How To Hang Pictures On Plaster Walls

When you go to hang something on a plaster wall, as opposed to a wall made from drywall, you will notice that it is not as easy. This is because of the materials that make up a plaster wall. Though it may not be the same technique, it is still easy enough to hang things on a plaster wall, so don’t give up too easily.

When hanging something on a plaster wall it is best to pre-drill the hole first. Put a piece of tape at the spot you will be drilling, as this will help keep the wall from crumbling. Once you mark the spot where you are going to hang your piece, drill a pilot hole that is relative to the size of the mounting hardware you are using.

If you are installing into a stud, screw in a screw leaving enough projecting from the wall for the picture wire to fit into. If you are hanging without the use of a stud, install a molly bolt to hold your piece up.

Plaster walls were primarily used circa 1940, since then builders have switched to using drywall. It is easier and faster to put up drywall than to build a plaster wall, as the process is more involved. To create a plaster wall, a builder will layer strips of wood, also called lath, on top of each other. This creates a solid, thick, and sturdy wall that is great for soundproofing.

This lath wall was connected to the studs, which ran from floor to ceiling. On top of the lath were several layers of plaster, creating a more stylistic wall than the smooth finish of drywall.

As more and more homes focus on the aesthetic, plaster walls are making a comeback. The rough, unique surface provides a throwback to an era when builders were able to imprint more character into their work. The drawback to plaster walls is that they are more brittle, harder to install, and as you will see, hanging things on them is not as straightforward.

The best place to hang anything on a wall is where there is a stud. A stud is a piece of wood or metal that runs vertically from floor to ceiling. This is what the walls are attached to in order to keep them up. They are also able to hold a lot more weight. Studs are placed 16” or 24” apart from each other, if your house was built to code. This makes it easy, once you find one, to find the others.

To find a stud you will need an electronic stud finder or a strong earth magnet. Because the walls are secured into the studs using nails or screws, the stud finder and magnet will pick up on them.

Run the stud finder or magnet across the wall until you find a nail head. Once you do, mark that spot with an X or a piece of tape. Measure from there 16” or 24” to either side to find the next stud.

Regardless of which method you choose, you will need to take measurements in order to find the right place to hang your art piece.

Measure from the floor to the top of the picture, while holding it against the wall where you want it to be. Mark where the top of the picture is. Then measure the back of the picture, from where the wire will be stretched, to the top of the art piece. Subtract this from the mark you just made and that is where you will need to put the screw in order for it to hang at the right height.

The easiest way to hang pictures would be to use adhesive wall hooks. These come in different sizes and are great for lighter art pieces. They are easy to install anywhere and do not require any tools.

The downside to using adhesive wall hooks is that they cannot hold a lot of weight. You must make sure to weigh whatever it is you are hanging first. Follow the directions on the packaging, as these will guide you in how much weight it can hold.

The other downside to using adhesive hooks is that plaster walls are usually not smooth. Because of this, it may be hard to get a solid grip. The wall must be as flat as possible to ensure that the adhesive has a strong connection and grip with the wall.

Related Questions

Do Command Strips Work on Plaster Walls?

Using command strips is an easy way to go when it comes to hanging things on a plaster wall. They work great with small or medium-sized art and won’t damage the structural integrity of the wall. The only drawback is that when you remove them, if you don’t apply a remover first, they may pull some of the paint with them.

Can You Mount A TV on Plaster Walls?

Yes, you certainly can! You just need to make sure that you find a stud when mounting anything heavy, as walls are not meant to support a lot of weight.

How Much Weight Can a Nail Hold in Plaster?

An angled nail can hold about 20 pounds, but a standalone nail isn’t the best choice for hanging art.