Hanging Paintings
We have 3/4 in\ch plaster over brick walls. They have been newly skimcoated and I want to hang paintings on them. The paintings range from 5 to 20lbs, I’m used to drywall, any ideas on what I can do?
We have 3/4 in\ch plaster over brick walls. They have been newly skimcoated and I want to hang paintings on them. The paintings range from 5 to 20lbs, I’m used to drywall, any ideas on what I can do?
Just be careful not to buy the cheaper (Chinese-made?) Ook hooks with brass plated nails;it’s the black hardened nails that make these hangers so effective. I can’t understand the false economy of having a cheaper version of such a small item-a small example of the decline of our civilization 🙂
Yes, I always use the Ook Hangers. They will work best, even in plaster. Use at least 2 for larger pictures..and use two with three nails each. Like Bob said, the nails are very strong and can be driven into most masonry.
All the framed art in our house is hung from ooks hooks and nails — whether into plaster or drywall (we have both). The nails are extremely hard and will penetrate your walls w/o making the mess that comes with using anchors. You can also put a half inch piece of scotch tape ovwer your pencil before you nail to prevent the plaster from crumbling. But if you’ve just skim-coated you likely won’t have that problem anyway. We did however use metal lag shield anchors when hanging two very heavy antique mirrors over our parlor fireplaces.
Thank you all for your advice. Arkady, I do not have picture molding. My husband is really concerned about hanging our art work, and I hate looking at blank walls.
The German-made “Ook” brand hooks, with hardened steel nails, should work fine. The hardened nails go into the plaster at a 45 degree angle; 3/4″ of plaster is more than enough. Use the largest three-nail “100 Lb.” ones (not that you can take that 100′ rating seriously). You might want to use two for the 20’paintings.
If you have picture molding, molding hooks are even better, as long as you don’t mind seeing lots of exposed picture wire.
Tapcons.
Do you have picture molding?
It’s more destructive but really the only way is to drill into the plaster & brick and sink small lag shields or the plastic anchors. I also epoxy them so they hold. Sink them just below the surface of the plaster so that when you want to remove them you can plaster over them.
The other way might be to use the 3M “Command” removable hangers….I don’t think they go up to 20 lbs though.