6 Ways to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home You'll need to check a few things before you buy the hardware. Determine what type of wall you have: drywall, plaster or masonry. To see if you have drywall or plaster, push a tack into the wall. If it goes in easily, it's drywall. A hanging mirror has to have a strong frame. If your new mirror already has hardware attached, it's safe to hang. If you're not sure about an old mirror, you can reinforce the frame with angle brackets. Weigh the mirror — a bathroom scale works fine. Hardware weight limits are listed on the hardware packaging. Pick a spot to hang the mirror. Locating it over a stud is helpful, but not necessary with the right anchors. Always mark the center of the stud, and keep in mind utilities might be attached to it if the stud is near a light switch, outlet or faucet. To learn how to locate studs see How to Find Studs in Walls. Hang a Mirror Using Hooks Hold the mirror in place — close to eye level.

Mark the wall near the center of the top edge with a pencil or painter's tape. CautionEnlist a helper if the mirror is heavy. On the back of the mirror you'll probably see D-rings or a wire. You can hang rings or wire from two hooks on the wall. To get the right space between the hooks, stick a long piece of tape on a level and mark the space between the D-rings. Set the level aside. Lock one of the mounting hooks on the ring as it will be positioned on the wall. Measure from the mounting hole in the hook to the top of the mirror. Transfer this distance to the wall, measuring down from the line you marked in Step 1. Center your level on the wall and mark the location for the hook mounting holes. If you're in line with a stud, secure the hardware to it. If not, install a wall anchor and attach the hardware. Good to KnowAll-in-one screw and anchor products are available. Add bumpers to the bottom of the mirror to prevent scratching the wall.

Gently hang the mirror on the hooks. Hang a Mirror Using Cleats You can also use metal cleats to hang mirrors with sturdy frames; just follow the package directions. Usually, you position the top cleat at the top of the frame, make shallow holes and attach it with the included screws.Magnetic Vinyl Flooring Tiles Good to KnowUse an awl to make starter holes for the screws.Patio Furniture Sale Calgary On the wall, level the bottom cleat, and secure it with screws.Digital Camera Silicone Case CautionUse wall anchors if the bottom cleat isn't lined up over wall studs. Set the mirror in place. What Would Bob Do? Hanging a Heavy Mirror Bob Vila answers a reader's question about how to hang a heavy mirror.

To submit a question of your own, visit the Forum! What would be the best way to hang a 40-pound framed mirror? Should I find the studs in the wall or use a picture hook without finding the stud? Your mirror is too heavy for picture hooks, but for a wall surface made of drywall or plaster, a wall anchor would likely do the trick. A variety of anchors are available these days, each with a slightly different design; all are more reliable than the old-fashioned ribbed plastic plugs. In your case, I would recommend a winged anchor, such as the Pop-Toggle from Hillman, in part because its screw may be withdrawn and reinserted any number of times. That flexibility comes in handy if you have not determined precisely where to position the mirror. Besides winged anchors, other options include self-drilling screw anchors, molly bolts, and strap toggles. First check to see how each one is rated for the type of wall material on which you’re planning to hang your mirror. Related: 5 Favorite Picture Hanging Tricks

The only downside of relying on studs is that you cannot control their location; they are seldom located on the part of the wall where you want to hang an item. But if you get lucky and there happens to be a stud in the position where you would like to hang a mirror, then use a 2½-inch wood screw for a wall with ½-inch drywall. For plaster walls, use a 3-inch screw in order to be certain that at least two inches of the screw threads bite into the stud. I am trying to hang a 75-pound mirror on a brick wall. I have 100-pound gauge wire (doubled), heavy-duty hooks, and masonry nails, but I’m still afraid it’s going to fall. Do the masonry nails go into the brick or the mortar? Is there a safe way to do this? If you want to hang a heavy mirror on a brick wall, it’s a little more work. But in comparison to drywall or plaster, a brick wall is able to carry a much heavier load. As above, you have a variety of wall anchors from which to choose. Newer polyethylene expansion anchors, like the Poly-Set (from Red Head), twist as you drive them in;

the result is superior holding power. Remember that you will need a masonry drill bit of the diameter specificied by the anchor manufacturer. To submit a question of your own, visit the Forum!Whether your goal is to fix, tinker, build or make something better, your next adventure in DIY starts here.3 Tips for Drilling Super-Straight HolesThey're never around when you need them most, like when you're hanging items on the wall. Use one of these 7 hollow-wall anchors instead.Hanging Stuff on the Wall Without a StudAnchors Array! Hanging Stuff on the Wall Without a StudPlastic sleeves provide enough friction within drywall to hold small picture frames and mirrors. Back in the day, DIYers made their own sleeves from scrap wire insulation. Split-ribbed anchors open up as you install the screw, so they hold better than sleeves. They don't endure daily abuse, though, so use something else for the towel bar. 10 Tools You Need to Survive This Summer The 6 Best Workwear Jackets to Keep You Warm and Dry