How and how you can screw the shelf to the plasterboard wall

For wall decoration, drywall is increasingly used. The material has proven itself perfectly: it is easy to work with it, and the appearance is quite decent.

In parallel, the question arises about attaching various objects to plasterboard walls: how to do it firmly and beautifully.

Mounting features

Faced with the issue of fixing lamps, hangers or shelves to a plasterboard wall, craftsmen are justifiably afraid that the wall will negatively "react" to such manipulations, it will crumble or crumble.

However, answering the question unambiguously: is it possible to attach objects to a drywall wall, we boldly assert: it is possible! The main condition for successful work is the correct gluing or fastening of drywall to the load-bearing wall.

If all technological requirements are met, there is nothing to fear. And remember, the maximum load capacity of drywall depends on many factors. In particular:

• Material quality;
• Reliability of fastening to the wall;
• The size and weight of the attached items.

To attach light shelves to the plasterboard wall that do not exert a serious load on the surface, ordinary screws are enough. By the way, hooks in the bathroom for towels or in the hallway for light clothes are also attached with the same screws.

Choosing the right screws is the key to success. The fastening process should be carried out using dowels. Thanks to this, the structure will be durable and reliable.

To clarify which dowels and screws are best used for a particular load, contact sales consultants in building materials stores.

The "secret" of the dowel is simple: during installation into the wall, it opens, focusing on the walls of the structure, and it becomes extremely difficult to dismantle it. The work algorithm is as follows:

1. We make holes in the wall for installing dowels.
2. We mount the dowels.
3. Using screws, we attach hooks or brackets for future attachments.
4. We hang the shelf (hooks, lamps).

This mounting method has strengths and weaknesses. First, about the positive aspects:

• Installation will require a minimum of time and construction skills. Even a beginner can handle such a job.
• With careful use of shelves (hooks) and observance of weight restrictions, the structure will last long enough.

Of the obvious shortcomings, the following are mentioned:

• Inability to withstand heavy loads.
• The undesirability of fastening shelves of a large area, even if they weigh a little.

How to attach a heavy shelf

How to attach shelves to drywall if their weight is large enough? The method used for mounting a light shelf will be inappropriate in this case. Drywall can simply crumble or crack, and as a result, the shelf will fall and the wall will collapse.

For fastening a structure with a large mass, you need to mount the fasteners directly into the profile of the drywall sheet, and also take care of the availability of special fasteners.

The procedure is as follows:

1. We make a hole in such a way that both drywall and the profile to which it is attached are drilled. In order not to be mistaken with the location of the profile, experts recommend using an ordinary magnet.
2. Special dowels are mounted in the drilled holes.
3. Next, brackets or hooks are attached with screws. Important: the screws are tightened only to a certain degree, so that during operation the wall withstands the load of the shelf and does not deform from the fasteners themselves.

And one more nuance: the mount must be mounted on a horizontal profile.
This mounting option also has its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

• Ability to withstand heavy loads. In the presence of plasterboard walls, this is a very significant "plus".
• Mounts are selected individually for structures of different sizes and shapes. For example, using this mounting method, you can position the shelf along the entire wall, regardless of the width of the structure.

Disadvantages:

• It will take more time and effort, and at least minimal skills in the construction industry are desirable.
• If the attached structure is used inaccurately, this will lead to the destruction of the entire wall, and not just the plasterboard layer.

Anchor bolts

Another method of fastening is with anchor bolts. In fairness, it should be noted that this method is known to almost everyone who works with drywall, but it is used, for some reason, extremely rarely.

In simple terms, the anchor bolts allow you to mount directly into the wall through the plasterboard sheathing.

Important: this installation option can only be used in cases where the distance between the wall and the drywall is very small.

If you decide to secure something with anchor bolts, then follow these simple guidelines:

1. Drill a through hole in the drywall, in the place where the material rests on the profile;
2. Drill additional holes through the holes obtained directly into the wall;
3. Mount the anchor into the wall through drywall and clamp it;
4. To fasten shelves or hangers, the anchor itself can be used, or there can be an additional fastener built into it, for example, a bracket.

Features of this mount:

• Durability, ability to withstand serious loads;
• With this fastening, drywall practically does not experience stress;
• Installation in this way is possible only if the drywall is attached to a metal frame;
• The working process will take a lot of time and effort, since almost double work is carried out: first, holes in the drywall, and then in the wall;
• Compared with the previous options, the method is quite costly;
• If excessive loads are allowed, or if a shelf (hanger) is used carelessly, then not only the plasterboard structure may be destroyed, but also the building panel.

How to choose the right mount

Of course, there can be no unambiguous answers, the question is rather controversial and ambiguous. Much depends on how carefully and in accordance with weight restrictions you are ready to operate the piece of furniture attached to the wall.

Which installation option can you carry out on your own, and for which one you need the help of professional builders. Finally, what kind of frame is under your drywall, how well the structure is created.

If you need to attach a small shelf on which a couple of souvenirs will flaunt, then you can attach the dowels directly to the drywall. If the shelf is designed for books and its width is more than 10 cm, then it is better to attach it to the profile.

Finally, in the case when you need to attach a shelf to the wall for placing heavy and expensive items, it makes sense to play it safe and mount directly to the wall using anchor bolts.

Drywall cannot be called a material that can withstand super heavy loads. However, with the right approach to the issue of fastening, even on drywall walls, you can easily place shelves for books, clothes hangers or small stands for souvenirs.

And remember, if you are not sure exactly how the shelf will be used, it is better to give preference to the most reliable mounting method.

Video: how to hang objects on a drywall wall