Plaster walls are quite common. And if you’re just moving to your new home, then you might have just recently discovered that your walls are made from plaster. Hammering a nail into the plaster wall to hang a picture might not be the most effective tactic. However, it is still possible to hang pictures all over your home nonetheless. Show
There are various ways of plastering old walls: over wood lath, over rock lath, wire lath, or big 16×48 sheets of drywall. Wire lath is commonly found in old homes, especially behind tile. Walls were plastered with three coats or even more, which made the walls tougher, and it made it significantly harder to hang pictures, for example. One thing is for certain: hammering nails into the plaster is a quick way to get your plaster ruined and damaged. You may not notice the damage at first, but you may notice the plaster coming off the walls with time if it goes unchecked. So how to hang pictures on plaster walls without doing damage? Let’s take a look at the best options of how to hand pictures on plaster walls without ruining them. The Fundamental Differences Between Plaster and DrywallImage source: AS Hanging Display Systems If you want to use the conventional devices for hanging things on the walls, then they are very likely made for drywall, not plaster. The whole complexion changes – from finding the stud in the wall to using the right tools and fasteners. Here are the main differences between plaster and a drywall.
Method# 1: For Lightweight Pictures with Adhesive HangerThe first thing you’ll want to do is to weigh the picture you want to hang. For this method, we’ll be taking a look at pictures that weigh 5lbs (2.25kg) or less. Also, you will need to consider the average humidity in the room. If the room is humid or at least above average when it comes to this aspect, then this method won’t work very well. Moisture causes the adhesive tape to loosen and weaken quickly. Here are the steps of how to hang pictures on plaster walls with adhesive hanger.
Method# 2: For Medium to Heavyweight Pictures with Screws and Wall AnchorsAdhesive tape won’t do for slightly heavier pictures. Instead, you will want to use screws, or screws with masonry anchors for the pictures that are slightly heavier. To get the job done, it will probably be enough to screw into the plaster with a 1 ¼” drywall screw. Get your free ebook!Subscribe to receive an awesome ebook filled with interior design inspiration that you can use for your home. It’s better if you can set up the screws and anchors in such a way that they hit the wood lath behind the plaster. This will make it slightly more durable and will provide an extra hold. It’s pretty easy to tell if you hit the lath, as the screw will normally grab better. Don’t worry if you miss – simply take the screw out and aim half an inch away from where you last tried. Here’s how to hang pictures on plaster walls with screws and wall anchors.
Method# 3: For Heavy Pictures with Picture RailA picture rail is a thin piece of horizontal molding which will normally sit around 12-20 inches below the ceiling. These were designed specifically to be placed on plaster walls to not do too much damage to the wall when you hang pictures. They are great for heavier pictures, as they are durable enough and don’t damage the wall. Picture rails are designed for giving you some space for hanging pieces and artwork into your rooms, such as mirrors, art, pictures, and especially heavier items that would normally damage the plaster walls. And you won’t even need to drill holes into the plaster. Here are the steps to do it.
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Previous article How to paint bathroom cabinets and make them look good Next article 6 Tips for Painting a Room How do you hang things on a plastered wall?As mentioned earlier, avoid using nails on plaster wall because they will likely cause the drywall to crack. Instead, use a screw, because they won't break the plaster wall. Screws will also hold a lot better because they will fasten into the lath behind the drywall.
Is it hard to hang things on plaster walls?It's actually not too hard to hang things on plaster walls, however, as long as you use screws and work slowly and carefully. Pre-drill the holes, and use fairly long screws to ensure a secure fit. If you're hanging heavy objects, use screws with anchors for added protection.
Do adhesive hooks work on plaster?For best results, clean surfaces with rubbing alcohol before installing any type of adhesive hook. Option 3: Standard picture-hanging hooks work wonders in plaster walls. These small “J” shaped metal hooks come in various sizes and can hold up to 100 pounds of weight.
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