Wall Mounting Heavy Objects In Steel Studs

A magnetic stud finder works best for locating the studs behind the drywall.

Wall mounting heavy objects in steel studs.

While nails and screws in wood studs will attract a magnet steel studs will have a stronger attraction along the entire height of the stud. Toggle bolts work better than screws with. There simply isn t enough material for the threads to grab securely. Drywall is generally attached to vertical studs 2x4 or 2x6 boards spaced 16 apart.

We often say that heavy objects that need to be hung on the wall must be attached directly into a stud. Using toggle bolts is a common way to anchor heavy objects into steel studs. Some prior knowledge of the existing materials thickness of the drywall gauge of metal studs and spacing of metal studs will aid in determining the best mounting methods. As with the expansion anchor drive it in until it sits flush with the drywall.

In most cases tapping a small hole into the wall with a no. Then take your power drill and drive the threaded anchor into the drywall just like you would with a normal screw. Use the television mount template to line up the mount s holes on the wall. You ll ultimately need to drill a 1 2 hole to fit the snap toggle but to ensure the hole is precisely in the center of the stud you should use a smaller drill bit first.

If you think your home might have steel studs you can check by running a magnet along a wall. Use a level to be sure the tv will be mounted straight. In conventional construction hanging shelves on a wall requires finding the studs in the wall and mounting the shelf brackets to the studs with screws. When you move the stud finder over the wall the magnet will react every time it passes over a nail.

When you have steel studs this can require special blocking before the wall is built or special attachment tactics if you want to go directly into the steel stud without wood blocking. For best results heavy objects should be mounted to as many metal studs as possible so that the weight will be evenly distributed. So the key to mounting anything heavy to metal studs is to get the right fasteners. Which leads us to the first step.

3 finishing nail and a hammer will do the job. Some homes have steel studs which require specialty fasteners such as toggle bolts to support heavy items. Make a pilot hole on the wall where the anchor will go. Start by drilling a hole about the size of the tip of the threaded anchor.