Did you know that drywalls are made of gypsum? This fact makes one wonder how much weight drywall can hold.
If hanging heavy objects, such as a mirror, on drywall makes you anxious, you’re not alone! Many people find this process intimidating due to the fragility of both drywall and heavy objects.
[ez-toc]
It’s not impossible, though! In this article, we’ll show you how to hang a heavy mirror on drywall using four effective methods. Not only this, but we’ll also provide you with tips for mounting a TV on drywall. So, stick around!
How to Hang a Heavy Mirror on Drywall: Four Effective Methods
Before you hang a heavy mirror on drywall, it’s crucial to find out its weight using a bathroom scale. This way you can choose the most appropriate method that won’t damage your drywall.
Here’s how to hang a heavy mirror on drywall:
Use Drywall Fasteners or Hooks
One fastener can carry around 30 lbs. So, if your mirror weighs around 50 lbs, you can use two fasteners to support its weight. Moreover, when you use two hooks, they’ll keep the mirror from going askew.
Let’s follow these steps to do it right:
-Position the mirror on the wall and mark its center
-Use a piece of wood marked at the center
-Hold it tight to the wire of the mirror
-Mark the spacing between the two fasteners or hooks
-Measure down from the top of the mirror to account for the exact wire height
-Measure down from the mark on the wall to the same point measured in the previous step
-Use the piece of wood and a level to mark the end of the corners on each side
-Use a hammer to tap in the hooks
-Hang your mirror
Use Self-Drilling Drywall Anchors
A size eight self-drilling drywall anchor, also known as a threaded drywall anchor, can hold up to 50 lbs. Threaded anchors make a great option if your mirror weighs a little more than 50 lbs, but it’s safer to use two anchors screwed into studs. Make sure to use a stud finder to avoid electrical cables and plumbing pipes.
To mount your mirror with self-drilling drywall anchors, follow these steps:
-Take the measurements of your mirror vertically and horizontally
-Mark the center point of your mirror on the wall
-Measure down to the hangers or clips of the mirror
-Apply the previous measurements on the wall where the clips will be
-Use your level and mark the two spots of the anchors.
-Screw the drywall anchors into the wall using a head screwdriver. You can also add a metal strip instead if you want to spread the weight. This is great for very heavy mirrors.
-Screw down the nail into the anchor until you reach the required length
-Mount your mirror on the wall
If your two anchors are more than six feet apart, you may find a laser level easier to use than an old-school one.
It’s also better to use anchors that are designed to split apart inside the wall. Although they leave bigger holes when removed, they provide a more sturdy grip on the wall.
If you have drywall toggle anchors, you can use them to mount your mirror following the same steps.
Use Monkey or Gorilla Hooks
Monkey hooks support up to 35 lbs, whereas gorilla hooks hold up to 50 lbs. You can easily install both hooks on your drywall by following the same steps:
-Use your measure tape and pencil to mark the position of your mirror
-Push the long end of the hook into the wall
-Twist it into the wall until only the small coiled part is visible
-Mount your mirror
Use Metal Cleats
You’ll find metal cleats helpful if your mirror has a sturdy frame. Firstly, attach the top cleat to the top part of the frame using screws. Then, level the bottom cleat on the wall and secure them with drywall screws. Lastly, mount the mirror.
If your mirror is heavier than 30 lbs, it may be too heavy for your drywall and metal cleats. An efficient technique would be to use French cleats supported by studs.
How Much Weight Can Drywall Hold?
Surprisingly, drywall can hold up to 20 lbs of weight without the support of studs. However, using the appropriate mounting method is necessary to avoid making too many holes in your drywall.
If you’re planning to mount something heavier than 20 lbs, you should consider attaching it to the studs behind your drywall. You can use a stud finder to locate them, but you must avoid screwing into wiring or other installations attached to the studs.
Before you mount your TV or heavy mirror on drywall, it’s essential to determine its weight. For example, an LG 65-inch TV weighs around 60 lbs. Taking this into consideration, you should locate the wall studs and choose the most convenient anchors with that load capacity.
If the studs are too far apart, connect a piece of plywood to the studs. Then, attach the TV mount to the plywood.
Can You Mount a TV on Drywall?
Even though you can mount a 50-pound TV on hollow drywall supported by wall studs, we don’t recommend attaching full-motion TV mounts. That’s because they can easily pull out of the drywall. Instead, it’s better to choose a fixed or tilting TV mount.
Follow these steps to mount your 30-pound or 32-inch TV on Drywall without studs:
-Buy a large tilt TV mount, compatible in size with your TV
-Mark the center of the TV mount on the wall
-Install the TV mount on your TV
-Choose the mount track location on the wall and draw a level line
-Measure the TV mount hooks to determine their places on the wall
-Use four large drywall anchors that hold up to 75 lbs
-Screw them into the wall at the marked spots using a head screwdriver
-Use washers for a firmer hold of the track
-Mount the track on the wall using the screws you get with the anchors
-Mount your box on the TV mount track
The Bottom Line
Knowing the condition of your wall and its thickness, you’ll be able to decide how to hang a heavy mirror on drywall.
Moreover, the heavier your TV is, the safer it is to consider using wall studs to support its weight.
Now, grab your tools and get to work! Don’t you have something to mount?
We have discussed how to hang something on bricks here.
If you want to hang up a tapestry on the wall, you can read up on that here.
