for that dowel.
- These universal wall plugs and screws are often found in hanging object mounting kits.
Step 3. Choose butterfly anchors if you are hanging light objects, such as pictures, in hollow walls
Once placed in the panel or plasterboard, the dowel will open perpendicular to the wall. There are also special dowels for plasterboard that open like umbrellas once inside the wall.
Step 4. Choose hammer blocks for heavier items
Buy a set that also includes steel screws. This is the best solution for hanging furnishing accessories on wooden beams, window frames and wall coverings.
Once the dowel is screwed into the wall, you will need to hammer to get the rest of the screw in
Step 5. Use heavy duty anchors for loads up to 200kg
Unlike the other screws, here on the head there is a bolt. After inserting the dowel, the bolt is tightened and the dowel maintains a firm grip on the surrounding material.
Step 6. Buy some fisher anchor anchors to hang items from the ceiling
Unlike the other anchoring systems, these have two metal wings. Hold them closed and push the dowel through the ceiling. The wings will open against the internal ceiling material when you screw in the screw.
Part 2 of 2: Using the Dowels
Step 1. Choose the drill bit that fits the size of the dowel
In general, both are measured in mm. For example, a 3mm drill bit is used with a 3mm dowel. You can place them side by side to compare them and make sure the measurement is correct.
If you don't have a drill, look for a dowel-sized nail and drive it into the wall to create the pilot hole
Step 2. Determine the exact point where you want to hang the object
Unlike nail holes, dowels are pretty ugly to look at, and the holes will need to be grouted if you don't use them.
Step 3. Drill a pilot hole in the wall using the right size drill bit
Make sure it is a little longer than the screw.
Step 4. Insert the dowel into the hole
Push the dowel into the wall until the collar touches the wall.
Step 5. Insert the screw into the dowel
Insert the drill bit into the screw head and screw it in so that it fits into the wall.
Step 6. Check if part of the screw is smooth instead of threaded
This is a special screw. When the threaded part has gone all the way into the wall, tap the screw with a hammer to push the rest in.
Step 7. Hang the object
Advice
- Set aside any anchors and screws that are left over from the mounting kit. You may need them in the future, saving the money you would have had to spend on buying them.
- There are dozens of models for each type of dowel. If in doubt, ask a clerk or someone who knows how to know if the screw-and-plug combination you have chosen is right for the job you need to do.
