Plaster walls are common in many homes, adding character and charm to a space. But when it comes to hanging heavy objects, such as hang pictures, shelves, or mirrors, the question of how much weight a plaster wall can hold often arises. Understanding the weight limits of a plaster wall is crucial to prevent damage to both the wall and your precious belongings.
The weight that a plaster wall can hold depends on several factors, including the plaster’s thickness, the wall’s condition, and the type of anchor or fastener used. On average, a plaster wall can support around 5-10 pounds of weight per square foot, meaning a 2-square-foot section can hold up to 20 pounds.
Objects with uneven weight distribution, such as a large framed mirror, may require additional support, such as using wall studs or screwing into plaster directly and adding a brace. When hanging heavy items on plaster walls, it is always best to err on the side of caution and use anchors or fasteners designed to hold extra weight, such as toggle bolts or sleeve-type anchors.
Additionally, a magnetic stud finder can help locate the studs in the wall, providing extra support and stability for heavy items. In our guide, you can learn more about how much weight can a plaster wall hold. By the end, you’ll better understand what you need to install heavy-duty shelving and whether can drywall hold that kind of weight. (Read Can You Reuse Wall Anchors)
Understanding Plaster Walls
Plaster walls are popular due to their durability and aesthetic appeal. However, it’s important to understand their weight-bearing capacity when it comes to hanging items on plaster walls.
Plaster vs. Drywall Weight Capacity
Both plaster and drywall can hold roughly the same amount of weight. A screw driven into a wall surface without a stud in both plaster and drywall can hold 80-100 pounds (36-45 kilos). Anchored screws or other fasteners are set into the wall where no stud can hold up to 20 pounds (9 kilos).
However, it’s important to note that different types of plaster walls have various weight-bearing capacities. Traditional plaster walls can hold up to 50 pounds in drywall and up to 80 pounds in traditional plaster. On the other hand, a good quality, 3-coat plaster job on a wooden lath wall will hold approximately 10 lbs. weight per square foot of wall area, while a heavier 4-coat plaster job on the same wall surface will hold roughly 15 lbs. per square foot.
Plaster Vs. Drywall Hanging Pictures
When hanging items on plaster walls, it’s essential to use the right type of drywall anchor. Plastic drywall anchors are a popular choice for hollow drywall, but they may not be strong enough for plaster walls. Instead, use metal anchors or toggle bolts to hang pictures on plaster walls. It’s also important to note that drilling into plaster walls requires more care than drilling into drywall. Drywall Vs. Plaster anchors differ as plaster walls are harder and more brittle than drywall, so you need a sharp drill bit and avoid applying too much pressure.
Covering the area with blue tape before drilling can also help prevent cracking. Overall, understanding the plaster walls’ capacity in weight and drywall anchor type for other walls helps ensure items are hung safely and securely. Note: drywall stud anchors spread further than the fasteners you pre-drill and screw into a wall stud or wall to hang pictures. (Learn How To Connect A Porch Roof To House)
How Much Weight Plaster Walls Hold?
Plaster walls are popular with many homeowners due to their durability and soundproofing qualities.
Factors That Affect Weight Capacity
The weight capacity of plaster depends on several factors, including the thickness of the application, the presence of wood lath, and the condition of the wall. Generally, plaster walls can hold up to 20 pounds of weight per anchor when using the proper techniques and anchors. However, it’s important to note that the weight capacity can vary depending on the type of anchor used.
Best Anchors for Plaster Walls
When hanging heavy items on plaster walls, it’s essential to use suitable anchors to hang things to ensure they are securely attached.
Here are some of the best anchors for plaster walls:
- Toggle bolts: These are ideal for heavy items and can hold up to 100 pounds on walls and 50 pounds on ceilings. They require a pre-drilled hole and are easy to install.
- Molly bolts: These are sleeve-type anchors that can hold up to 50 pounds and are ideal for medium-weight items. They require a pre-drilled hole and are easy to install.
- Butterfly anchors: These are plastic sleeves that can hold up to 20 pounds and are ideal for light items. They require a pre-drilled hole and are easy to install.
- Drywall plugs are ideal for attaching items requiring extra support, such as doorbell chimes and smoke alarms. They need a pre-drilled hole and are easy to install.
It’s important to note that when using any of these anchors, it’s best to have stud finders on a stud or ceiling joist for extra support. A stud finder can help locate studs and ceiling joists, making finding the ideal location for hanging items easier.
Hanging Pictures and Wall Art
When hanging pictures and wall art on plaster walls, choosing the proper hardware and tools is essential to ensure that your artwork stays securely in place.
Here are some tips to help you hang your pictures and wall art on plaster walls.
Choosing the Right Hardware
When choosing hardware for hanging pictures and wall art on plaster walls, it’s essential to consider the weight of the object you want to hang. A flat-mounted hook or adhesive strip may be sufficient for lightweight objects, such as small picture frames. For heavier objects, such as large picture frames or mirrors, additional cost specialized hanging hardware may be necessary.
Tools You’ll Need
You’ll need a few essential tools to hang pictures and wall art on wood or plaster walls, including a stud finder, a drill, a pilot to drill a hole or bit, and the appropriate hanging hardware for your object. You may also need molly bolts or toggle bolts for heavier objects. (Read Can You Convert A Gas Dryer To Electric)
Step-by-Step Guide
- Determine where to hang your object and use a stud finder to locate the studs in your wall.
- Use a pencil to mark where you want to hang your object.
- Drill a pilot hole into the wall at the marked location.
- Insert the appropriate hanging hardware into the pilot hole.
- Hang your object on the hardware.
For objects that are too heavy to hang on a single hook or nail, consider using a picture rail or a curtain rod to distribute the weight evenly across the wall. You can also screw directly or use mirror clips to secure mirrors or other large objects to the wall.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using specialized hanging hardware, and never exceed the weight limit specified for the hardware.
Other Items You Can Hang on Plaster Walls
Many options exist beyond picture frames and mirrors when hanging items on plaster walls. Here are some other things you can depend on for plaster walls:
Towel Racks and Heavy Duty Shelving
Towel racks and heavy-duty shelving can be hung on plaster walls, but it’s essential to use the proper hardware and installation techniques. For a towel rack, it’s recommended to use toggle bolts or molly bolts rated for at least 50 pounds. For heavy-duty shelving, it’s best to attach the brackets to wall studs with screws rated for at least 150-200 pounds.
Small Ceiling Fan and Smoke Alarms
Small ceiling fans and smoke alarms can also be installed on plaster walls, but it’s vital to hang items like an electrical box securely to a wall stud with screws driven in or use other anchors that won’t short and will keep things secure.
Ceiling joists need to be used as the areas you fasten to are not stable enough to hold such weight. Stud finders can help finding studs and electrical wires in your ceiling. If the electrical box is not attached to a wall stud, it’s recommended to use toggle bolts or molly bolts rated for at least 50 pounds.
Curtain Rods and Doorbell Chimes
Curtain rods and doorbell chimes can be hung on plaster walls using various hardware options. For curtain rods, it’s recommended to use brackets that attach to wall studs with screws rated for at least 50 pounds. For doorbell chimes, it’s best to use toggle bolts or molly bolts with screws rated for at least 50 pounds.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the amount of weight that plaster walls can hold depends on several factors, including the quality and thickness of the plaster, as well as how it is applied. Generally speaking, a good quality, 3-coat plaster job on a wooden lath wall will hold approximately 10 lbs. per square foot of wall area for picture rails, while a heavier 4-coat plaster job can sometimes hold weight up to around 20 lbs. per square foot.
When hanging pictures or other decorative objects on plaster walls, a thin nail or picture hanger is recommended, and avoiding adhesive strips or hooks is recommended. For heavier objects, it may be necessary to find studs with a stud finder to locate a wooden lath behind the plaster and use a strong toggle bolt or similar to hold more weight. Nails can be a more straightforward solution as nails can be hammered into any wooden wall stud after pre-drilling a small hole to avoid splits. (Learn How To Fill Gap Between Baseboard And Tile Floor)
However, nails are suitable for most large wood stud yet unsuitable for use on drywall, and you should stick to drywall anchors unless using a wall stud. Compared to a drywall wall, plaster walls generally have a higher weight capacity to hang things, but they also require more care and attention when hanging objects. It is crucial to consider the weight of the object being suspended and the location and condition of the wall before attempting to hang anything on plaster walls.
