ᐅ How do I properly mount BILLY shelves on drywall (plasterboard)?
Created on: 5 Jul 2022 09:17
S
soon3
Good morning everyone, I hope you can help me. I want to mount my Billy shelves on a drywall, but I’m unsure about the best and safest way to do it. The wall consists of two layers of drywall with a wooden stud wall behind it. Which fasteners would you recommend to ensure the shelves hold securely without damaging the wall? Are there any special anchors or screws you would suggest? I have read about hollow wall anchors and metal expansion anchors, but I’m not sure which ones are best suited for the load capacity of the Billy shelves. Thanks in advance for your advice!
Dopoki schrieb:
It is recommended to screw the shelves directly into the wooden studsThanks for the tip! I located the studs using a detector—they are about 60 cm (24 inches) apart. My shelves are approximately 80 cm (31 inches) wide and will hold a moderate load of books (around 20 kg (44 lbs) per shelf). So far, I have been hanging them with regular universal wall plugs, which doesn’t feel very secure. I’m thinking of attaching directly to the studs using M6 bolts with metal toggle anchors. Is there a difference between hollow wall anchors and toggle anchors that I should be aware of?
To clarify the terminology: metal toggle anchors are a subtype of cavity anchors. They work by unfolding a toggle behind the drywall panel, which then braces firmly against the back of the panel. Cavity anchors can also be other types, such as snap toggles or expansion anchors. For your application, toggle anchors are best because they securely transfer high loads. It is also important that the screws are long enough to both activate the anchor and reach deep into the wooden stud when fastening directly there.
Oh, I agree: metal toggle anchors hold really securely—I tested this myself on my drywall! 🙂 The important thing is to pre-drill with a good drill and not make the holes too large, otherwise the anchor will lose its holding power. And if the studs are spaced too far apart, you can use a wooden batten as an additional support on the wall. This holds the shelf firmly and even looks neat. Enjoy your new shelves!
After the previous discussion, a supplement regarding installation: If the shelf is mounted at the upper edge, it is recommended to use at least two fixing points per shelf width to ensure an even load distribution. Additionally, care should be taken not to tighten the screws too much to avoid damaging the drywall. A torque wrench is not necessarily required here, but working carefully protects the wall.
Dopoki schrieb:
at least two fixing points per shelf widthThat makes sense, thanks for the advice! I will follow this and be very careful with the screw length and the support points during installation. Many thanks to everyone who has helped me so far – I feel more confident in my planning now. If any more tips regarding wall treatment or mounting materials come up, I’m of course open to them. 🙂
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