When it comes time to hanging pictures and mirrors in your home or office there are numerous ways to do it with a variety of hardware options. In this post I am going to explain what hardware I like to use and why I prefer them over other options.
The Nail – Nails are simple and very effective for hanging items on a wall, they are also the cheapest way to hang an object. Nails are small and cause very little to no damage to the wall and are very quick to use. A simple hammer or even the butt of a screwdriver can put a nail in the wall and even a stud if needed. There are a few downsides to using nails; depending on the weight of the object it could cause damage to the wall, they often also get pushed into the wall as you are trying to mount the object on the nail. If you decide to use a nail be sure to angle the nail slightly as it will create a stronger hold.
Wedge Bracket – Wedge brackets are two wedged metal plates that slide into one another to keep the object on the wall. They work excellent for heavier objects such as large mirrors and heavy picture frames. They typically have 4 to 5 screws that go into each wedged bracket. They are strong and easy to install; screw one wedge bracket facing down on the object and the other wedge bracket on the wall with the wedge facing up, slide the object on the wedge and you’re done.
Hanging Hooks – These hooks typically have one or more nails depending on the weight of the object you are hanging. They are my favorite type of hardware to use because they are strong, easy to use, cheap, and quick to install. You can sometimes use a couple of them if the object is large or heavy and they hold great. You can also adjust or move them around easily and can connect to hooks, loops, or wires easily. The only challenge with them is if you have to keep all the pictures or objects even you might make more holes in the wall than desired.
