Hanging a mirror on your wall is a good way to make your room suppose bigger and more open, but regular command strips won’t be as much as the task if the mirror you’re striking is especially heavy. Additionally, nails could be strong, yet they could damage your walls. Fortunately, there are many the right way to cling a mirror devoid of utilizing nails:
- Anchors
- Drywall hooks
- Heavy-duty mounting tape
- French cleat brackets
Keep analyzing this guide for step-by-step instructions on the way to use every of these methods. You’ll be able to determine which technique is the correct one for you, and we’ll even propose some products to help you hang your heavy mirror.
Getting Started
Before you start striking your mirror, you wish to answer some questions. For example, what kind of wall are you going to hang it on? Is it drywall, plaster, paneling, brick, or something else? The cloth of your wall will help you assess which method to apply when striking your mirror.
Next, weigh your mirror. Try standing on a toilet scale whilst preserving the mirror, and however devoid of it. Subtract the second one variety from the 1st to see how heavy your replicate is. When buying hardware or mounting tape, be cautious to not exceed the weight limit at the packaging.
Look on the again of your reflect to see what sort of fastening hardware it already has, if any. Many frames come with photograph wire or D-rings. In case your replicate doesn’t have any hardware at the back, consider setting up some yourself. All of the methods here except for mounting tape require some form of hardware on your mirror.
This easy tutorial explains the way to connect D-rings and picture wire to the again of a heavy mirror. 26ELE sells a kit of Picture Striking Wire on Amazon. This package can hold mirrors as much as one hundred ninety kilos (86.18 kg).
When you’re able to get all started striking your mirror, make sure to clear the outside of your wall. You desire the wall to be as while possible, and dirt can get in the style of sure adhesives.
1. Anchors
Drywall by myself isn’t designed to support hardware like nails and screws. An anchor provides a safe place to install hardware in your drywall, plaster, or paneling. The anchor will expand after it is on your wall, making it not going to ever come out on its own.
Try this GATEWAY U.S. Strengthened Nylon Anchors and Screws, offered on Amazon.com. They are able to carry up to 50 kilos (22 kg).
If your mirror is too heavy for a normal plastic anchor kit, you can attempt toggle bolts instead, like this Toggle Bolt and Wing Nut Package by means of Swpeet. Toggle bolts are very like anchors, but they’re suited for protecting heavier objects.
If you want to hold your mirror utilizing anchors or toggle bolts, you’ll need D-rings or picture wire on the lower back of your mirror. The D-rings or picture wire will connect to the hardware within the anchor to securely carry your mirror.
Mark Wherein the Anchors Will Go
Decide in which at the wall you desire your mirror. Listed here are the steps on how to do this.
- Mark in pencil in which the tip of the reflect body will be.
- If you’re using photo wire, take a piece of scrap wooden (or any item with a level surface) and place it less than the wire.
- Move the wood up towards the top of the replicate body till the wire is pulled taut. This will mimic the force of the reflect hanging at the wall.
- Measure the space between the taut wire and the top of the frame. Use that measurement to make a mark in your wall below your first mark.
- Hold your piece of wood on that decrease mark. Make sure it’s level.
- Use the perimeters of your wood to mark on your wall where your anchors will go. Those two marks ought to be level.
- If you’re using D-rings, mark in which the tip of your replicate body would be on the wall.
- Measure the gap between both D-rings.
- Measure the distance between the tip of the mirror and the D-rings.
With these measurements, you ought to be able to mark at the wall in which both D-rings will be on the subject of the tip of your mirror.
Drill Pilot Holes
Pilot holes are small holes that help you aid screws or anchors into place.
Using an influence drill, drill pilot holes in those two marks. Your drill bit should be smaller than the dimensions of the anchor. For example, you need to use a 0.25-inch drill bit for a 1-inch anchor.
Refer to the directions that come with your anchor package if you’re unsure of what size drill bit to use.
Install the Anchors
Insert the anchors into the pilot holes. You will find this simplest with the aid of tapping them with a rubber mallet. The collar of the anchors ought to be flush with your wall.
Use a screwdriver to insert the screws into the anchors. Turning the screws will trigger the anchors to expand in your wall, making them extra secure.
Do not screw them each of the way into the wall. Leave between 0.25-inch and 1/2-inch of the screw sticking out so you might dangle your replicate at the screws.
Hang the Mirror
Lift your reflect and dangle the wire or D-rings on the anchored screws. If your replicate is very heavy, you may want a partner to help with this step. A partner can also seem at the back of the reflect to help aid you. Remember, in terms of domestic improvement, four arms are usually larger than two.
2. Drywall Hooks
Drywall hooks require your replicate to have hardware like D-rings or photo wire. You don’t need any tools to hang a reflect with drywall hooks — just the hooks and a pencil.
Drywall hooks curve inside your wall to aid large amounts of weight. They’re an outstanding choice for placing heavy gadgets on drywall, plaster, or paneling.
PinCute sells a kit of Stainless Steel Photo Hanger Hooks. Those hooks can hold up to one hundred pounds (45 kg).
Mark Where the Hooks Will Go
Drywall hooks work best on areas of a wall and not using a stud. You could use a stud finder to make certain the world of the wall you desire your reflect on is stud-free. Here are the stairs for marking your wall.
- Mark in your wall in pencil where the end of your reflect will go.
- If your mirror has D-rings, measure the gap among them.
- Then degree the gap between the jewelry and the end of the mirror.
- Use these measurements to mark on your wall wherein the D-rings will go.
- If your reflect has photo wire, take a bit of scrap wooden (or any sturdy, level object) and region it lower than the wire. Lift the object closer to the end of the replicate body to drag the wire taut.
- Measure the distance from the tip of the body to the taut wire, and mark it on your wall.
- Then use the edges of your level object to make two marks in which you desire your hooks to go.
While striking a mirror with picture wire on a unmarried hook is possible, utilizing two hooks helps distribute the burden extra evenly.
Insert the Hooks
Poke the straight, pointy end of one hook into the mark in your wall. Firmly push the hook upward in the course of the drywall. You’ve got to rotate the hook to insert it completely.
Push until the small hook is the only obvious part. Discuss with the instructions on the packaging if you’re having trouble.
Repeat for any other mark in your wall.
Hang the Mirror
Carefully elevate your mirror, and ask a partner for assist if necessary. Dangle your replicate on the hooks with the aid of the D-rings or photo wire. You might want a pal to appear at the back of the mirror to help ensure you’re guiding the mirror onto the hooks correctly.
3. Heavy-Duty Mounting Tape
Smaller mirrors may well be established with traditional mounting tape, but heavy mirrors require more desirable tape.
The main benefit of utilizing tape to mount a replicate is that it leaves virtually no damage to your wall. Consider hanging your mirror with mounting tape if you’re renting or are keen on filling holes in your drywall. Mounting tape additionally requires no hardware in your mirror frame or wall.
Mounting tape is the simplest method on this list, yet it’s additionally the least secure. While selecting a double-sided mounting tape, study the packaging cautiously to make certain it may hold the burden of your mirror.
Try Scotch-Mount Extreme Double-Sided Tape on Amazon. An insignificant 60 inches (152 cm) of this tape can carry 30 pounds (13.5 kg), and you can use it on indoor and outside surfaces.
Clean the Wall
Thoroughly wipe down the wall wherein you desire your mirror, especially whether it is outside. Dust and different small particles can interfere with the tape’s adhesive abilities. Don’t be afraid to wipe down the again of the reflect either. It’s necessarily greater to be safe than sorry.
Cut the Tape and Follow It to the Mirror
Start unrolling the tape. Cut sections of tape that will healthy the edges of your mirror. Reduce enough tape to cover the total perimeter of your replicate or frame.
Apply the tape to the again of your mirror. Press down firmly at the tape to ensure there aren’t any air bubbles trapped below it.
Peel off the tape backing.
Mount the Mirror
Press the replicate to the wall. Hold your mirror firmly to the wall and devoid of relocating as directed through the mounting tape instructions. Almost all mounting tape brands will comprise instructions. However, if you’re using leftover tape and can’t find instructions online, be sure you hold it in region for a minimum of 60 seconds.
4. French Cleat Brackets
French cleats are a really secure method of hanging heavy objects, yet they require you to put in some hardware on the again of your mirror.
These interlocking brackets supply a sturdy, point thanks to hang your mirror. OOK sells a French Cleat Photo and Reflect Hanger that may hold up to 60 kilos (27 kg).
Install the Exact Cleat to the Mirror
Referring to the directions in your French cleat kit, connect the 1st cleat to the returned of your mirror. Align the cleat with the tip of your mirror.
Then, using a screwdriver, fasten the cleat with the provided screws.
Install the Bottom Cleat to the Wall
Again, consult with the directions that include your French cleats.
Use a stud finder to detect a stud in the wall in which you want your mirror. Determine in which at the stud you desire the end of the replicate to sit. Make a mark in pencil just below that spot.
Hold the cleat up to speed and make sure it is level. Utilizing a screwdriver, fasten the cleat to the wall with the presented screws.
Mount the Mirror
After the two cleats are securely screwed in, lift your mirror over the cleat in the wall. Gently lower it until the mirror cleat catches on the wall cleat.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, you don’t need nails to hang a heavy mirror. There are numerous how you can dangle it devoid of causing lasting damage on your wall.
Whether you choose to use mounting tape, cleats, anchors, or hooks, appreciate your new mirror with out the trouble of a hammer and nails.