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Trying to screw directly into drywall without using any type of dry wall backbone is not a good idea . Either the screwing will pull straight back out or it will mould sluttish after a few Day , and whatever was hung will derive crashing down .
A macho-man may provide adequate support , but these are seldom handily placed . Meanwhile , drywall anchors are low-priced , light to install , and provide the necessary security department to insure the dependable fixing of anything from lightweight photograph frames to hard cabinets .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
There are many different types of drywall anchors available , each with strengths and weaknesses deserving larn to facilitate you pick the best dry wall anchors for any DIY project .
1. Expansion Drywall Anchors
Expansion dry wall anchor are crushed - cost , easy to use , and among the most common fixing in cosmopolitan economic consumption . They have ribbed or serrate plastic bodies with a split down the midsection , and expand to grip a hole when a fuck is inserted .
Plasticdrywall anchorsare very various and can be used to hang pictures , mirrors , and small shelf . They are n’t just for drywall either ; expansion ground tackle can be inserted into cinder stoppage , brick , concrete , and more . However , they lack the strength of metal drywall keystone choice , so expansion anchors can only bear about 25 pounds , even when several are used together .
Expansion drywall anchor installing is childlike . A pilot hole is made in the drywallusing a drill , and the anchor is push in . A suitabletype of screwis then inserted in the anchor , forcing the body to grip the dry wall . Because the clutches is minor , they are ordinarily easy to remove by inserting a screw into the anchor , gripping it with pliers , and draw it out of the rampart .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
well For : painting , mirrors , and pocket-size shelves up to 25 poundsOur passport : Qualihome Ribbed Plastic Drywall Anchor Kit at Amazon for $ 13.99.This drywall anchor kit bundles 100 dry wall anchors , cope with screwing , and a practice bit together for appliance .
2. Threaded Drywall Anchors
Another popular small - price option , threaded dry wall anchorman can be made either from hard credit card or metal . They have a sharp item and an external screw thread that cuts into dry wall , so they can be installed using a screwdriver without any pre - boring . Some also split , like expansion anchors , to increase clench further .
Self - drilling dry wall anchors like these put up greater documentation than expanding upon ground tackle , with some rated for loads of up to 75 Egyptian pound . Care postulate to be make when installing meander drywall ground tackle , however , as over - tightening can cause the thread to damage the drywall and loosen the hold . Removal is simple : Just turn the lynchpin anti - clockwise to back it out of the wall .
Best For : ikon , mirror , and hold over up to 75 poundsOur passport : E - Z Ancor Twist - n - Lock Drywall Anchor at The Home Depot for $ 29.98.These threaded anchorperson are strong , budget - friendly option that make an hearable click indicating when they ’re correctly installed .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
3. Molly Bolts
Molly bolts ( or mollies for short ) are one of the most pop dry wall anchors for heavy items . They constitute a bolt and an out casing . To instal molly bolts , a hole is drilled and the casing is pushed through . As the bolt tighten up , part of the case expound and pulls it fast behind the bulwark .
This is not only very secure , but it also spread the warhead of the item being hung . This allows molly bolts to support up to 100 pounds . It also means molly bolts can be used for ceiling fixings , whereas expand and threaded wallboard anchors might pull free .
One slight drawback is that instal dry wall anchors of this type want a special circumstance tool , though these are inexpensive . It is also difficult toremove drywall anchorsof this type . Molly bolt of lightning either call for to be cut around , creating a enceinte hole , or forced through into the cavity .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
well For : Cabinets , curtain rails , and cap fixings up to 100 poundsOur Recommendation : Glarks Heavy - Duty Steel Molly Bolts at Amazon for $ 13.85.This various pack carry six rust - repellent , zinc - plated molly bolt sizes for a wide variety show of rise tasks .
4. Winged Plastic Anchors
fly credit card dry wall anchors ( also bang as butterfly stroke wallboard anchors ) are a comparatively recent innovation , and an interesting loanblend . They combine the low cost of enlargement and threaded wallboard mainstay with the add together security of molly bolts . Like the latter , they have a winged case that expand behind the card , though — unlike molly bolts — winged mainstay only demand a pilot hole rather than a peculiar setting tool .
The spread fender means these winged plastic anchorperson can be used for lightweight ceiling items like smoke alarms . However , they do n’t have the posture of molly bolt , so their weight capacity is limited to around 25 pounds . They can also be challenging to slay . The easy fashion to get rid of them is plausibly to turn out off the outer head and force the anchor through .
Best For : pic , little ledge , windowpane blinds , and sens alarms up to 25 poundsOur Recommendation : USonline911 Drywall Anchor Assortment Kit at Amazon for $ 10.99.This large number includes 30 blue - price anchor and screw combinations in white plastic with corrosion - resistant stainless brand screws .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
5. Toggle Bolts
Toggle bolt ( or drywall toggle anchors ) are among the potent drywall anchor types useable . normally made of rust - resistant , zinc - plat blade or unsullied blade , they dwell of a bolt and a duet of spring activate wings . These undefendable automatically when pushed through an appropriately sized hole and are then stiffen using the included bolt . The wings spread a load well , so toggle mainstay can hold 100 Irish pound or more depending on drywall strong point .
Although among the strongest wallboard anchors , toggle deadbolt can be fiddly because they need to be tuck through the angle bracket orshelf being hungbefore fix to the paries . Also , once opened the wing can not be shut , so the only manner to remove toggle bolts is to push them through into the cavity behind the drywall .
Best For : Heavy shelving , cabinets , bookcases , and tumid ceiling fixingsOur Recommendation : Swpeet Assorted Toggle Bolt and Wing Nut Kit at Amazon for $ 10.99.A useful starter selection of 24 metallic element on-off switch dash in three size : 1/8 inch , 3/16 inch , and 1/4 in .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
6. Self-Drilling Toggle Anchors
The drawback with most heavy - tariff wallboard backbone is that gob have to be pre - drilled , a particular dick might be needed , or they are hard to remove . Self - drilling on/off switch ground tackle overcome all these challenges .
Self - drilling toggle switch anchors are normally made of rust - resistant atomic number 30 - plated steel . A sharp bakshish plug its own hole in dry wall , and once inserted , a toggle cake drops in place behind the wall , allowing support for loads of 100 pounds . Loosening the screw will drop the toggle so it ’s possible the linchpin can be remove and reused . These are more expensive than most option , but they ’re arguably the best type of wallboard anchor for all - round use .
Best For : All - purpose , but especially good for heavy detail on walls or ceilingsOur Recommendation : Unvert Toggle Anchors at Amazon for $ 35.99.These American - made toggle switch anchors are long-wearing , corroding - resistant , multi - purpose solutions for heavy - responsibility mounting .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
7. Strap Toggle Anchors
Among the several type of dry wall ground tackle list here , yap toggle drywall anchors offer perhaps the best combination of strength and simplicity for DIY users with circumscribed experience . They combine a steel on/off switch with plastic ratchet straps and a threaded roof . They ’re very quick and easy toinstall in drywall , too . After drill a little pilot trap , the anchor is tuck . Then , the cap slides along the straps until it satisfy the bulwark . The straps are withdraw , leave a full-strength hole for fix the want item .
Most strap toggle keystone are shop for 80 pounds or more . This , combined with their ease of facility , makes them one of the best drywall anchors for TV backing . They are also an effectual roof dry wall anchor . Removal is a case of thin out off the head . The end will then descend inside the wall .
comfortably For : Shelves , intermediate - weight cabinets , drape rails , and TV mountsOur Recommendation : Toggler Snaptoggle Drywall Anchors at Amazon for $ 19.99.This shoulder strap on/off switch anchor is an light - to - use , versatile , and potent fixing for use on drywall up to 3 3/8 in blockheaded .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
The prices listed here are exact as of publication on June 18 , 2024 .
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Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
