Wall anchors are available when the studs aren't in the right places, but not every type of anchor is appropriate. On the back of the shelving unit, take a precise measurement between the hanger brackets, measuring from the center of each keyhole slot. They accept standard wood screws. Tools required. In our example, this distance is about 1 7/8 inches. They should be attached to studs. They should fit snugly enough to offer resistance. I'm not sure that it's strong enough and I'm not even sure I hit the studs. Start by holding your shelf up to the wall to get a rough idea of where you want to hang it. Insert an anchor into each hole and tap lightly with a hammer to seat the pointed prongs of each anchor into the wall surface. Remember that the top of the shelf will be above your marks. Clean up all the drywall dust from the drilling and erase the pencil marks from the wall. So, I was reading about anchors and was wondering what you would recommend. Choose a height for the shelf and mark with a pencil the position on the wall where you plan to install the initial bracket. … Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Use a table saw to rip strips approximately 1-inch square that extend a partial or the full width of a shelf. Push the shelf onto the screws so that it’s flush with the wall, then carefully pull the shelf down … Don’t know how to use drywall anchors? Instructions Choose Position for Shelf. This is the method demonstrated in our example. Don't have any drywall anchors need to hang a 3 1\2 ft shelf. Enlist a helper if it's heavy. Fit a washer around one of the bolts, slide it through one of the hanger holes and screw it into the appropriate sleeve. Watch our DIY Basics video: How Do I Use Drywall Anchors? You can have someone hold the shelf for you while you use a level to double-check the evenness, if desired. Before continuing, test-fit the screw heads in the keyhole bracket slots. Pre-drill holes in them for the bolts that will hold them to the wall and screw them to the underside of a shelf. If you have trouble getting the brackets to fit over the screw heads, you may need to extend the screws away from the wall a bit more. Woe! In our example, this distance is about 2 inches. These prongs keep the anchor from turning when the screw is tightened. I'd like to hang a shelf in my kitchen. Make sure to position your shelf (or whatever you’re mounting) up to where you want it and then drive in the screw. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Toggle bolts provide the most holding power of any anchor and are the best choice for supporting a shelf. When it comes to hanging things from drywall, a simple screw often won’t do it. These are shaped so that the shelving unit can be slipped over the heads of support screws driven into the wall, then locked into place by allowing the shelf to slide down over the heads of the screws. Next, take your screw and begin driving it into the anchor. These work for lighter weight cases. These materials will provide the hidden support for your shelves. Bookshelves that weigh 50 pounds or more can exert enough outward stress to tear toggle bolts through the drywall. This line should be exactly parallel to the shelf outline, and run all the way across from one side outline to the other. A pocket hole is an angled hole drilled into a board to hide screws in your project. Be very precise with the measurement, measuring exactly to the center of the slot. Anchor screws allow you to hang heavier items on your walls or hang items where there is no wall stud to support the nail. Attach your shelf to the brackets with your remaining screws. On a ceiling, don’t use these anchors to hang anything heavier than a smoke detector. If you want the line to stay invisible, place the top of the shelf on the line. Choose appropriate hangers and attach them to the shelf. First gather the tools you will need. This helps you avoid the issue of having to drill large holes for drywall anchors and screws. It is quite important to center the drill hole exactly on the points you marked. An example is the shelf/ coat rack/ picture frame combination we've selected here. The anchors flare out and grip the wallboard. This will be the precise location for the first wall anchor. Today I installed a Wall Shelf in my home all by myself. The anchor itself was pretty good quality but I have plaster, not drywall, and I think I may have used too much force or the drill setting when I should have used the screwdriver setting on my drill and the anchor went through the wall and fell in. And if you have plaster walls, drilling pilot holes is mandatory. The procedure for installing them is the same, although they don't come with their own bolts. For the #6-32 wall anchor we're using, the matching bit size is 9/32 inch. Installing these shelves on the wall typically involves drilling holes in the wall -- which provides maximum support. Get stud finder, level, a long enough measuring tape, a drill machine, screwdriver and a pencil. You will need to drill a pilot hole in the wall for each of the two mounting holes you marked in previous steps. I bought some nice and big L-shaped brackets; I have a large plank of wood; and I tapped on the walls to find where the studs (hopefully) are. Tap on the head of the anchors to make sure it penetrates the hole properly. Tap them until the teeth on the undersides of the flanges bite into the drywall and the flanges are flush with the wall. (Don't lose this tool.) We place the books on the shelf. Step 2. 3 … Learn how it is done. Install the Anchors and Brackets Remove the screws and put the first bracket into place. If the shelf is on the heavier side and you weren’t able to find a stud, install a wall anchor. With a unit such as the one we are installing, the shelf and coat hooks should be at a height that is easy to reach. Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. You have to make a cavity under the lamp-shaped hole so there's room for the screw head - the cavity can be drilled, routed or … Enlist the aid of a helper to hold the shelf in position against the wall as you eyeball its location. Using a level, draw a discreet line in pencil across the wall to ensure that your shelf will sit straight. This will be the reference line you use to drill and install wall anchors and support screws. How to Attach an Earthquake Strap to a Bookcase and Wall, This Old House: Choosing the Proper Fastener, How to Build Closet Shelving Without Wall Studs, How to Attach a Load-Bearing Shelf to a Garage Wall, How to Use Plastic Wall Plugs to Secure a Bookcase to the Wall, How to Create Your Own Adjustable Shelves for a Linen Closet. In the next step, you will now transfer this measurement to the wall. Tighten it with a screwdriver. We begin by hammering in the nails. When screwing into the anchor, be sure to screw all the way in so that the little wings of the anchor expand (for some reason these anchors appear to have bad reviews with some retailers, but I had zero issues). First, you'll need to position the shelf on the wall. Then install anchors or … Choose appropriate hangers and attach them to the shelf. Line the widest part of the keyholes on the back of the shelf up with the screws. But if you can’t find studs, and your filled shelf will weigh 25 pounds or less, then you can use drywall anchors to secure it instead. Reverse the screws slightly to provide enough edge to hang the brackets and case. I share this, because for so many years I was too intimidated to hang … Our project uses a #6-32 screw, 2 3/8 inches long, which is a perfect fit for the keyhole brackets on our shelf. But if you want to avoid drilling holes, use an adhesive glue to support your shelf. We think the Monkey Hook Picture Hanger is… Read more about Best Heavy Duty Drywall Anchors and Hooks 2019 … Finally you need to determine where you are going to hand the shelf. Mark the holes for the hangers on the wall with a pencil. In most cases, tapping a small hole into the wall with a No. These anchors (metal or plastic versions) work great for hanging small shelves and other decorative items that aren’t subject to much use and don’t have to support a lot of weight. Once each screw is fully tightened, back them out so the heads extend out 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch. Then use a level and … These anchors provide strength to support the weight of what you are hanging. May 16, 2019 - Hanging a wall shelf unit using hollow-wall anchors is not difficult, but it does require very careful measurements. You can also make hangers from hardwood lumber. Hammer the anchor in until it’s flush with the wall. If you must hang something from the drywall, you can use drywall anchors. Be sure to place the anchors through the brackets if the shelf came with brackets. Hold the level against the wall at the height you want the shelf. They are attached to the back of the shelf somewhere where the material is thick and strong enough. Standard practice is to place picture frames roughly at eye level. In our example, this distance is about 23 3/16 inches. Drill a hole into the wall and push in the anchor. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, Carpenter's level (2-foot for a short shelf, 4-foot for a longer shelf), 2 Empty wall space is often filled with mundane artwork, but a variety of wall shelf units are available that are not only decorative but can also provide a variety of practical functions. On the wall, measure down from the shelf outline and mark a point matching this distance. You may find that a different size works better for your shelf unit. On the wall anchor reference line, measure from the first wall anchor location and make a second mark on the reference line, so that the distance between the marks exactly matches the measurement you just made between the keyhole brackets on the shelf unit. Drill screws through the slot on the bracket and into the shelf. As you tighten the bolts, the wings expand against the back of the drywall to hold the shelf unit securely. As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies. Pick up the shelf with the fasteners attached and line it up on the wall. Use the drawn line to help you ensure the shelf stays even. Corner brackets, attached It was sturdy, completely level, and I’m 100% confident it won’t rip out of the drywall as soon as I place something heavy on top. In most framing, the studs are positioned so they are 16 inches apart, measured on center. This will allow the screw heads to fit into their respective keyhole slots in the hanger brackets. Then we hook the shelf on the newly set nails - naturally expecting the nails to hold the weight of both shelf and books. The flat floating shelves have a weight limit of 15–25 lbs depending on the length you choose. Place a spirit level on one of the shelves and adjust the unit so the bubble is centered. There are several options for wall anchors, but the best one for this application is an expandable metal hollow-wall anchor, commonly known as a Molly bolt. Once you have your shelf and brackets picked out, you can decide the size and strength of the anchors and screws you need to hang the shelf. Hold your shelf on top of the brackets and line the screw slots on the shelf up with the screw slots on your brackets. Tighten the anchor screw fully, allowing the expanded metal frame behind the wall surface to expand and draw up tight against the back of the wall. They usually also come with screws and wall anchors (an all in one purchase). As you can see in the picture, a screw and anchor are used to fasten the support to the wall and there is a groove and screw on it (usually grub screw). Remove the bolts from the sleeves, fold the wings against the sleeves and tap the sleeves into the holes. Most commercial shelving units come with premounted hanger brackets on the back of the frame—this one uses a pair of keyhole brackets. Use plastic wing anchors instead. Fold the anchor's nylon wings together, and insert into the hole. By using The Spruce, you accept our, Measure and Mark the First Wall Anchor Location, Measure the Distance Between Hanger Brackets, The Different Types of Hollow Wall and Drywall Anchors, How to Install an Over-the-Range Microwave, How to Use Anchors to Fasten Objects to a Wall, A Chair Rail Gives Your Home a Classic Look, How to Install Wall Shelves Using Standards and Brackets. When you want to install a floating shelf, you’ll need a few things so that you can do your work easily. Hollow-wall anchors with #6-32 screws, 2 3/8 inches long. A carpenters level, screw driver, drill and drill bits, pencil and tape measure should be all you need to do the job correctly. Lift the shelf unit against the wall and move it to the position you want it to occupy. Conical expansion anchors are the worst choice, because the outward stress of he shelf can pull them right out of the wall. All that's left to do once the wall anchors are in place is to carefully align the wall shelf keyhole brackets over each hanger screw and slide the shelf down so that the brackets fit tightly over the heads of the screws. On the wall anchor reference line you just drew on the wall, measure in from the side outline a distance exactly equal to this measurement, and make a mark. But in many instances, this won't be possible, and you'll instead need to place the support screws in the cavities between studs. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. You don't need toggle bolts for shelves that weigh less than 5 pounds. As a variation of this answer you can use any of these cabinet shelf hangers, called keyhole fittings, (which can be found in your local hardware store):. Attaching your shelf’s brackets to the studs in your wall is the most secure option, and the one that you should take if you plan on filling your shelf with heavy items. Use a drill bit that is the same diameter as the end of the sleeve when the wings are folded together. This step is perhaps the most critical one: making sure the anchor for the second hanger bracket is spaced perfectly in relation to the first anchor. With a unit such as the one we are... Mark a Reference Line. With the anchors in place, you can now add the first shelf supports on the tile wall and continue on with the rest of the shelf installation. A variety of wall anchors are available that can do the job, but the best one for his application is what is known as a hollow wall anchor, sometimes called a Molly bolt. These can be most often found in bathrooms. Drywall anchors are rated for weight capacity, based on the weight of an object they're used to hang, says J.B. Sassano, president of Mr. Handyman, in Ann Arbor, MI. It looks good. The most secure method is to drive the support screws directly into wall studs. The most secure way to hang a shelf from a wall is to screw it to the studs behind the drywall. The most difficult part of hanging such a shelving unit is getting the position of the hanger screws exactly correct. 3 Must-Have Wall Anchors To Hang Like A Pro IMAGINE: We're hanging a shelf on a wall. Tighten the bolt with a screwdriver. Lift the shelf into position, working with a helper if necessary. The pilot hole ensures that the anchor starts its path into the wall smoothly and hits the location you want to mount it at precisely. Wooden shelving units can be quite heavy, especially if they are large and long, so it is important that the unit is firmly supported. Step 8 - Screw. Sheetrock has its own complications, and they often limit the way that a house can be decorated for those who aren’t aware of the specific ways that things need to be done. Th Make a pilot hole on the wall where the anchor will go. Turn the shelving unit That said, I'm nervous about the shelf falling. Question: I was trying to install a floating shelf and I used the anchor that came with it. Turn the shelving unit back-side up, and carefully measure the distance between the top of the shelf and the top of the keyhole opening on the hanger bracket. Some types of hollow-wall anchors have pointed tips that can simply be pounded through drywall, but we will be drilling pilots holes to avoid the possibility of wall damage. You can find these tools in your nearest tool shops. I had seen it somewhere once before however I can't find anything now I have an IKEA Varde shelf to hang in my kitchen; it's by far the heaviest thing I've ever hung, and the wall it goes on doesn't seem to have any studs at all (it's a short bit of wall dividing kitchen from bathroom). Drill a clean and precisely placed hole into each of the two wall anchor locations marked on the wall. The wider part of the keyhole should fit easily around the screw head, and the screw should slide easily down so the head fits behind the narrow throat of the keyhole. Level the shelf and screw in the other bolt. Weight-bearing shelves support heavy objects, such as mirrors, vases, books and picture frames. How To Hang Floating Shelves On A Plasterboard Wall - YouTube When satisfied with the position, use a pencil to lightly outline the top and the sides of the shelf unit on the wall. When they're installed correctly, anchor screws can support pieces that weigh up to 70-pounds, so they're … Use a hammer to make it flush with the wallboard. On the back of the shelf, precisely measure the position of the hanger bracket keyhole slots relative to the side of the shelving unit. 4 ways to hang shelves without studs wikihow how mount a shelf when there s no stud simple decorating tips on drywall that will stay you install anchors heavy stuff your walls installing duty using dry wall love our real life attach 4 Ways To Hang Shelves Without Studs Wikihow How To Mount A Shelf … Continue reading How To Hang A Heavy Shelf On Drywall … Select the appropriate size drill bit for the wall anchor used. You will also need materials like ledges, dowels, pins or hidden brackets. Insert the black plastic wing opening tool into the opening, and tap with a hammer until you hear and feel the nylon wings pop open. Bob Formisano is a licensed architect and builder with 30 years of experience in the industry. So if your shelving unit has hanger brackets spaced 16, 32, or 48 inches apart, it may be possible to drive the support screws directly into the studs. Tap the toggle with a hammer until flush with the wall. Place the screw in the anchor. Plastic wing anchors offer more holding strength, but not as much as metal molly and toggle bolts. Drill a hole through each mark just wide enough for a toggle bolt sleeve. Unless the wall screws are installed precisely, the shelving unit won't fit correctly. Use the hand drill to drill pilot holes into the wall for the anchors. Re-insert screws into the brackets and tighten until each bracket is secure. Hanging the shelf Glass shelf supports, as their very name suggests, serve to hang glass shelves. Place a carpenter's level on the shelf to ensure the shelf is exactly level. It exactly matches the position of the keyhole hanger on the back of the shelf. Using a carpenter's level, make a second horizontal reference line across the wall through this point. Adjust the level until the bubble is centered, and mark the keyhole locations on the wall. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. First, you'll need to position the shelf on the wall. To install the su… We smile and let go. Repeat this process for every bracket that you use to finish installing the shelf. We’re working with the 36” black flat floating shelf, so 25 lb gives us a lot of room to add things. Corner brackets, attached to the underside of the top or second shelf with screws, hold most units securely. Now that you have your shelf and supplies ready to go, it’s time to get to work!

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