Plasterboard Fixings (20)

Plasterboard Fixings: Your Comprehensive Guide to Fixings For Plasterboard

Our range of plasterboard fixings are available in a range of styles, sizes and materials from leading brands including Fischer, Timco and Plasplugs. We offer the option of plastic or heavier duty metal cavity anchors that are suitable for domestic and commercial applications to secure mirrors, pictures, smoke detectors, curtain rods and blinds.

These cost-effective, lightweight fixings are designed to provide the efficient support and secure long-lasting fixing of dry-walling or plasterboard with swift installation, often with anti-rotation to ensure optimum grip. Suitable for use with various load-bearing tasks on a range of surfaces and include self-drilling, expanding cavity anchors and spring loaded toggle fixings to spread the load over a wider area.

The following guide will help to provide further information relating to plasterboard fixings, including their types, functionality, installation recommendations, and tips for optimal performance.

Table of Contents

1. What Type of Plasterboard Fixings Are There?
2. How Do I Choose The Right Plasterboard Fixing?
3. What Do Plasterboard Fixings Do?
4. What Are The Common Mistakes When Installing Plasterboard Fixings?
5. How Do I Install Plasterboard Fixings?

1. What Type of Plasterboard Fixings Are There?

There are several types of fixings for plasterboard walls available, each designed for specific applications depending on the weight of the object being hung and the condition of the wall. Here is a brief summary of the most common types:

• Plastic Expansion Plugs: Ideal for basic, low-weight applications e.g. light fixtures, small shelves, and pictures. The plug expands as the screw is tightened, holding it securely in place
• Toggle Bolts: Suitable for heavier items like large mirrors or shelves. Toggle bolts have a spring-loaded mechanism that opens up behind the plasterboard, distributing the weight across a larger area
• Metal Plasterboard Anchors (Molly Bolts): For medium to heavy loads, such as cabinets or heavier shelving. These are metal fixings that expand behind the plasterboard when the screw is tightened, creating a strong hold
• Self-Drilling Drywall Screws (or Drywall Anchors): These are ideal for lightweight fixtures, like picture frames and small shelves. These screws have a drill-like point and can be directly screwed into the plasterboard without pre-drilling a hole
• Winged Plasterboard Fixings: Use these on heavy items such as large mirrors, cabinets, or shelves. These fixings feature wings that expand behind the plasterboard, providing a very strong grip
• Hammer-in Fixings (Nail-in Plugs) For light to medium loads like curtain rails or smaller shelves. The fixing is hammered directly into the wall, and once in place, the screw is inserted into the anchor. The nail or plug expands within the plasterboard
• Coated Plasterboard Fixings: Suitable for light to medium loads and are similar to plastic plugs with added durability but designed with a coating that prevents pulling out
• Cavity Wall Fixings: Can be adjusted to fit a variety of panel and post sizes, providing flexibility during installation
• Clips or Adhesive Fixings: Ideal for temporary or light-duty applications to avoid damage to the wall or when fixing something without drilling. They work with adhesive pads or clip mechanisms that stick to the wall

Plasterboard fixings are used to provide a secure and stable way to attach items to plasterboard (drywall) walls, which on their own might not be strong enough to support the weight of heavy objects.

2. How Do I Choose The Right Plasterboard Fixing?

Choosing the right plasterboard cavity wall fixing depends on a few factors like the weight of the object that is being hung, the type of wall you're attatching to, and the size of the hole you're drilling. Here’s a brief list of items to consider:

• Weight of The Object: For lightweight objects (less than 5Kg) use plastic plugs or screw-in plasterboard fixings. These are good for things like small pictures or light shelves. For medium weight objects (5Kg - 15Kg) use Spring toggle fixings. Molly bolts, or drill-in toggle bolts are better for heavier items like mirrors or mid-weight shelves (15Kg and above). For really heavy-duty use, you’ll need heavy-duty toggle bolts, expansion anchors, or resin-based fixings. You might also want to consider using a stud finder to locate studs for added support
• Wall Type: For standard plasterboard most basic plasterboard fixings will work as long as you choose based on weight. For Plaster over Lath you might need more heavy-duty fixings since the plaster can crack easily so use things like Molly bolts that expand behind the plaster. If you’re attaching to metal studs, you’ll want fixings designed specifically for them, like self-tapping screws
• Fixing Type: For very light objects, Nail-in Plugs offer the simplest but weakest option. Screw-in Fixings go deeper into the plasterboard, providing a strong grip for medium-weight items. Whilst Toggle Bolts are great for heavier objects since they spread the load over a wider area behind the board
• Self-Drilling Drywall Screws (or Drywall Anchors): These are ideal for lightweight fixtures, like picture frames and small shelves. These screws have a drill-like point and can be directly screwed into the plasterboard without pre-drilling a hole
• Ease of Installation: Plastic Plugs & Screws are easy to install with just a drill and screwdriver. However, Toggle Bolts & Molly Bolts can be trickier to install but offer much more support, especially for heavy items

If you are unsure, it's better to go for a slightly stronger fixing than what you think you need, especially if you plan to load the item over time.

3. What Do Plasterboard Fixings Do?

Plasterboard wall plugs from C&W Berry are used to provide a secure and stable way to attach items to plasterboard (drywall) walls, which on their own might not be strong enough to support the weight of heavy objects. Here's why they are so useful:

1. Weight Distribution: Plasterboard is often too fragile to hold screws or nails on its own, especially for heavier items. Fixings, such as heavy duty plasterboard wall plugs, anchors, or toggle bolts, help distribute the weight across a larger surface area, preventing the plasterboard from breaking or pulling away from the wall
2. Prevent Damage: Without proper fixings, trying to hang something heavy directly on plasterboard can cause the material to crack or crumble, which can damage both the wall and the item being hung
3. Safety: If you’re hanging anything heavy, like shelves, mirrors, or cabinets, using plasterboard fixings ensures that the weight is safely supported. This reduces the risk of the object falling or the wall being damaged
4. Variety of Fixings For Different Loads: There are various types of plasterboard fixings designed for different weight loads. For example, self-expanding anchors work well for medium weights, while toggle bolts can be used for heavier loads, ensuring that the appropriate type of fixing is used for the job

Basically, using plasterboard fixings from C&W Berry will ensure your attachments are more secure and reliable, and will help to prevent damage to both the wall and the objects being mounted.

4. What Are The Common Mistakes When Installing Plasterboard Fixings?

When installing fixings for screwing into plasterboard, there are several common errors people make that can lead to weak or damaged installations. Here are a few:

• Not Using The Right Fixing For The Job: Choosing the wrong type of fixing for the weight of the item being hung can lead to it coming loose. For example, using screws or nails that are too small for heavy objects or not using a plasterboard anchor when needed
• Over-Tightening Fixings: Using screws or nails that are too short or not corrosion-resistant can lead to bracket failure or rust over time, especially in outdoor conditions
• Installing Directly Into The Plasterboard: Simply screwing or nailing directly into the plasterboard without using an appropriate anchor or fixing is a big mistake. Plasterboard is not strong enough on its own to hold significant weight. Using anchors like toggle bolts, plasterboard plugs, or expanding wall anchors can help distribute the weight
• Not Locating Studs or Joists: Failing to find the studs or wooden battens behind the plasterboard means you’ll be relying entirely on the plasterboard, which may not support heavy loads. A stud finder or tapping the wall to listen for solid areas can help locate these hidden supports
• Placing Fixings Too Close to The Edge: When installing fixings near the edge of the plasterboard, there’s a risk of causing the board to crack. Always leave a few inches from the edge when installing fixings to avoid damage
• Using The Wrong Tools: Not using a drill or screwdriver with the correct torque setting or size of bit can cause damage to the plasterboard or make the fixings not secure enough. It’s important to ensure you are using the right tools for the job
• Ignoring Load Limits: Each type of fixing has a maximum load capacity, and exceeding this can cause failure. It’s important to choose fixings that are rated for the weight of the item you are hanging
• Failing To Mark Correct Fixing Positions: Sometimes, people eyeball where to put the fixings instead of measuring and marking the correct position. This can lead to uneven placement or misaligned items

Making sure to address these potential issues can help prevent problems and ensure your plasterboard fixings are secure.

5. How Do I Install Plasterboard Fixings?

Installing plasterboard wall fixings is a simple process, but you’ll need to make sure you use the right type for your wall and the weight of the item you're fixing. Here’s a brief summary of things to consider when installing plasterboard fixings:

1. Choose The Right Fixing: Select the appropriate plasterboard fixing for the weight of the item. If it’s a light item, self-drilling plugs might suffice. For heavier items, use toggle bolts or butterfly anchors, which spread the load across a larger area of the plasterboard
2. Drill Pilot Holes: Some fixings, like self-drilling plugs, don't require pre-drilling. However, if you’re using toggle bolts or others, you may need to drill a hole in the plasterboard at the marked spot. Make sure the hole is the right size for the fixing
3. Insert The Fixing: For self-drilling plugs, simply screw them into place by hand or with a drill. For toggle bolts or butterfly anchors, slide the anchor through the hole, then tighten until it’s secure. When the toggle bolt or anchor is fully extended, it will hold firmly against the back of the plasterboard
4. Attach The Item: Once the fixing is in place, use screws to attach your item (shelves, pictures, etc.) to the fixings. Make sure the screws are tight but avoid over-tightening, as this can damage the plasterboard or the fixing
5. Double-Check The Fit: Before hanging anything, gently pull on the item to make sure the fixings are securely in place

If you’re unsure about the weight or type of the wall plug fixing you need, it's always a good idea to ask one of the experts at C&W Berry for recommendations.

For further technical information relating to our range of plasterboard fixng products, please telephone our main sales line on 01772 431 216 or email [email protected].