Mount Anything on Drywall With These Heavy Duty Anchors
Hanging decor, shelves, and other heavy objects on drywall can be frustrating. Traditional plastic anchors often fail to support much weight. But drywall doesn't have to limit your interior design dreams. With the right anchors, you can securely mount virtually anything on hollow walls.
This is where winged anchors, also called toggle bolts, come in. These ingenious drywall fasteners make mounting heavy objects easy. Keep reading to learn what makes winged anchors so effective and how to use them for your next drywall project.
What Are Winged Anchors?
Winged anchors are a special type of hollow wall anchor designed to grip and support substantial weight in drywall and other hollow materials like plaster or wallboard. They consist of a bolt with spring-loaded wings that pivot outwards inside the wall cavity to brace against the rear surface.
When tightened, the wings spread the load across a wider area on the inside surface of the wall. This gives winged anchors much greater holding power compared to regular sleeve anchors which rely solely on the strength of the drywall edge.
Types of Winged Anchors
There are a few different varieties of winged anchors available:
- Standard - Holds up to 100 lbs
- Heavy-duty - Holds 100-200 lbs
- Low-profile - For flush mounting needs
The most common type used for household drywall projects are standard anchors rated for around 50-100 lbs. Heavy-duty versions can support items exceeding 100 pounds like upper kitchen cabinets or shop tools.
Materials
Winged anchors are constructed from durable materials like steel or brass. Plastic versions are also available but only suitable for very lightweight items. For any significant weight, metal anchors are recommended.
Benefits of Winged Anchors in Drywall
Winged anchors offer several advantages for home drywall projects:
- Hold much more weight - Often 75+ lbs in 1/2" drywall
- No need for solid backing like tile or studs
- Prevent traditional anchor failure and falling objects
- Allow mounting of heavier mirrors, shelving, wall cabinets
- More holding strength per square inch of drywall
With winged anchors, you can hang large wall decor, mount heavy shelving, and generally use hollow drywall like a solid surface. Their unique ability to grip the inside wall makes them far superior to typical sleeve anchors.
Weight Ratings and Specifications
When selecting a winged anchor, check the manufacturer's stated weight rating. This specifies the recommended maximum weight for a given anchor size installed per instructions in standard 1/2" drywall.
Actual weight capacity depends on factors like:
- Screw diameter - Larger screws provide more holding power
- Drywall thickness - 1/2" vs 5/8" drywall
- Installation method - Proper pilot hole size, etc.
As a general guideline, a 3/16" x 1-1/4" standard winged anchor paired with a #12 screw can support around 50-75 lbs in 1/2" drywall. Going up one screw size to #14 can increase this to 90-100 lbs. Heavy-duty versions may be rated up to 150-200+ lbs depending on size.
Installation Guide
Installing winged anchors properly is key to maximizing their strength. Here are the basic steps:
- Drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than anchor diameter
- Insert anchor into hole until wings deploy and brace inside wall
- Drive in selected screw to desired depth to secure anchor
Using the right sized drill bit for the pilot hole is critical. If the hole is oversized, the wings won't engage correctly. Always consult the manufacturer's hole sizing guidelines.
Driving the screw firmly seats the wings and compresses them against the rear drywall surface. Take care not to overtighten as this can damage the drywall or strip the screw head.
Usage Tips and Precautions
To safely utilize winged anchors in drywall installations:
- Select an appropriate screw length and diameter
- Take care not to crack drywall face paper when drilling
- Ensure wings open fully inside the cavity
- Use torque-limiting driver to avoid excess tightening
- Check for secure mounting after installation
With proper selection, drilling, and mounting technique, winged anchors provide a very strong and secure attachment in drywall rivaling traditional stud mounting.
Top Uses for Winged Anchors
Winged toggle bolts enable heavy-duty mounting in hollow drywall for many applications including:
- Hanging large mirrors or picture frames
- Mounting big screen TVs up to 70"
- Installing floating shelves and bookcases
- Building customized storage or closet systems
- Attaching cabinets, hutches and display cases
- Hanging plants, lights, and ceiling fans
Virtually anything you can mount to a wood stud, you can mount to drywall with winged anchors. Their strength and versatility open up many possibilities for drywall decoration and storage projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much weight can winged anchors hold in drywall?
With proper installation, standard winged anchors can safely hold 50-75+ lbs in 1/2" drywall, sometimes exceeding 100 lbs depending on variables. Heavy-duty versions may be rated up to 200 lbs or more.
Do winged anchors work in plaster walls?
Yes, winged anchors work very well in older plaster walls over lath, which are also hollow. Follow the same installation techniques as with drywall.
What size screw should I use with a toggle bolt?
For heavy loads, a #12 or #14 screw is recommended. Larger diameter screws offer more gripping power. Match the screw length to the anchor depth.
With their ability to spread weight across the inside of hollow drywall, winged anchors allow secure mounting of heavy objects that would otherwise require solid backing. For any homeowner needing to mount items heavier than picture frames on drywall walls or ceilings, winged toggle bolts are an indispensable fastener to keep on hand. Give them a try for your next challenging drywall project.