Hanging a 20kg mirror on a plasterboard wall

[danyeates]

Hi

Would the expanding umbrella type plasterboard fixings (2of) be up to the job of hanging a 20kg mirror do you think?

The other thing is, as the mirror has keyhole type slots for the screw head to fit into, can you secure this type of plasterboard fixing without screwing the screw is all the way? I will need the screw head and a bit of thread protruding slightly so I can hang the mirror onto it.

Any other ideas? The solid walls are dot and dab plasterboard somthey aren't much better, but regardless of this, we'd really like the mirror on this stud wall.

Thanks for any help.

Dan

[Jonnas]

I would be trying to get the screws into the stud work myself. That's a lot of weight to hang on plasterboard alone, mind you it does depend on how thick the board is.

I did hang a rad once with the left hand fixings in the stud work and I fixed the right hand side using the same fixings as you are talking about but with a square ally plate of about 3" square to spread the load on the inside of the wall at each fixing which I managed to get in place through a light and power socket on the other side of the wall.

[Simpo Two]

I'd aim for the studs (vertical timbers) too, but partly because it's easier to put a normal screw into wood than faff about with plasterboard fixings.

Note that most of the 20kg weight is acting downwards, so it's a shearing force. Take a piece of plasterboard and try to pull a nail sideways through it...

[danyeates]

Yes, can't get to the other side of the wall. It's the bathroom, so it's tiled.

Need to get a stud finder. Tried tapping the wall, but can't figure out where it is!

[hoppo4.2]

we have a mirror aprox 3.5ft by 5ft on a stud wall its held in place only with some form of grip adhesive i dont remember the name it was recomended by the guys that made the mirror for us. its been there for aprox 3 years now so i guess its staying put.

[Gingerbread Man]

If it's tiled, you'd probably be able to put a rawl plug half into the tile and half into the plasterboard. If a nice tight fit on the plug, it'll grip hard.

[timberman]

You want some of these type of fixings
http://www.screwfix.com/p/hollow-wall-anchor-5-x-5...

And plasterboard will easily hold 20kg

[danyeates]

No sorry, the side I want to hang the mirror is a painted wall, the other side is tiled, I meant there's no way I can access the inside of the wall.

Just tapped the wall. Found one stud which I might be able to pick up (could do with being a bit further over though!) but can't find the location of the second one by tapping. Might get a stud finder. Be very unlikely the centres are the same as the mirror's though!

[danyeates]

timberman said:

You want some of these type of fixings
http://www.screwfix.com/p/hollow-wall-anchor-5-x-5...

And plasterboard will easily hold 20kg

Yep, they're the things I'm looking at.

[miniman]

danyeates said:

timberman said:

You want some of these type of fixings
http://www.screwfix.com/p/hollow-wall-anchor-5-x-5...

And plasterboard will easily hold 20kg

Yep, they're the things I'm looking at.

This is a must-have then:



Only a few quid from Screwfix et al, fits the fixings much, much tighter than you can achieve without.

[timbo999]

Have used these http://www.screwfix.com/p/rawlplug-self-drill-plas... to hold up a heavy mirror quite successfully.

Note that the ones you are aiming to use are for hollow walls - i.e. there needs to be clearance behind the plasterboard - but they work well as long as you never wish to remove them...

[V8 Animal]

Mirror adesive will hold this mirror. Just support it for 24 hours with a couple of props then remove. Job done!

[timberman]

miniman said:

This is a must-have then:



Only a few quid from Screwfix et al, fits the fixings much, much tighter than you can achieve without.

Yes, I have the exact same one and it's very easy to use and works perfectly well, so no point paying extra for a branded one.

[RC944]

Vertical studs are usually a set distance from each other so if you've found one you can find the others...

Someone more knowledgeable than me will come along and tell you what the distance between them is im sure...

[philmots]

timbo999 said:

Have used these http://www.screwfix.com/p/rawlplug-self-drill-plas... to hold up a heavy mirror quite successfully.

Note that the ones you are aiming to use are for hollow walls - i.e. there needs to be clearance behind the plasterboard - but they work well as long as you never wish to remove them...

I'd use these.. Very good.

Although one thing i've learnt is you're best to drill a pilot hole of around 6mm. The big threads can really dig into the board then. If you just drill them in from scratch it's not easy to get them exactly lined up and more importantly they're having to displace a lot of board and it ends up breaking the board down and not gripping.

[Maniman]

I've found these to be really good.

http://www.drylinepro.com/

Using standard plaster board fixings on a dot dab wall just doesn't work.

The above actually go right into the breeze block, should certainly be able to handle 50kgs

Mani

[Gingerbread Man]

Maniman said:

I've found these to be really good.

http://www.drylinepro.com/

Using standard plaster board fixings on a dot dab wall just doesn't work.

The above actually go right into the breeze block, should certainly be able to handle 50kgs

Mani

Similar idea to a fixing called 'Rigifix' which are designed for dot and dab walls. I've hung my TV using them.

[timberman]

Maniman said:

I've found these to be really good.

http://www.drylinepro.com/

Using standard plaster board fixings on a dot dab wall just doesn't work.

The above actually go right into the breeze block, should certainly be able to handle 50kgs

Mani

Unless I've read it wrong I believe the op has both dot dab and stud walls in his room and wants to hang said mirror on the stud wall side.

[danyeates]

Yes, would be on the stud wall. Don't really want it on the dot and dab wall.

[sidekickdmr]

Someone above mentioned using a sealant, as you are then securing the whole area of the mirror against the wall,

Cover the back in a no more nails type stuff and hey presto?

Providing you never ever want to remove the mirror job done!