Plaster hooks are a common solution for hanging pictures on plaster walls, supporting up to 20 pounds. They can be used for lighter items, such as screws or screws with masonry anchors, and for heavier items, such as heavy frames, use molly bolts. To hang heavy objects on plaster walls, it is essential to prepare the wall for stability and safety.
To hang heavy objects, follow these steps: locate studs in plaster walls, determine the type of fasteners needed, and use magnet wall studs, measuring rulers, and drills. Plaster hooks are typically rough sawn 3/8″ thick by 1.25-1.5 wide, and horse hair is added to help bind it together. For pictures less than 16 pounds, use adhesive hooks and strips. For heavier items, use anchors rated for plaster and gallery systems.
When hanging heavy objects on plaster walls, it is crucial to use the right tools and techniques to ensure their security without risking damage to the walls or frames. Plaster lath, typically rough sawn 3/8″ thick by 1.25-1.5 wide, is used to bind the material together. For pictures less than 16 pounds, use adhesive hooks and strips.
For heavier items, use standard picture hangers, put a piece of tape on the plaster, and then pop in the hanger. The process can be challenging, but the results are worth it with the right materials and hand tools.
In summary, hanging heavy items on plaster walls requires careful preparation and the use of appropriate tools and techniques. Plaster hooks are a common solution for hanging pictures, and using adhesive hooks and strips is recommended for lighter items.
📹 How to mount on older plaster and lath walls
Easy how to on finding a stud in an old building with plaster and lath walls.
📹 How to hang heavy stuff on plaster walls | Molly bolts
In this DIY video, I’ll show how to hang stuff on plaster and lath walls using a molly bolt. Hanging heavy frames on the wall can be …
This is great! I’ve been having trouble finding the studs in my 120 year old home. Although I used a magnet that was WAY too strong and it’s now stuck on the wall. Someday when this pandemic ends and I can have people over again it’s going to be a fun party trick to see who has the strength to remove this magnet from my entryway 🙂
Wow, I had no idea. I had a huge clock fall off the wall because the anchor came out. I didn’t use the right one a couple of years ago, so after a big fright with it falling, I am up at 2am learning about Molly Bolts. I came across your article and learned something else new. Thank you, I will use this tip with all of my lath and plaster.
Does the magnet trick also work for textured plaster walls? I have a 1950’s house with plaster walls, but they feel like sand paper. The previous owners made one of the rooms textured pretty heavily with this hard kind of popcorn like texture and we are having a hard time trying to figure out how to hang pictures, mirrors, tv mounts, shelves you name it.
Backing out the screw releases the pressure on the ‘butterfly’ part of the bolt that is within the wall. Without that pressure from screw being tight the anchors will be able to move about and eventually fail. For this application remove the screw before installing and thread on a nut and wider washer, then reinstall the screw in the molly bolt. Now you can use the nut to maintain the pressure on the wall material while backing out the screw slightly to engage the T-slot in the frame.
Good demonstration of a Molly Bolt. Definitely not a plaster wall though. I wouldn’t recommend this for a plaster and lathe wall. Also the tape isn’t just good for writing on. For those of us unfortunate souls with plaster walls if you put a little piece of tape on the wall before drilling or hammering the tape will assist in keeping the plaster from breaking apart too bad. Not a complete solution but it does help.
Hi Marie, trade tip for you. When measuring the space between the hanging holes at 00:27 first of all, go to the nearest window and throw the tape out (satans spawn tape measures). Take your spirit level and hold it to the mirror as you have done with the tape. Mark the spirit level with a sharpie or pencil at the points where the holes are. Set your level on the wall in the desired position, make it level and transfer the marks to the wall. No risk of measurement error and level as well. If you can use references instead of measurements do it every time. Enjoying your article’s subscribed a while ago. Retired and laid up tradesman here in the UK. Thanks for the entertainment you do some nice stuff.
Okay, I’ve done one search for stud finders and I already know this is wrong… very frustrating to see folks who are “experts” confuse drywall with lath and plaster. Plaster is very costly to repair professionally and very time consuming to repair on the cheap. This is terrible advice. I’m glad I read the comments because as soon as I saw “no studs” I was like “this can’t be right…
Many people have pointed out that you are not mounting to plaster and lathe, but rather to drywall. Also they have pointed out that it is unwise to back out a Molly bolt because that compromises a tight anchor. Why not acknowledge these and at least change the title and description? I’ve noticed that you answer many people in the comments, but you seemingly ignore the people who are pointing out the errors. If you are teaching something that has the potential of injury (hanging heavy objects from a wall), you really should know your terminology and the capabilities and physical properties of the items you are demonstrating.
What were the mysterious yellow plastic anchors in the wall above the picture for? I also thought it was very odd that you used a drill to put the molly in the wall, then used a regular flat screwdriver to screw it in. Why not use a drill with a verible speed conrol? And I agree what this was probably not a cement or plaster wall.