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Do you need an anchor if you hit a stud?

Drywall anchors aren't required for all wall-based fastening applications. If there's a stud directly behind the wall, for instance, you probably won't need to use them. Studs offer support for screws as well as the objects with which they are used. Of course, studs don't encompass the entire space of a given wall.

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Screws are commonly used to fasten objects to walls. Whether you’re installing shelves, a coat rack, a mirror, framed pictures, etc., you may want to use a set of screws. Unfortunately, screws alone may not be sufficient. Depending on where exactly the objects are installed, drywall anchors may be required.

What Are Drywall Anchors?

Also known as drywall plugs, drywall anchors are hollow and self-expanding screw attachments that are designed to create a stronger connection between a screw and a wall. They are typically made of plastic or a similar synthetic material. As shown in the adjacent photo, drywall anchors have a hollow center. This hollow center is designed to support a screw.

How Drywall Anchors Work

You might be wondering how drywall anchors work. Screws, of course, are typically inserted directly into a wall. You may have to drill pilot holes beforehand. Regardless, when using screws to secure an object to a wall, you’ll probably drive them directly into the wall itself. There are instances, however, in which you may want to use drywall anchors. With drywall anchors, you won’t insert the screws directly into the wall. Instead, you’ll insert them into the drywall anchors. To use drywall anchors, you’ll need to drill pilot holes. You can then place the drywall anchors into these pilot holes. Once secured, you’ll be able to insert the screws into the drywall anchors. Drywall anchors are self-expanding. When you insert a screw into a drywall anchor, the back of the drywall anchor will expand.

When to Use Drywall Anchors

Drywall anchors aren’t required for all wall-based fastening applications. If there’s a stud directly behind the wall, for instance, you probably won’t need to use them. Studs offer support for screws as well as the objects with which they are used. Of course, studs don’t encompass the entire space of a given wall. You’ll only find them every 16 to 24 inches. You can still install objects on walls — even if there’s no stud available. You just need to use drywall anchors. Drywall anchors live up to their namesake by anchoring into drywall panels. You can push them into a pilot hole. As you tighten a screw into a drywall anchor, the drywall anchor will expand. The back of the drywall anchor will essentially expand around the back of the drywall panel. Drywall anchors simply allow screws to be used with drywall rather than studs.

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How do you secure something without a stud?

Use a toggle bolt or anchor to hang the piece on areas with no studs, This Old House says. The weight of the piece , and the thickness of the wall, will dictate the toggle size. The typical metal toggle bolt can hold 25 to 50 pounds on plaster, according This Old House. A plastic one can hold 10 to 25 pounds.

Last updated: January 1

Hanging that heavy picture or mirror on the wall may seem a daunting task. But if you're willing to take on the challenge, you'll find much of what you need to know right here. If your walls are made of plaster or drywall, one option is to affix the object to a spot on the wall directly into what's called a stud. According to Family Handyman, studs are boards that are framing elements to support walls. They can also help support the weight of heavy objects Make sure to check for studs in the walls prior to hanging something. BobVila.com suggests these three strategies for finding a stud: Knock on the wall. When a stud is behind that spot, the sound will be a more solid thump. Check for nails along your baseboard. They're typically placed on the stud line. Use a stud finder, which you can buy at your local hardware store. Place your item over a stud using a 3-inch wood screw on a plaster wall and a 2½-inch wood screw on drywall, BobVila.com recommends. Unlike drywall screws, wood screws are not threaded all the way to the top, so they are a better option for drilling into wood, according to Family Handyman. You'll need to use your drill with a multipurpose drill bit to create a pilot hole that will allow you to insert a screw or nail. Then use the drill to affix the wood screw.

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