ᐅ How do I choose the right anchors and screws for securely mounting IKEA BESTA units to walls?
Created on: 19 Jul 2023 09:12
J
Jonfe69
Hello everyone,
I am planning to mount my new IKEA BESTÅ shelf on a living room wall. The walls are masonry, but to be honest, I am unsure which anchors and screws I should use to ensure a secure installation.
I want to avoid the shelf becoming loose or even falling down after some time. It would also be helpful if someone could provide advice on what to consider when choosing anchors and screws, especially regarding different wall materials.
My detailed questions:
- What type of anchor is recommended for a plastered brick wall when installing an IKEA BESTÅ?
- What length and thickness of screws should I choose?
- Do I need special fasteners for heavy BESTÅ units?
- Has anyone had experience with additional reinforcement (e.g., metal brackets) on walls with drywall (plasterboard) or wood?
I look forward to your tips and mainly practical recommendations that other beginners can easily follow. Thanks in advance!
I am planning to mount my new IKEA BESTÅ shelf on a living room wall. The walls are masonry, but to be honest, I am unsure which anchors and screws I should use to ensure a secure installation.
I want to avoid the shelf becoming loose or even falling down after some time. It would also be helpful if someone could provide advice on what to consider when choosing anchors and screws, especially regarding different wall materials.
My detailed questions:
- What type of anchor is recommended for a plastered brick wall when installing an IKEA BESTÅ?
- What length and thickness of screws should I choose?
- Do I need special fasteners for heavy BESTÅ units?
- Has anyone had experience with additional reinforcement (e.g., metal brackets) on walls with drywall (plasterboard) or wood?
I look forward to your tips and mainly practical recommendations that other beginners can easily follow. Thanks in advance!
In addition to choosing the right anchors and screws, it is important to work carefully:
- Drill properly, not too large or too small
- Use a hammer drill for brick
- Pre-drill plaster if necessary, making sure not to cause cracks
In my experience, this greatly affects the holding strength.
- Drill properly, not too large or too small
- Use a hammer drill for brick
- Pre-drill plaster if necessary, making sure not to cause cracks
In my experience, this greatly affects the holding strength.
Paxton38 schrieb:
It is important to check the plaster for cracks before drilling, as this can affect the stability.Thank you for the clear advice. Could you please explain in more detail how to determine if the plaster is strong enough, or from when it is better to drill only into the masonry? My plaster is an older, light textured plaster.
For older rough plasters, it is recommended to start drilling the holes carefully and, after a short test with the drill, assess whether the plaster is free of loose areas.
In general, the screw should be anchored so that the anchor is fully embedded in the solid masonry, not just in the plaster. If the plaster is crumbly, a slightly larger hole for the plaster can help to ensure that the plaster does not bear the load.
In general, the screw should be anchored so that the anchor is fully embedded in the solid masonry, not just in the plaster. If the plaster is crumbly, a slightly larger hole for the plaster can help to ensure that the plaster does not bear the load.
I understand that this topic can be unsettling, especially with older walls. I felt the same way when I was hanging my BESTÅ. My advice: if you have serious doubts, you can do a test at an inconspicuous spot using a single screw and wall plug, then remove it afterward to check the strength.
This helped me get a feel for the wall and identify potential issues early on.
This helped me get a feel for the wall and identify potential issues early on.
I think when installing BESTÅ, it’s best not to get too caught up in every detail, but make sure the basics are solid.
A tip from my experience: Always use slightly longer screws; this ensures a firmer hold in the masonry. And if you’re unsure, adding metal brackets can provide some extra security.
Better to hang it securely from the start than to worry about it later.
A tip from my experience: Always use slightly longer screws; this ensures a firmer hold in the masonry. And if you’re unsure, adding metal brackets can provide some extra security.
Better to hang it securely from the start than to worry about it later.
Jonfe69 schrieb:
Could you explain in more detail how to tell if the plaster is strong enough, or if it’s better to drill only into the masonry?Plaster is generally not load-bearing; it primarily serves to create a smooth surface. Therefore, when using a wall plug, you should always drill deep enough so that it anchors into the masonry behind the plaster. The hole in the plaster should be slightly larger (for example, 10mm (0.4 inches) for an 8mm (0.3 inches) wall plug) so that the plaster does not bear any load and the weight is supported entirely by the masonry.
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