How much can a drywall hold?

kitco · 9 Oct 2011 at 10:19 AM

I recently ordered a TV weighing 38kg that I plan to hang on a wall made of only one layer of plasterboard. Will it be able to support the TV if I hang it with metal expanders? If so, how many do I need to use and what size should I use, is M5-M6 sufficient?

raveper · 9 Oct 2011 at 1:17 PM

Try to hit a rule and use M5 in the rest of the holes.

tomlan · 9 Oct 2011 at 1:29 PM

It's not just the weight that counts, for example, how large is the wall mount? if it is smaller, it has to be mounted on a stud; if it is larger, like 60 width, it works fine if it's not swivel and the TV is fixed close to the wall, but if it's that large, you probably have a stud behind somewhere anyway, so stud + others with expansion bolts.

kitco · 9 Oct 2011 at 2:31 PM

Okay, the house was built in 1953, does anyone know how large the distance between the studs might be?

raveper · 9 Oct 2011 at 4:34 PM

Try tapping on the wall. The rule is usually where it sounds a bit more solid. Then you can measure to the next rule.

Thomas59 · 9 Oct 2011 at 5:11 PM

There are absolutely no problems with mounting a TV on simple plasterboard. However, forget "Molly", it's just junk. Instead, buy Snap Toggle http://www.imexab.se/swe/snap_toggle.html.

The M5/M6 variant can handle 132 kg/each in 13 mm plasterboard and even though there's a bit of lever effect since the TV sticks out a bit, you have a good margin as the wall mounts normally have 4 attachment points (= 528 kg).

I tested hanging myself (100++) in a top cabinet attached with 2 Snap Toggles and the attachment held without problem while the cabinet frame was about to collapse.

Enk Projektet · 9 Oct 2011 at 6:16 PM

This one is still simpler...E1509111

slacker · 9 Oct 2011 at 6:33 PM

kitco said:
Ok, the house is built in 1953, does anyone know how big the distance between the studs might be?

If it's built in 1953, I have a hard time seeing that it's drywall at all?! Is it possible that you have Tretex boards on tongue and groove? Tretex can feel somewhat like drywall I would guess - But softer. Unless that wall was put up after the fact.

Make a hole with a drill to "feel" what material the wall is made of.

My house is from 1949 and there it's Tretex on tongue and groove 22mm wood, which means you can screw up just about anything on the walls - It holds!

Thomas59 · 9 Oct 2011 at 6:58 PM

Enk Projektet said:
This one is even simpler...E1509111

Well, to be blunt, almost any drywall anchor will do, even Molly even though it's junk.

Whether the Maxiplug would be easier (...to handle...) I'm not sure if I agree, but that's probably a matter of taste......

Enk Projektet · 9 Oct 2011 at 7:06 PM

Thomas59 said:
Well, if we're being blunt, just about any drywall anchor will do, even Molly although it's rubbish.

That Maxiplugg would be simpler (...to handle...) I'm not sure I agree with, but that's probably a matter of taste......

Absolutely, but with Maxiplugg you only need a hammer and then any coarse-threaded screw of your choice.

Matti_75 · 9 Oct 2011 at 7:10 PM

If you want a simple mounting in plasterboard, I recommend this one. It's also available for double plasterboard/lightweight concrete.

Enk Projektet · 9 Oct 2011 at 7:14 PM

Matti_75 said:
If you're looking for a simple mounting in drywall, I recommend this one. It's also available for double drywall/light concrete.

d^_^b

Thomas59 · 9 Oct 2011 at 7:59 PM

Matti_75 said:
If you're looking for a simple fastening in drywall, I recommend this one. Available for double drywall/light concrete as well.

Sure, it is the Maxiplug and it's simple, but it's hardly intended for the type of fastening the OP is asking about, and the maximum vertical load is only 20 kg (x4 to be fair) compared to 132 kg for the Snap Toggle. But yes, the TV will probably stay up

with a bit of luck.

Eddi Thomason · 9 Oct 2011 at 8:05 PM

Thomas59 said:
Yes, it's the Maxiplug and sure it's simple, but hardly intended for the type of mounting that TS is asking about, and the max vertical load is only 20 kg (x4 admittedly) against 132 kg for Snap Toggle but sure, the TV will probably stay with a bit of luck.

I don't know what kind of TV you have if you think 80 kg sounds on the small side.

Enk Projektet · 9 Oct 2011 at 8:11 PM

Just a bit of info, but I think it's enough info about the Maxi plug's existence or non-existence

Maxi drywall plug intended for screw size 3.5 - 5.5 mm.
The specified load values depend on the drywall's thickness and quality.

This plug can also be used for fastening in lightweight concrete and the values are as follows:
Pull-out: 65 - 90 kg
Vertical: 115 - 140 kg.