Start installing the shelves using the drywall anchors by considering the following safety measures. How Do I Anchor Shelves Into a Plaster Wall? Turn the shelf face down on a flat surface. The drywall anchors will go into these holes. Before you set out on installing the shelf you must make sure you buy the right kind of drywall anchors. Recommended weight capacities are marked on the packaging. Check the packaging to see if the length is listed there. Use work gloves to protect against pinching or scraping your skin. A small hole will help in making sure that the anchor is fastened securely onto the drywall. Lay a bracket on the board 4 to 6 inches from each end of the shelf. Pick out an open spot along the wall to situate your shelves. Before drilling, you need to take note of the size of the hole required. You can install heavy shelves with confidence that they will remain stable and secure, by using brackets. A common mistake while installing a shelf on a wall is to drill the holes in a slant position. It will help you when determining where to drill the pilot holes to anchor the shelf to the wall..[1] X Research source Save the size measurement for later. If this is the case for you, using drywall anchors is the answer. home improvement and repair website. Some shelves will require you to place it onto the screws. Use a measuring tape and a pencil to measure the breadth of the shelf and mark it on the wall. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Turn the shelf face down on a flat surface. If you have allergies, consider a face mask. plywood with a 45-degree bevel on one edge. suggestions. Read on to find out more. Shelves that are not installed with adequate support may fail. However, there are a couple important factors you’ll want to consider when choosing a mounting site, such as proximity to the nearest wall studs and the size of your shelves in relation to nearby objects. Measure the length of the shelf you are installing. Known as “molly bolts” or simply “mollies,” these metal sleeve-type hollow wall … You may also come across a few shelves that require you to first place the shelf onto the anchors and then follow it up with the screws. After handing the shelf on the wall, step back and observe. Drive the screws through the bracket into the toggle bolt assemblies. The exact position of your shelves is mostly a matter of preference. Depending on that get a strong enough drywall anchor. Ross was featured on the cover of "Instore Buyer" magazine and his articles have appeared on various websites. The screws help the tail of the drywall anchor to spread out behind the wall to counterbalance the weight. Make use of each available hole in order to provide adequate support for a heavy shelf. A level will help you ascertain that the shelf sits on a straight line. Locate the spot on the wall where the shelf is being installed. Use a hammer to introduce the anchors into the holes. Line up the back of the bracket with the rear of the shelf. Lay a bracket on the board 4 to 6 inches from each end of the shelf. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. Eye protection is also a good idea to avoid dust particles causing irritation. Adding storage space to your room by installing a shelf is an easy task. Back out the screws from the toggle bolt assemblies and line up the holes in the shelf brackets with the toggle bolt assemblies installed in the wall. You can screw one or more lengths of wall cleats across the entire wall, then easily relocate shelves, or add more shelves at a later date. Do not use a power screwdriver to tighten the screws in the toggle bolt. What You Need. Make a pencil mark on the shelf in each of the holes in the bracket. If the shelf has two notches for nails or screws, measure and mark the distance between them and make sure they are level. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. The wings on the toggle bolt pop open in the open space behind the wall. These bolts are rated from 50 to 115 pounds; choose the ones that provide a strong enough anchor for the weight of shelf you are hanging. Use a screwdriver to tighten the screws. Measure the brackets and mark the points on the drywall. Position the shelf on the wall and place a carpenter's level on top of it. The position of the screw into the anchor has a huge role in ascertaining the stability of the shelf. Be sure to place the anchors through the brackets if the shelf came with brackets. I... Hi. Drywall — especially the commonly used 1/2-inch-thick size — supports heavy weights when the shelving is properly installed.