Hang Shelves On Drywall

Monday, March 17, 2014

Hang Shelves On Drywall

Drywall is strong and lightweight, but it is also brittle. Because it is so brittle, hanging shelves on drywall can be challenging. Even if you're careful nailing or screwing something into a wall, nails or screws can pull out of the drywall. An old method of hanging shelves on drywall is to hammer nails or drive screws directly into a stud. This strategy, however, is becoming less useful because many new buildings are constructed with metal studs. One technique of hanging shelves on drywall, however, works whether your house is built with wood or metal studs.

Instructions

1. Position your shelf level along the wall where you want it to hang.

2. Mark where the extension bolts will go by holding the shelf in place, and making a mark at each of the shelf's support clips. The support clips are simply the two metal supports on the back of the shelf by which the shelf hangs.

3. Drill a hole at each of the marks.

4. Slide a drywall expansion bolt through each hole. After the screw is all the way through the hole, the metal "butterfly" clip will expand.

5. Pull on the expansion bolt until you feel resistance.

6. Hand tighten each expansion bolt by turning the bolt head clockwise. Usually the butterfly clip behind the wall will "catch" on insulation. The insulation will hold the butterfly clip in place and allow the bolt to tighten. If you turn the bolt head but the bolt simply spins, pull on the bolt head until the extended butterfly clip "catches" on the inside of the wall. Continue pulling the bolt head while at the same time turning it. The butterfly clip will stay "caught" on the inside of the wall and slowly tighten.

7. Tighten the expansion bolts with a screwdriver. Do not over-tighten or the bolt head might puncture the surface of the drywall.

8. Hang your shelf on the screws.

Corner beads

Monday, March 17, 2014