You'll need to attach hooks to the ceiling if you want to hang plant baskets, paper lanterns, chandeliers, and other hanging decorations. You can even hang objects like bicycles from the garage ceiling to save space. However, carelessly installing hooks can damage the ceiling and related items. Depending on the weight of the item, you will need to attach hooks to the ceiling joists or use toggle bolts if you are going to hang them on drywall.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Attaching Hooks on the Cross
Step 1. Hang objects that are heavier than 4 kg on the ceiling bars
The crossbar is one of the wooden slats that support the ceiling. This is the safest place to hang heavy objects so as not to damage the ceiling or the object you want to hang.
- For items lighter than 2 kg, you can use adhesive hooks which are easier to attach. These adhesive hooks are available in a variety of sizes and are easy to remove without damaging the ceiling paint. Be aware that adhesive hooks only stick to flat ceilings and not textured ones.
- If the object is very heavy, such as a bicycle, you should balance it using two screw hooks.
Step 2. Purchase screw hooks for small and light items
Screw hooks are small fasteners that have one end grooved and the other end curved. These hooks can be purchased at hardware stores and are available in various sizes based on the load they can carry.
- Screw hooks are available in various sizes and types. If the item is small enough to fit on or through a hook, use a cup hook or eye hook.
- For objects weighing 4 kg and more, use strong ceiling hooks measuring 5 cm or more.
Step 3. Purchase a utility storage hook to hang very large and heavy objects
These utility/multipurpose hooks are larger than regular screw hooks and strong enough to hang objects such as bicycles. These hooks are attached to the ceiling joist like screw hooks.
You can get utility hooks specifically designed for hanging bicycles, called bicycle hooks. These hooks have a rubber coating that fits snugly onto the bicycle wheel so they can be hung, for example in the garage
Step 4. Find the ceiling joist where you want to hang the hook using the stud finder tool
Use a step so you can reach the ceiling, hold the stud finder there, and turn it on. Keep sliding until the light comes on indicating the pole has been found.
- You can also tap on the ceiling to find the bars if you don't have a stud finder tool. The area between the bars will produce a louder, louder sound, while the bars will produce a shorter, muffled sound.
- If you have crawl space or an attic above the hook attachment points, look at the direction in which the bars are arranged and how far apart they are from each other.
Tips: Ceiling bars are usually spaced 40-60 cm apart from each other. Once you find the bars, and you know how far they are and how they are arranged, determine the location of the next bars using a tape measure and determine whether they are 40 or 60 cm.
Step 5. Use a pencil to mark the point where the hook will be attached to the bar
Make a small dot with a pencil on the ceiling bar. Double check the point with the stud finder tool to make sure it is on the bar.
If you plan to hang 2 hooks for a large object, attach 1 first, then hold the item on the hook and check the distance required for the next hook before installing
Step 6. Use an electric drill to drill pilot holes into the ceiling joists
Choose a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the screw hook. Drill holes in the marking points so that they are slightly deeper than the length of the grooved rod on the screw hook.
- The pilot hole allows you to manually attach the hook to the ceiling without bending or breaking it.
- If the hole is too wide, the screw groove can't grip anything. If it's too shallow, the screw will be difficult to fully install.
Step 7. Place the pointed end of the hook in the hole and twist it until it is fully inserted
Gently and firmly twist the hook into the hole clockwise. You need to press harder as the hook goes deeper.
- If you have trouble twisting the hook in the last few turns, grip the hook gently with pliers to increase torque so the hook can fit all the way into the hole.
- Stop twisting when the base of the hook is firmly against the ceiling. If you force the twist past this point, the latch may break.
- This method applies to both ordinary screw hooks and utility hooks. Both are attached to the crossbar in the same method.
Method 2 of 2: Using Toggle Bolts with Hooks
Step 1. Use toggle bolts to hang items weighing less than 4 kg on drywall
The hooked toggle bolt consists of a grooved bolt that passes through the center of two spring-loaded wings that transmits its weight to the drywall. The hook is attached to the end of the bolt instead of the standard bolt head.
- Toggle bolts can be purchased at hardware stores and usually the load capacity they can support is listed on the package.
- You can also use toggle bolts to hang hooks from other types of ceiling material, such as wood paneled ceilings, plaster, or popcorn. The process of using it is the same as drywall.
Tips: Never use plastic toggle bolts to hang items from the ceiling. Plastic toggle bolts are made for light objects against vertical walls.
Step 2. Attach the wing clip to one end of the bolt
Install the toggle bolt according to the instructions on the package. Position the clip so that it doesn't fold down toward the bolt when pinched.
Some toggle bolts have a built-in hook, in case you need to attach a wing clip to the other end of the hook
Step 3. Attach the hanging hook to the other end if the toggle bolt has a separate hook
Some toggle bolts have a more decorative hanging hook. Twist the hook clockwise to the end of the hook opposite the wing clip.
This type of latch mounted on a toggle bolt is also known as a swag latch. If you purchased a toggle bolt that only has a wing clip without a built-in hook, purchase a swag hook that fits the groove size of the toggle bolt separately and attach it to the end of the bolt
Step 4. Use the stud finder tool to find empty areas of drywall
Stand on a step so that you can reach the ceiling and hold the stud finder flat against the ceiling. Rotate and slide until no lights are on in the tool, indicating that there are no bars there.
- Toggle bolts don't attach to wooden bars so make sure you find an empty area on the ceiling.
- If you are hanging the lamp, make sure the area where the hook is attached is close to an electrical outlet so that it is easy to connect.
Step 5. Mark the points to drill holes in the drywall with a pencil
Draw a small circle with a pencil to mark the point where the ceiling will be punched. This is where the toggle bolt will be installed.
You're going to be drilling a large hole so don't worry about the size of the marks as they will disappear once you've punched them
Step 6. Make a hole in the mark with an electric drill
Choose a drill bit slightly larger than the diameter of the toggle bolt when the wing is folded. This allows the bolt to pass through the hole when the clip is attached.
The toggle bolt package usually lists the size of the drill bit required to install the bolt. Otherwise, measure the diameter of the toggle when the wings are clamped closed using a tape measure or ruler
Step 7. Pinch the wings and thread them through the holes
Pinch the wing on the bolt and hold it closed with your fingers. Slide the top of the wing through the hole. The wings will open when they reach the empty space.
- If the wing doesn't fit into the hole, enlarge the hole with a drill until it's the right size.
- You'll feel or hear the clip pop open on the reverse side when the wing has passed all the way through.
Step 8. Tighten the bolts to ensure that the wings are fully seated on the inside
Grasp the hook and gently pull it down. Turn the bolt clockwise to tighten it until the hook feels tight and secure to the ceiling.
- Pulling down the hook will hold the wing still while tightening it from below.
- The hook will cover the drilled hole when fully tightened.
Thing
- Ladder
- Screw hooks (for bars)
- Toggle bolt with hook (for drywall or other ceilings)
- stud finder tool
- Pencil
- Electric drill
- Tang
Tips
- Spread plastic, tarpaulin, or newspaper under the area to be drilled to keep the floor clean.
- If you don't have a stud finder tool, try tapping and listening for a loud or muffled sound in the ceiling to determine the location of bars and empty spaces.
