The critical factors you need to know when hanging a heavy picture are: Show
'How to hang a picture' seriesThis post considers how to hang a heavy picture, why use heavy duty picture hangers and how to attach them to a frame. It's the second post in a series of posts about how to hang a picture using different types of hanging hardware.
What is a heavy picture?In plain simple terms:
What's the issue with walls?This is the question frequently not asked by people whose large and/or heavy paintings fall off the wall. INTERIOR Walls / DrywallsInterior walls are built using a wooden framework and some form of covering - often plasterboard in modern houses. They're not really suitable for hanging anything heavy. Light and medium sized pictures can be hung on dry partition walls using picture hooks which are hammered into the walls using long hardened or steel pins. However steel pins are not long enough nor are they strong enough to hold heavy weight pictures and should NOT be used - unless you want your picture to fall off the wall. Ideally you should aim to hang medium sized pictures where the stud frame is (i.e. into wood which provides a more stable structure) but the chances are the location of the wall stud does not fit where you'd like to hang your picture. To check their location you need to use a stud locator.
If you know the drywall is robust you can use a special anchor for dry walls. If like me you live in an older house you might find that some of your original interior walls are made of lath and plaster and the rule for these is you absolutely MUST find the wall studs before you hang anything. (I've got a shelf at the top of the lathe and plaster wall I'm currently facing - however it has heavy duty shelf brackets in every single stud as it crosses the wall!) All the artwork I possess - except for the smaller lighter works - are hung on brick walls - see below. EXTERIOR or load bearing wallsDomestic homes will always have exterior walls and load-bearing walls which are suitable for hanging items which are a heavy weight. Typically in the UK the wall is a solid masonry (brick or stone) wall or a concrete block wall. These are the walls from which to hang a very large or very heavy picture (or mirror i.e. there's a good reason why very large mirror are very often found on chimney breasts). That's because this type of wall can take the longer screw length which might be required to get a solid fix. If you're hanging artwork in another sort of space you need to check what sort of wall it is.
One further consideration is the decoration. If you think you might want to move paintings around a lot I wouldn't favour walls which are wall papered! It's easy to fix holes in a painted plaster wall - but sorting out multiple large holes in nice wallpaper is a bit of a challenge! Heavy duty hanging designed to provide a more secure fixing to large and/or heavy pictures. They're made of more robust metal and commonly have at least two if not three screw holes. It requires TWO bits of complementary hardware:
Why use heavy duty hangers?Hanging is basically as good as the weakest point within the apparatus and the level of tension placed on any weaknesses. Hence in general it's advisable not to use wire and d rings for very heavy pictures because it's been known for the wire to create a lot of strain that in turns pulls a one screw D ring out of the back of the frame - and the picture comes crashing down. Heavy duty hanging hardware prevents:
How to attach heavy duty hangers to a heavy pictureBasics: You need:
Process Two - Bigger / heavier pictures hung on two wall fixingsAim: The D ring /loop goes straight over TWO static and robust hooks on the wall - no picture wire or chain involved. Fix hanging straps to either side of the frame. Fix hanging hooks to the wall. Hang the strap over the frame. The process is as follows (omitting the checks as to which sort of drill bit/ rawl plug, screw you need to use)
Watch this video which provides a succinct and professional commentary and instructions for getting your artwork hung safely
Watch this video (below) if you don't have a long spirit level for how to mark up the wall and judge the distance between the two loops and hence get the hook in the right place on the wall (Note the artwork in the video is large but not too heavy or one person to hang and already has D rings attached.) Heavier artwork needs two people to hang it. She is also hanging on to nails - which is NOT advisable with heavy artwork - but the value of this video is the method used for how to get the measurement right without a long spirit level (as seen in the video above).
Below are more videos which demonstrate different techniques used for heavier pictures. The first video demonstrates how to use locators in conjunction with D Rings. This is more suitable for medium sized work.
This next video shows you how to hang a picture using a horizontal interlocking bracket system - which makes it much easier to get the picture on or off the wall. The principle is the same but just using a different type of kit to do provide the hook and hanger. Supplies
This video explains how the Ook hanger works. She's using it on a drywall because of how easy it is to knock in. The bit she misses out can be found on the website i.e.
More information about Hanging Techniques
More posts about framing
How heavy can a picture be to hang on drywall?Hangers and Nails Can Hold the Weight on Drywall
Picture hangers hold pictures on the wall in various sizes. They can hold up to 20 pounds with the proper nail, such as a regular diploma frame. Flat mounted hook and anchor can hold up to 50 pounds.
How heavy of a picture can you hang with wire?The thicker the wire, the heavier the picture it can support—up to a maximum of 36 pounds. picture wire is stronger than braided wire but less flexible. It's best for hanging very large, heavy frames up to 100 pounds. on hands and delicate hanging surfaces, but almost as strong as stainless.
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