Anchoring Options: Screw Holes And Beyond

Drywall anchors are used to hang items on walls where there is no wall stud to support a nail. They are designed to be placed directly into the drywall, allowing you to hang heavy items without the fear of slippage or damage. There are different types of drywall anchors, including plastic expansion anchors, self-drilling anchors, and hollow wall anchors. The type of anchor you need depends on the weight of the item you want to hang and the type of wall you have. Before installing a drywall anchor, you need to drill a pilot hole, then press, screw, or tap the anchor into place.

The different types of drywall anchors

Drywall anchors are used to hang items on walls without the need to locate a wall stud. They are designed to grip the wall and provide support for the object being hung. There are many different types of drywall anchors available, each with different weight capacities and installation processes. Here are some of the most common types of drywall anchors:

Expansion Anchors

Expansion drywall anchors are among the most common type of anchor. They are typically made of plastic and have a ribbed or serrated body with a split down the middle. When a screw is inserted, the anchor expands to grip the hole in the drywall. Expansion anchors are low-cost and versatile, but they lack the strength of metal alternatives. They can usually support weights of up to 25 pounds.

Threaded Anchors

Threaded drywall anchors can be made of hard plastic or metal and have a sharp point and an external screw thread. This allows them to be installed without pre-drilling, as the thread cuts into the drywall. Some threaded anchors also split like expansion anchors for increased grip. These anchors provide greater support than expansion anchors and can hold up to 75 pounds. However, over-tightening can damage the drywall and loosen the hold.

Molly Bolts

Molly bolts, also known as mollies, are one of the most popular drywall anchors for heavy items. They consist of a bolt and an outer casing. When the bolt is tightened, the casing expands and pulls tight behind the wall, providing a secure and stable anchor. Molly bolts can support weights of up to 100 pounds and can also be used for ceiling fixings. However, they require a special setting tool for installation and can be difficult to remove.

Winged Plastic Anchors

Winged plastic drywall anchors, also known as butterfly drywall anchors, are a recent innovation that combines the low cost of expansion and threaded anchors with the security of molly bolts. They have a winged casing that expands behind the drywall and only require a pilot hole for installation. Winged plastic anchors can support weights of up to 25 pounds but can be challenging to remove.

Toggle Bolts

Toggle bolts, also known as drywall toggle anchors, are among the strongest types of drywall anchors available. They consist of a bolt and a pair of spring-activated wings that open automatically when pushed through a hole. Toggle bolts provide excellent weight distribution and can hold 100 pounds or more, depending on the strength of the drywall. However, they can be fiddly to install and difficult to remove.

Self-Drilling Toggle Anchors

Self-drilling toggle anchors are a type of heavy-duty drywall anchor that overcomes some of the challenges of traditional toggle bolts. They have a sharp tip that punches its own hole in the drywall, and a toggle bar drops in place behind the wall to provide support. These anchors can be removed and reused, making them a versatile and convenient option.

Strap Toggle Anchors

Strap toggle anchors offer a combination of strength and simplicity, making them a good choice for DIY users. They consist of a steel toggle, plastic ratchet straps, and a threaded cap. They are quick and easy to install and can support weights of 80 pounds or more, making them a popular choice for TV mounts and ceiling fixings. Removal is simple, as the head can be cut off and the remainder will fall inside the wall.

How to install an anchor without a screw

Drywall anchors are used to hang items directly on a drywall surface without the need for a wall stud. They are designed to be placed directly into the drywall, allowing you to hang heavy items without fear of slippage or damage.

Step 1: Select the Anchor Type

Different types of drywall anchors are available, such as plastic expansion anchors, self-drilling anchors, hollow wall anchors (molly bolts), and toggle bolts. Choose the appropriate anchor type based on the weight of the item you plan to hang.

Step 2: Mark the Installation Spot

Determine the desired location for your item and mark it with a pencil. If you are installing multiple anchors, use a level and measuring tape to ensure proper spacing and alignment.

Step 3: Drill the Pilot Hole

Fit your drill with a bit that matches the diameter of the anchor you are using. Hold the drill at a 90-degree angle to the wall and drill the pilot hole. If you don't have a drill, you can use an awl, a hammer and nail-set, or a Phillips-head screwdriver to create the hole.

Step 4: Install the Anchor

• For plastic expansion anchors, simply push the anchor into the pilot hole by hand.
• For self-drilling anchors, place the tip into the hole and twist it clockwise using a drill or a handheld screwdriver.
• For hollow wall anchors, tap the anchor into the hole with a hammer until it is flush with the wall, then tighten the central screw with a screwdriver.
• For toggle bolts, guide the collapsible wings through the pilot hole. Once they pop open on the other side, screw down the adjustable anchor head.

Step 5: Hang Your Item

Finally, secure your item to the wall by inserting a screw through its mounting hole and into the anchor. Ensure that you don't overtighten the screw, as this can damage the anchor or the wall.

The best anchors for different wall types

There are many types of anchors available for different wall types. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Expansion anchors are low-cost, versatile, and easy to use. They are suitable for drywall, cinder block, brick, concrete, and more. They can hold up to 25 pounds and are ideal for hanging pictures, mirrors, and small shelves.
• Threaded drywall anchors are another low-cost option made of hard plastic or metal with a sharp point. They can be installed without pre-drilling and provide greater support than expansion anchors, holding up to 75 pounds. They are suitable for pictures, mirrors, and shelves.
• Molly bolts are one of the most popular drywall anchors for heavy items, with a weight capacity of up to 100 pounds. They are secure and spread the load of the hung item. They do require a special setting tool for installation and are difficult to remove.
• Winged plastic anchors are a recent innovation that combines the low cost of expansion and threaded anchors with the security of molly bolts. They are suitable for lightweight ceiling items like smoke alarms and can hold up to 25 pounds. They are challenging to remove.
• Toggle bolts are among the strongest drywall anchors available and are usually made of rust-resistant, zinc-plated steel or stainless steel. They can hold 100 pounds or more and are ideal for heavy shelving, cabinets, and large ceiling fixings. However, they can be fiddly to install and cannot be closed once opened.
• Self-drilling toggle anchors are a more expensive option but are ideal for all-round use. They can be removed and reused, and they don't require pre-drilling, making them a good choice for heavy-duty mounting.
• Strap toggle anchors offer a good combination of strength and simplicity, making them a great choice for DIY users. They are easy to install and can hold 80 pounds or more, making them suitable for shelves, medium-weight cabinets, and TV mounts.

The weight capacity of different anchors

The weight capacity of an anchor depends on several factors, including the type of anchor, the surface it is being drilled into, and the weight of the object being hung. Here is a list of some commonly used anchors and their weight capacities:

Plastic Drywall Anchors

Plastic drywall anchors are a good choice for holding items on drywall, and they are relatively affordable, usually costing less than $10. They are typically used for concrete and other hard surfaces, but some varieties can also be used for drywall. The weight capacity of a plastic drywall anchor is around 20 pounds, but this can vary depending on the type of anchor.

Butterfly Drywall Anchors (Toggle Joints)

Butterfly drywall anchors offer excellent holding power, with a weight capacity of up to 100 pounds on various drywall surfaces. They can be made of plastic or metal, with metal providing extra strength. Butterfly anchors are commonly used for roofs and some wall surfaces, but they can be more complicated to install since you have to drive the screw through the pilot.

Winged Drywall Anchors

Winged drywall anchors can be made of plastic or metal, and the weight capacity depends on the material. Plastic winged anchors hold less weight than metal drywall anchors, which are more expensive.

Hollow Wall Anchors

Hollow wall anchors are sturdy and can accommodate heavyweights of about 50 pounds. Some varieties also act as expansion anchors, providing additional rigidity on the wall surface. They can be purchased online or at hardware stores.

Self-Driving Anchors

Self-driving anchors are stable and have minimal impact on the drywall surface. They are commonly made of metal, and they do not usually require a pre-drilled hole. They are easy to install and detach, and they can hold weights of up to 70 pounds. The average price for a package of self-driving anchors ranges from $10 to $20.

Expansion Anchors

Expansion anchors are the cheapest and most basic type of drywall anchor, typically used for hanging lightweight items such as small paintings and paper towel racks. They are best suited for items weighing under 10 pounds. However, it is important to note that expansion anchors are only as strong as the wall they are installed in, so there is a chance of them coming loose over time.

Self-Drilling Anchors

Self-drilling anchors offer more support than expansion anchors and are ideal for hanging items weighing between 10 and 25 pounds. They can be screwed in by hand or with an electric drill.

Molly Bolts (Hollow Wall Anchors)

Molly bolts are another type of hollow wall anchor that provides excellent support for hanging heavy items such as cabinets, floating shelves, and full-length mirrors. They come in various lengths, so it is important to know the thickness of your wall before purchasing. To install a molly bolt, you first drill a hole that is slightly larger than the bolt. Then, you insert the screw into the bolt and screw it in by hand or with an electric drill.

Toggle Bolts

Toggle bolts have collapsible wings that pop open once they pass through the pilot hole, and they are braced against the drywall from both sides. They are suitable for hanging heavy items, but it is important to drill a pilot hole that is the same diameter as the wings when fully collapsed.

How to remove an anchor

Removing a drywall anchor is a simple process, but it can be made easier by first identifying the type of anchor you are dealing with. The most common types of drywall anchors are expansion anchors, threaded anchors, and self-drilling toggle anchors.

Expansion Anchors

Expansion anchors are typically used for hanging lightweight items and have a small plastic head that overlaps with the drywall. To remove this type of anchor, use a screwdriver or drill to gently back the screw out of the plastic anchor by about a quarter of an inch. Then, use needle-nose pliers to grip the exposed screw shaft and gently pull the screw and anchor out of the drywall.

Threaded Anchors

Threaded drywall anchors are thicker and denser plastic anchors that can support heavier items. They have a larger, thicker head that overlaps the wall. To remove this type of anchor, insert a screwdriver into the head and turn it counterclockwise to slowly ease it out of the wall. If there is resistance, remove the metal fastener and proceed to the next method.

Self-Drilling Toggle Anchors

Self-drilling toggle anchors are heavy-duty anchors that can support much heavier items. They have a toggle bar behind the drywall that expands when installed. To remove this type of anchor, insert a screwdriver into the head of the screw and turn it counterclockwise to loosen the screw and allow the internal toggle bar to drop. Tap the head of the anchor a few times to help the toggle bar collapse, then pull the fastener through the opening. If you can't pull it through easily, you may need to push it through the drywall.

Pushing the Anchor Through the Wall

If you are unable to remove the anchor using the methods above, or if the anchor is too brittle or damaged, you can simply recess it into the wall. To do this, remove any metal fasteners inserted into the drywall anchor. Then, gently tap the head of the anchor with a ball-peen or tack hammer. Make sure that the entire head is below the surrounding drywall surface. Finally, proceed to repair the drywall.

Frequently asked questions