Drywall Anchors, The Basics}

Submitted by: Jeffrey Richard

Hanging items from drywall can be relatively easy. For instance if you have a small picture to hang, you tap in a small nail and you’re done. Sometimes even a coarse drywall screw will do the job. If you are able to fasten to the stud, it’s even easier. But what is the right drywall anchor to use when you get into a more heavy duty installation. Consider some basics on using drywall anchors.

Plastic Plugs.

Let’s start with the most commonly used, a plastic plug. This is likely the most common anchor supplied with any type of a wall hanging. I am not a big fan of these for several reasons. First off, you must use the right bit and the right screw to set the anchor properly. If you know and understand that fact, they can do a fine job. Not all drywall anchor plugs are equal. A couple of the better ones open up almost like jaws on an alligator. Some will actually knot up behind the drywall.

Self Drilling Drywall Anchors.

I prefer these type of anchors for many of my applications. You will find self drilling anchors for drywall under such names as EZ Anchors, Zip It anchors and others. They look like a cork screw and drive in with a phillips screw driver. Again, you must use the proper diameter screws. You will find them for #6 and #8 screws. You will also find them in both metal and plastic versions. A relatively new version of the self drilling drywall anchors is the Powers Wall Dog. This is a one piece fastener. Simply install through your fixture or hanger and you are done. While offering as much holding power, they are great for many applications as they are very easy to use and make a smaller hole.

Toggle Bolts.

The most holding power you can achieve in a drywall anchor would be a toggle bolt. While toggle bolts can sometimes be a hassle to install and require larger holes than most anchors, they will be the most secure. One toggle bolt that can really make your life easier is the strap toggle. These toggle bolts consist of a bar about the size of a toggle wing on a standard toggle bolt, but they are solid and are mounted to plastic straps. Sometimes they are called zipper toggles for good reason. You slide the bar in through the drywall and zip the straps to pull the bar to the back of the drywall. Then you break off the straps and you now have machine threads in your drywall. These type of toggles are especially useful in applications when you will need to remove and or reinstall a fixture. There also toggles called snap toggles and poly toggles that are plastic butterflies that are still preferred by some.

There are others.

There are other types of drywall anchors including wall grips, wall drives and even a self drilling toggle bolt. What I have tried to cover is the most basic and the most useful type of drywall anchors that will cover most instances you will encounter when needing to fasten to drywall.

About the Author: You can find these

drywall anchors

and more including the

Powers Wall Dog

at ConstructionFastening.Net

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