With the growing popularity of wall decoration with plasterboard, along the way, the urgency of problems associated with all kinds of wall objects and their attachments increases.

How to hang a shelf on drywall

Often, home craftsmen are faced with the task of hanging a lamp, hanger, shelf or TV on a plasterboard wall. But many of them, quite justifiably, fear that the wall from drilling and other manipulations will begin to crumble and crumble. Accordingly, all work must be done with caution, following the recommendations below.

Can I hang

You can confidently answer such a question in the affirmative.

Provided that the drywall is glued or attached to the wall and all technology requirements have been met, it is permissible to hang shelves or other objects similar in size and weight to such a wall.

What is the maximum weight you can hang on drywall


The maximum load capacity of drywall depends on a number of factors:

  • material quality;
  • reliability of fastening drywall to the wall;
  • dimensions and weight of loaded objects.

According to builders and manufacturers, the largest weight that drywall mounted on a wall can withstand is 55 kilograms.

You should not be guided by such a large figure in your planned work. As a rule, in most cases in practice, a comfortable weight in some situations can be 15 kg or five.

How to attach a shelf to a drywall wall


In general, hanging a shelf on drywall is a very difficult business, which becomes real if you follow the right approach. Competently organized and conducted workflow with the use of appropriate quality materials and the correct distribution of weight is then the key to success.

You can mount the shelves on the plasterboard wall using special dowels. Such fasteners can be different types, but one of their advantages is that when twisted into a wall, they begin to open, thereby forming a sufficient emphasis and taking on a significant part of the load.

What is required


To hang a shelf on a drywall wall you will need:

  • tools for manual or mechanical creation of holes in the wall;
  • dowels;
  • screws;
  • for heavy objects, anchor bolts will be required;
  • if necessary, a cementing mixture is used.

Do not forget that a large amount of dust is generated during drilling, especially given the composition of a material such as drywall. You will need to worry about protecting the room from dust, and also about personal protective equipment when carrying out such work.

How to fix the holding moment (fixing)

After drilling holes for fasteners, dowels are inserted into them, which go by surprise. After that, a screw is inserted into the dowel, for example, with brackets or hooks.

How to hang a heavy shelf on a drywall wall


You can fix a heavy shelf to a plasterboard wall by mounting to metal frame using special fasteners. To do this, you need to make a whole list of works:

  • The locations of the fasteners are marked on the wall.
  • Holes are drilled in the designated places, but not only through drywall, but also directly through the profile.
  • Butterfly dowels are inserted into the holes obtained and the screws with fasteners mounted on them are screwed.
  • Do not tighten the screws too much, the main thing is that they make it possible to withstand the weight of the shelf and the pressure it exerts on the wall.

How to attach heavy things to a drywall wall

Heavy items require maximum load distribution between all points of support. Given the fact that it is not recommended to drill a plasterboard wall in large quantities, there should be a minimum number of fasteners, but at the same time they should provide maximum reliability.


Anchor bolts are one of the most common fastening options. Using this method of fastening allows you to ensure a strong connection and the shelf will not come off.

To create such a mount, you will need:

  • Working holes are drilled at the locations of future fasteners.
  • Recessed holes are now being made in the monolithic bearing wall.
  • The next step is to insert the anchors into the drilled holes.
  • Anchor bolts can be used as anchorage or additional brackets are installed on them.


For small and light objects, the Drive dowels are used as an alternative. But this is permissible for those cases where the drywall is glued, and not held on to the frame.

Despite the seeming fragility of such a material as drywall, with the proper approach and adherence to all work conditions, it demonstrates sufficient strength to hold most pieces of furniture and other objects on the wall surface.

Useful video

Drywall - comfortable and practical material for quick alignment and wall decoration. But sometimes it is successfully used to create whole partitions. In this case, the wall immediately becomes dangerous for hanging heavy objects. Despite a lot of advantages, GCR sheets are still not ready to transfer interference in their structure and can quickly collapse. But this does not mean that only a medal on a ribbon can be hung on a wall made of gypsum plasterboard. There are options for how to place heavy items.

If you want to hang a heavy object on a plasterboard wall, you need to evaluate several factors. The very tolerance of GCR weight of gravity does not say anything - there are a number of accompanying conditions. It is important to understand that a heavy object can be hung on a plasterboard wall only under the following conditions:

  • The drywall itself is of high quality;
  • The weight of the element that is planned to be hung does not exceed 15 kg (even despite the assurances of sellers or forums that drywall can withstand 50 kg);
  • The drywall sheet is securely attached to the base wall.

If the wall and drywall meet all these requirements, you can start attaching the shelf. True, you need to take into account that a sheet of GVL will not withstand ordinary nails. Anchor bolts or a butterfly dowel with screws will come to the rescue.

Instructions for installing a heavy shelf on a wall with GVL

By exerting pressure with its weight on the GVL sheet, the shelf can gradually destroy the structure of the sheet. Therefore, installing a heavy shelf on drywall is not so easy. There are several ways to act. If a butterfly dowel is used, the algorithm is as follows:

  • It is necessary to apply markings on the wall how the future shelf will be fixed;
  • The holes are drilled with a drill, but you need to drill not only the drywall itself, but also the profile;

  • To fix the shelf, a butterfly dowel is used - it is inserted into the resulting hole, and then a screw is screwed in there;
  • The screw does not need to be tightened too much.

Another option for attaching a heavy object to a plasterboard wall is to use anchor bolts. In this case, the shelf is not attached to the "layer" of plasterboard, but with anchor bolts reaching directly to the wall of the room. In this case, you can hang the shelf directly on the anchor bolt, or equip it with a bracket.

GKL boards are very popular due to the possibility of quickly leveling the bases at relatively low cost. But if you need to hang the shelf on a plasterboard wall, significant problems can arise. In such a situation, it is required to choose the right fasteners depending on the weight of the suspended structure.

Methods for attaching light objects to drywall

If it is necessary to install elements that do not create a serious load, ordinary screws are used. There are two fixing options.

Method # 1

The simplest technology:

  1. The area on which it is planned to hang the object is determined.
  2. Based on the frame diagram, you need to find the nearest rack profiles and jumpers. If you don't have a detailed plan, you can use a large magnet.
  3. If possible, the position of the element on the surface is adjusted. It is desirable that of the two fastening points, one falls on the lathing part.
  4. For fixing, special screws are used, which are selected depending on the material of the frame.

A self-tapping screw screwed into the wall profile easily withstands small paintings and other similar objects

Discover wooden bar under drywall it is more difficult, for this you can use tapping.

Method # 2

This method is not difficult, but does not always guarantee the desired result. Algorithm of actions:

  1. A hole is drilled in the surface slightly smaller than the shaft of the selected screw.
  2. The space is filled with an elastic filler.
  3. After the solution has set a little, the self-tapping screw is carefully screwed in.
  4. If a small area near the surface turns out to be open, then it is slightly greased.
  5. After the mixture has completely dried, a light object can be fixed on a plasterboard plate.

It is taken into account that this method does not ensure the preservation of the position of the element if it will be influenced.

On a note! An excellent option is to use a dowel-nail, the sleeve of which is selected according to the thickness of the sheet. An alternative is to create an independent seat from a wooden chopik.


Landing on a solution, just like using ordinary dowel-nails, is justified only in the case of fixation on a two- or three-layer drywall, but in any case the maximum for such a suspension is 5 - 7 kg

Installation of decorative shelves and paintings

Hang heavier items using special fasteners.

Up to 10 kilograms

With such a load on the plasterboard surface perfect solution will use "butterfly". This option is a dowel, consisting of a plastic sleeve with two divorced paws on the rod and a threaded screw.

The product is fastened according to the scheme:

  1. A suitable drill bit for a screwdriver or drill is selected by the size of the sleeve.
  2. The mounting points are marked.
  3. The tool tip is directed strictly perpendicularly. The resulting hole should be smooth, without deformation of the edges. To exclude such damage, you need to correctly set the power of the drill.
  4. The legs of the plastic element are straightened, the sleeve is carefully inserted. It is not recommended to press hard, because the gypsum board can be damaged.
  5. To completely drown the product, a hammer is used, since there are two protrusions at the neck that fix the position of the part.
  6. The screw is screwed in. Due to this, the legs rest on the sheet on the back side.

After setting all the mounting points, you can hang a painting or a mirror.


To use the standard butterfly mount in a plasterboard wall, a hole with a diameter of 8 mm must be drilled

Up to 30 kilograms

It is recommended to fasten massive objects that create a load of up to 25–30 kg per fixation point using a special dowel - Driva. Its device is similar to the previous version, but the plastic element has the shape of a "snail". The part is equipped with a sharp tip and a thread located on the surface of the body. A special screw is used for fixing.

The fastening of a shelf or other object is carried out according to the algorithm:

  1. The installation points are marked, holes with a diameter of 6 mm are drilled. It is taken into account that the footprint must be exactly perpendicular to the surface.
  2. After preparation, you need to screw on the plastic elements. This will require some effort as the snail thread cuts into the structure. The screwdriver will significantly facilitate the process. The dowel neck should be almost flush with the wall.
  3. Depending on the fastening device of the attached object, installation takes place by installing and tightening the screw.

Installation diagram of "Driva" fasteners

It is taken into account that Driva is divided into categories: plastic options are recommended for gypsum plasterboard bases, since metal ones do not provide reliable installation in such a surface.

How do I secure a heavy shelf or hanger to a drywall wall?

Do-it-yourself installation of items that have a significant load is much more difficult. In such a situation, hidden mortgages are preferred. In their absence, it is important to choose the right fixing fittings.

Molly's use

Molly is a fairly popular solution that allows you to hang a shelf for books or dishes, as well as a small cabinet. The fastener consists of a metal sleeve and a screw.

Installation technology:

  1. Make sure that the threaded element can be screwed in without problems. A hole is drilled according to the diameter of the main part.
  2. A metal part is carefully hammered into the seat. This fragment has two teeth on the neck, which must be completely recessed into the surface, which will prevent the sleeve from rotating during installation.
  3. The rest of the fixing points are prepared in the same way.
  4. A washer is put on the screw, the object to be hung is screwed to the wall. Fixation is achieved due to the fact that several legs of the reverse side open and abut against drywall.

"Molly" has proven itself especially well for through fixation to drywall through a metal profile, when the anchor legs on the reverse side rest against the body of the metal structure

The last stage of fastening will require little effort. It is taken into account that the object to be mounted must be held until all screws are completely screwed in. If possible, installation is carried out directly through the back wall of the cabinet, if there is a special mortgage for this.

Through anchors

This method provides the greatest reliability if concrete or brick walls... Better to use metal options.

Process diagram:

  1. A suitable product is selected. Length is calculated from slab thickness and wireframe space data multiplied by two. The fact is that the deepening into the support wall cannot be less than the size under the gypsum board.
  2. A hole is drilled in the plasterboard surface required diameter, after which a footprint is formed at the base. For this, a drill is used.
  3. A metal sleeve is hammered in, which must enter flush.
  4. A mounting bolt with a cap or a hook is screwed in, on which you can attach the desired item.

When fixing through drywall to the supporting capital wall, a stud 8-12 mm thick is used, while the depth of immersion of the stud in the base should be equal to the distance from the gypsum board to the wall

The required result is achieved only when the right choice the size of the fixing product and accurate installation.

Very often the question arises of arranging shelves in the presence of plasterboard walls or partitions. This material is severely subject to destruction, and therefore unnecessary influences on it are undesirable, especially when it comes to large external loads. When attaching heavy objects to drywall, many factors must be taken into account, since neglect of knowledge about this material can lead to its destruction. Even when drilling holes, the wall can be severely damaged, cracks can go along its entire length, and even worse, it can not withstand the load at all.

First of all, such a factor is the maximum ability of the panel to withstand the load. For each item it is personal, you can find out about this when buying or look at the package.
The second factor is, of course, the way of anchoring. Given the ability of the drywall sheet, the characteristics of the load that it can withstand are described for the entire structure area. Accordingly, if the fastening is performed on one screw, then the structure is unlikely to withstand. Therefore, when attaching heavy objects, it is worth using several profiles.

What is this article about

Light shelf fixing

Let's begin to consider the effect of loads on drywall materials with the fastening of light shelves, which do not have a large effect on the structure of the drywall.
To fix such shelves, it is enough to use screws. How does the attachment to the plasterboard wall take place? We will analyze it step by step, and then we will figure out the principles of such an attachment, its pros and cons. Such a mount is also suitable for attaching hooks to drywall, for example, for towels in the bathroom, the main thing is not to hang heavy jackets on them.

Mount

First of all, you should pick up the screws. In particular, it is desirable to carry out fastenings using dowels, thus, the structure will be much better and more durable. The store will help you choose the right screws or dowels, telling about all their properties, what kind of load they can withstand, etc. Why will this method be much better and more durable? During installation into the wall, the dowel opens up, focusing on the walls of the hole, which prevents it from being easily dismantled from the structure.

  1. We make holes in the structure for mounting dowels;
  2. We mount the dowels into the wall;
  3. We use screws to mount hooks or brackets for the future shelf;
  4. We hang the shelf on the prepared place.

The mounting method is quite simple.

Find the profile in the wall and fit the dowels in it. Thus, you can be confident in the quality of the structure and its durability.

Pros and cons

Now it would be worth noting the pros and cons of such anchorage. Let's start out of the box, with the bad:

  • First, of course, this method will not withstand heavy loads (with the exception of fastening in the structure profile);
  • It is undesirable to use it for large shelf areas, even with a low weight.

And now a little about the good:

  • It will take a little time to install it;
  • Thanks to the use of dowels, it is quite durable with proper use of the shelf.

Related Videos

Arrangement of a heavy shelf

How to hang a shelf on a drywall wall with a large impact on the surface, namely with a large weight of the shelf. Accordingly, the method for a light shelf is not suitable here, because under the influence of a large mass, drywall will simply crumble and crack, which can lead to the complete destruction of the wall structure, as well as to the fall of the shelf. And from this it follows that the shelves should be hung on drywall in a special way, and let's look at it.

To secure such shelves, a special design will be required, firstly, it will be necessary to mount the structure strictly in the profile of the drywall sheet, and secondly, the use of special fasteners.

Instructions

  1. We drill a hole, completely drilling through the drywall sheet and the profile to which it is attached (use a magnet to find the location of the profile);
  2. We mount dowels into the prepared holes;
  3. We fix the fastening system with screws. Please note that it is required to tighten the screws to a certain extent, so that in the future the wall can withstand the load from the shelf, and also does not deform from the fastening itself.

Please note that the mount is mounted strictly on a horizontal profile.

Pros and cons of this method

Just as with the previous fixing, consider the pros and cons. First of all, let's talk about the benefits:

  • The main advantage is the ability to withstand heavy loads;
  • Mounts are individually matched to structures different sizes, up to the attachment of heavy shelves along the entire perimeter of the wall.

Not a single design is complete without its drawbacks, there are not many of them here, but they are still there.

  • Large expenditures of time and effort during the installation process;
  • With inept operation, and abuse of the structure, it can lead to the complete destruction of the wall.

Anchor bolt fixing - Secure!

One of the most popular fastening methods is the anchor bolt method. This method is known to almost everyone who works with drywall, but it is rarely used. This design is anchorage directly into the wall through plasterboard sheathing with anchor bolts.

This method of fastening is used only if the distance between the wall and the plasterboard is small!

Step-by-step instruction

  1. A through hole is drilled in the plasterboard in the place where the plasterboard rests on the profile;
  2. After, through the already prepared holes, a hole is drilled in the wall;
  3. The anchor is mounted in the wall, through gypsum plasterboard and clamped.
  4. We use the anchor to attach the shelf, or we attach a special mount to it, for example, a bracket.

This mount is the highest quality and strongest.

Features and disadvantages

Among the features of this method are:

  • Durability;
  • Ability to withstand heavy loads;
  • Practically relieves gypsum plasterboard from stress.

But there are also disadvantages, no design can do without them:

  • Installation can only be carried out when the structure is installed on a metal frame;
  • It is laborious in the arrangement, due to the need to provide holes in the drywall, and then in the building panel;
  • The cost is quite high compared to previous methods;
  • Under global loads, or an incorrectly selected anchor, it can destroy not only the plasterboard fence, but also the building panel.

How to choose the right mount

Here, naturally, many controversial questions arise. But first, you need to decide on the weight and size of the shelf, its design and method of operation. And only after that, make a conclusion about which method is right for you.

  • If you are going to equip a small shelf, for example, a shelf for a light picture or a photo frame, you can fix the shelf with dowels directly to the plasterboard;
  • If the goal is a shelf whose dimensions are more than 10 cm deep, but at the same time it is intended for a maximum of books, the method of attachment to profiles is suitable;
  • If heavy or expensive fragile items will be placed on the shelf, it is better to play it safe and fix it to the wall.

But if there is no uncertainty about how the shelf will be operated, undoubtedly, the choice should stop on the most reliable anchor method.

IN modern design interiors are often decorated with plasterboard walls. With the help of gypsum board, walls are aligned, niches, partitions and even cabinets with shelves are created. Working with drywall sheets does not require special skills, the material itself is simple, lightweight and economical, and the result always looks neat.

Features:

In fact, a plasterboard sheet is a solid gypsum board pasted over with thick cardboard. The cardboard protects the panel from cracking and spilling, and also allows screws and self-tapping screws to be screwed into the panel. When you need to arrange furniture after renovation, household appliances and other interior items, the question arises of how exactly to hang a heavy TV or a shelf, because the drywall sheet itself is quite fragile, it will not withstand something heavier than a photo frame.

There seems to be no way out of this situation., however, if you evaluate all the advantages and disadvantages of a particular fastening system and choose the right one, you can always find a way to place even the heaviest structure on such a wall.

How can you fix it?

Experienced builders claim that a drywall wall can withstand a load of up to 55 kilograms per fastener, it is only important to choose the right fastener. There are several types of fastening systems used when decorating a plasterboard room. Most often, various dowels are used, which are screwed only into the drywall sheet itself, without reaching the wall behind it.

Various devices allow the plastic, nylon or iron part of the dowel to open in the void behind the gypsum board and press against it from the back side, which significantly increases the strength of such an attachment.

Types of dowels that allow you to hang an object weighing no more than 35 kilograms:

  • universal dowel (withstands a load of up to 3 kg);
  • dowel "drive" (up to 30 kg);
  • dowel "umbrella" (no more than 6 kg);
  • dowel "butterfly" (withstands a load of up to 10 kg);
  • dowel "hartmuth" or "mole" (within 35 kg).

If it is necessary to hang an object weighing more than 35 kilograms, it is not enough to use a dowel as an attachment - additional installation of auxiliary elements is required.

  • Installation of mortgages. In this case, it is necessary in advance, even before installing the plasterboard walls, to outline the places where this or that equipment and furniture will hang. In these places, a wooden beam or shield is attached to the concrete, into which the fastening mechanisms behind the drywall will then be screwed in.

For all its reliability, mortgages have one big drawback: it is necessary to plan in advance the entire environment of the room in order to take into account where and at what height to fix the timber to the gypsum board.

  • Installation of a horizontal bus.Some sets of modern furniture sets include a special metal strip with holes for fasteners and folds for hanging shelves and cabinets. It is mounted along the entire length of the wall and allows you to more evenly distribute the load on the drywall.

It is also advisable to mount such a tire on a wooden beam or metal profile pre-laid behind the drywall, or use anchor bolts to fasten the tire itself.

  • Anchor fasteners.This type of fastener is only suitable for solid walls, and not plasterboard partitions... When installing the anchor, a small hole is cut out in the plasterboard wall, which allows you to drill a concrete wall with a puncher and insert a metal dowel into it, into which the anchor bolt itself is screwed.

This mount is the strongest and allows you to hang even the most heavy household appliances and massive kitchen cabinets on the walls. At the same time, it is also the most expensive in terms of installation time and cost of materials.

If necessary, place small decorative elements in the form of a mirror on the wall, shelves or pictures, you can use a universal dowel or the "drive" model. Before using a regular dowel, you need to drill a hole with a diameter of 8 millimeters, insert a polypropylene part and screw in the self-tapping screw itself. Plastic part during the screwing in of the metal, it expands and adheres firmly to the drywall.

Unlike the universal one, the "drive" dowel does not require a screwdriver or drill. It is screwed directly into the gypsum board without pre-drilling holes. Most often used plastic option products to prevent drywall from crumbling or cracking.

For hanging medium-heavy objects on a plasterboard wall, the "umbrella" dowel is perfect. Made of metal in the form of a hook or a simple screw, it opens up behind the drywall like the spokes of an umbrella and distributes the load on the gypsum board evenly. In order to install such a mount, you need to drill a hole into which you need to insert the fastener and screw in the screw itself. Such fasteners will a great solution in order to hang a sconce or a chandelier.

The butterfly dowel is made of nylon. When a self-tapping screw is screwed into it, it opens in two directions, like open wings, and rests on the seamy side of the drywall, for which it got its name.

The strongest are the "mole" and "hartmuth" dowels. The first is metal structure with side slots and a screw screwing into it. In the gypsum board, it is necessary to drill a hole with a drill, suitable for the size of the dowel, slightly bend the wings of the "moth" and screw it all the way into the hole. To fix the Hartmut dowel, you need to drill a hole with a diameter of 13 millimeters and insert the fasteners with the folded spacer into it. Then the dowel is pulled out, and the spacer part, opening up, is pressed against the wrong side of the gypsum board. It is necessary to fix it and break off the excess.

In the kitchen

Most often, the problem of fixing certain objects on the gypsum board arises when placing furniture in the kitchen. To save space, part kitchen set hung on the wall above the work surface. Even the lightest box weighs about 7-15 kilograms, and various dishes, food and other household items are also placed in it. Thus, the average weight of a filled kitchen cabinet ranges from 20 to 50 kilograms, depending on the material of the furniture itself.

Such a weight can withstand the anchoring, or it is necessary to make wooden mortgages in advance behind the walls of drywall in those places where it is planned to hang the upper boxes.

For medium-weight objects such as a chandelier, open shelves, or pictures decorated with a wooden frame, you can use a "driva" or "hartmut". For attaching small, lightweight objects such as curtain rods, curtains or wall Clock, it will be enough "butterfly" or "umbrella". Ordinary U-dowels can be used to hang portraits of family members or friends. It is also very convenient to attach the plinths to the plasterboard wall with ordinary dowels, since the use of glue can destroy the cardboard layer that keeps the gypsum in a dry pressed state.

In the bathroom

The biggest problem with fixing to drywall in a bathroom is installing a water heater on the wall. There are two types of water heaters: flow and storage. There should be no problems with the mounting of a flow-through boiler, since it weighs on average up to 10 kilograms and is mounted using dowels of the "butterfly" or "drive" type. However, such water heaters have a significantly higher price and consumption of electricity, therefore, storage boilers are most often used in bathrooms. The average weight of such a drive varies between 80-100 kilograms - not a single drywall wall can withstand it.

It is possible to reduce the load on the gypsum board by using the methods of preliminary laying or mounting on a pre-installed metal reinforcement. Both methods can be used only if you know exactly the dimensions and weight of the purchased water heater even before installing the plasterboard coating. If the repair has already been done, and it is necessary to hang the heater, a chemical anchor can come to the rescue. This method of fastening is implemented using a special chemical solution similar to polyurethane foam... Expanding and solidifying, this solution firmly fixes a metal pin inserted into it, on which an apparatus weighing 80 kilograms can be hung.

You can also hang the sink and fix the cabinet above it with the help of a "driva" or "hartmouth", and use, for example, a "butterfly" dowel for a shelf and a mirror.

In the hall

In the hallway, there are usually no heavy objects that require hanging on the wall. As a rule, all furniture is placed on the floor: a wardrobe, a bench or a shoe rack. A small lamp and a hanger are attached to the wall, but ordinary dowels or "umbrellas" are enough for them. In some cases, a horizontal bar can be hung, for which a preliminary laying or anchoring is required.

A beginner who has not previously encountered a solution to such problems, can easily overlook some important details:

  • When installing mortgages, you will have to photograph the finished work from different angles or draw up a plan diagram so as not to forget the exact location of their location. Otherwise, it is very easy to miss the specially set mortgage.
  • Do not hang very heavy objects on the dowels, even if they reach brickwork or concrete. Even the strongest dowel will eventually bend and deform the gypsum board, so it is necessary to use anchoring.
  • For any fastening, it is better to use several dowels or anchors - this way the load will be distributed more evenly, and the probability of the fastening falling out will be significantly lower.
  • If the drywall has not yet been papered and painted, you can clearly see the location at the joints of the sheets metal profile... Unlike the cover itself, the profiles are made of metal, they are less susceptible to deformation, so a heavy object can be hung on the wall by screwing the mount exactly into the metal base.
  • It is always best for a beginner to choose a more secure mount, even if you only have to hang a small picture or a shelf with a flower pot.


Close