Wall Mounting Heavy Objects In Steel Studs

Use a level to be sure the tv will be mounted straight.

Wall mounting heavy objects in steel studs.

We often say that heavy objects that need to be hung on the wall must be attached directly into a stud. When you have steel studs this can require special blocking before the wall is built or special attachment tactics if you want to go directly into the steel stud without wood blocking. A magnetic stud finder works best for locating the studs behind the drywall. You ll ultimately need to drill a 1 2 hole to fit the snap toggle but to ensure the hole is precisely in the center of the stud you should use a smaller drill bit first.

Then take your power drill and drive the threaded anchor into the drywall just like you would with a normal screw. There simply isn t enough material for the threads to grab securely. If you think your home might have steel studs you can check by running a magnet along a wall. So the key to mounting anything heavy to metal studs is to get the right fasteners.

Drywall is generally attached to vertical studs 2x4 or 2x6 boards spaced 16 apart. When possible it s best to find a stud to support your heaviest objects. In conventional construction hanging shelves on a wall requires finding the studs in the wall and mounting the shelf brackets to the studs with screws. Using toggle bolts is a common way to anchor heavy objects into steel studs.

Toggle bolts work better than screws with. The pilot hole ensures that the anchor starts its path into the wall smoothly and hits the location you want to mount it at precisely. Which leads us to the first step. Make a pilot hole on the wall where the anchor will go.

While nails and screws in wood studs will attract a magnet steel studs will have a stronger attraction along the entire height of the stud. Unlike wood studs where you can simply drive lag bolts or screws straight into the 2 4 studs metal studs are hallow and have thin walls. When you move the stud finder over the wall the magnet will react every time it passes over a nail. Some prior knowledge of the existing materials thickness of the drywall gauge of metal studs and spacing of metal studs will aid in determining the best mounting methods.

Use the television mount template to line up the mount s holes on the wall. Start by drilling a hole about the size of the tip of the threaded anchor. As with the expansion anchor drive it in until it sits flush with the drywall. Some homes have steel studs which require specialty fasteners such as toggle bolts to support heavy items.