The easiest way to hang a painting is to drive a nail into the wall. However, paintings weighing more than 9 kg are considered too heavy to hang on a wall without an adequate support system. To ensure the painting doesn't fall off after hanging, make sure you choose the right tools and techniques for handling heavy paintings. Once you've successfully hung the heavy painting correctly, you're ready to hang mirrors, bookcases, speaker brackets, and other wall hangings.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Preparing to Hang the Painting
Step 1. Weigh the painting first
The weight of the painting will determine the wall fastener and what technique should be used to hang it on the wall. Heavy paintings and mirrors require special materials to match their weight. Use a scale to find out exactly how much the painting weighs.
Paintings weighing up to 4.5 kg are considered light, 4.5-11 kg are considered medium, and 11-22 kg are considered heavy. Check the description on the fastener packaging before using it because it usually lists the range of loads that it can support
Step 2. Determine the type of wall to be painted
Old houses from the 1940s or earlier tend to be plastered. Most modern homes use gypsum. You can also hang heavy paintings on brick, cement, and ceramic tile walls with the right tools and approach.
Step 3. Decide where you will hang the painting
Find a suitable place to hang a painting or mirror by fixing it on the wall. A general rule of thumb is to hang paintings at eye level. Mark the top of the frame with a pencil or piece of tape.
Step 4. Mark the point where the nail or fastener will be installed
Use a tape measure to decide on the location on the wall where you will hang the painting. The frame may hang lower once attached to the fasteners, but that depends on the type of frame used.
- If the frame has a D-ring or other metal ring on the back, you can simply measure the distance from the top of the frame to the ring. Measure the same distance from the mark made on the wall with a pencil or tape. Use a pencil to mark the new location with an X. This is where you will attach the nails or fasteners.
- If the frame has wire on the back, pull the wire up with a tape measure and measure the highest point. Measure the distance from this point to the top of the frame. Remove the tape measure and measure the distance to the initial mark you made on the wall with a pencil or tape. Mark this new point with an X. This is where you will attach the nail or fastener.
Step 5. Add a second point to hang the object
For added support, consider hanging a painting with two dots on the wall. This method is highly recommended for heavy loads. If the frame is hanging using wires, use two fingers to lift the wire at the desired hanging point. The further apart the two points are, the more stable the painting is when it hangs. Use a tape measure to measure these two points to the top of the frame and apply these measurements to the wall using a pencil.
You can also hold a piece of wood, about half the width of the frame, under the wire to determine the two hanging points. The two corners of the wood will be the location where you will attach the fasteners. Measure the distance between the wood and the top of the frame using a tape measure and place the wood on the wall, below the initial mark using that measurement. Use a level (height gauge) to make sure the two points are level, then draw a line along the top of the wood. The two points at the end of the line will be where you attach the fasteners
Method 2 of 2: Hanging Paintings on Gypsum and Plaster Walls
Step 1. Hang the painting on the studs
For heavier paintings, it's best to hang them on a stud. Gypsum walls have studs, or wooden supports, approximately every 40 cm. Locate the stud using a pole detector, or by tapping the wall until you hear a solid sound, not a hollow sound. It will be more difficult to find studs on plaster walls. So you should look for other methods if you have problems.
- If the frame is more than 40 cm wide, or exceeds the distance between the two studs in the wall, use a level and two screws to attach a small piece of wood to the wall. Make sure the screws are screwed in at least two of the studs, for added strength. Then, you can put nails or screws into the wood at desired intervals, depending on what fasteners you need. Now, you can hang the painting on the two supports that have been installed.
- If the painting is not too wide, use a bracket to hang the painting from one point on the wall stud. Choose a bracket that uses multiple nails to provide more strength. Use a hammer to drive nails into the wall studs, then hang the painting on the brackets. If you're hanging your painting on a plaster wall, make sure you're using a hanger with screws, not nails.
- You most likely don't want to hang a painting exactly on a wall stud. There is another powerful and reliable method of hanging a painting if you can't find the desired spot on the wall with the studs behind it.
Step 2. Use a traditional painting hanger
Traditional hangers may not seem like the most robust option, but they are easy to use and cause minimal damage to walls. A painting hanger with one nail can hold up to 11 kg, and a painting hanger with two nails can hold up to 22 kg. It's not recommended to go over the set limits for hangers, but you can use them for medium-weight paintings. You can use this traditional hanger on a plaster wall as long as it has screws or anchor screws.
Attach a traditional hanger with nails or screws to the wall at the desired point using the right number of nails or screws. Hang the painting on this hanger
Step 3. Use anchor bolts to hang the painting
There are different types of anchor bolts, depending on the weight of the painting and the type of wall in your home. All anchor bolts require pre-drilling. You'll need to pre-drill a hole in the wall before inserting any bolts or screws into the wall and hanging the painting. Anchor bolts and screws are more suitable for plaster walls. Using nails and hammers for plaster walls will only damage the walls.
- Plastic anchor screws are wrapped in plastic which will expand inside the wall once you attach them. For gypsum walls, choose screws with plastic wings that extend behind the wall. Wingless plastic anchor screws are most effective on plaster walls because they stick better. Make a hole according to the diameter of the anchor. Insert the anchor into the hole and pull it out. Replace the screw to activate the plastic anchor. Remove it again and attach the painting hanger, then attach it again to secure it. You can also remove the anchor screws to the desired length and hang the painting on the hook formed.
- Molly screws are more difficult to use, but can withstand heavy loads well. This type of anchor screw provides support by gripping the back of the wall. Make a hole according to the diameter of the molly screw. Insert the screw, then tighten it with a drill. The metal support system on the back of the screw expands on the other side of the gypsum wall as you tighten the screw. Unscrew and attach the painting hanger, or you can hang the painting directly on the screw.
Step 4. Provide support for heavy loads with toggle bolts
Toggle bolts can support very heavy loads. These bolts are spring-loaded and provide support from behind the wall. This type of bolt is also the best choice for plaster walls. To install it, you will need a wider drill.
Make a hole with the diameter of the folded toggle bolt. Fold the spring wing on the bolt and insert the bolt into the hole. Release it and the wings will expand behind the gypsum wall. Pull the bolt and tighten it with a drill. You can attach a painting hanger or hang a painting directly on a bolt
Tips
- To hang the painting on a brick, cement, or ceramic tile wall, use the same method as hanging the painting on a plaster wall, but you'll need to use a drill bit for the stone when making the initial holes. When drilling ceramic tile, make sure you stick a piece of tape at the desired point for the starting hole so the drill bit doesn't slip.
- If the painting continues to slip or tilt, lower it off the wall and attach plastic bumpers to the four corners of the frame. This will prevent the painting from tilting as the bumper will grip the wall.
