ᐅ How do you secure IKEA Platsa units on rough surfaces?

Hello everyone, I recently purchased the IKEA Platsa system and now want to mount it on a rather rough surface, specifically a wall with exposed concrete and an uneven texture. The standard IKEA mounting set with plastic anchors and screws doesn’t seem ideal here, as the surface is very hard and uneven. My question is: What methods or special materials can you recommend to securely and stably attach the Platsa units to such rough, partly porous concrete substrates? Are there tried-and-tested approaches that are also compatible with the design and structural requirements of the modules? I would greatly appreciate any tips regarding the type of fixing, suitable anchors, possible wall pretreatment, or additional aids. Thanks in advance!

Hello mujosiah, I completely understand your concern, as many rough walls made of exposed concrete or similar materials present specific challenges. As a general guideline for a wall with an irregular, hard surface, I recommend the following steps:

- First, measure and mark the fixing points precisely to ensure the load is evenly distributed.
- For exposed concrete, I suggest using special heavy-duty anchors or chemical anchors, since regular plastic anchors either won’t hold or may break when hammered in.
- Pre-drilling with an appropriate drill bit (ideally a hammer drill with a carbide tip) is essential, with a diameter at least matching the anchor.
- Chemical anchors (injection mortar) are especially reliable on porous or uneven spots because the material flows into and hardens within the surface irregularities.
- If the surface is very uneven, a mounting plate or thin OSB panel installed with special fastening hardware can create a smooth contact area. This can be secured first with heavy-duty anchors.
- When attaching to a mounting plate, make sure the mounting holes on the back plate are intact and that the screws are not too long to avoid creating stress behind the material.

I would also like to know: Is the wall perfectly vertical or does it have slight inclinations? How long do you expect the modules to remain fixed (duration of mounting)? Can you estimate the load capacity, i.e., will heavy cabinet units be hanging there? These details significantly influence the type of fastening.

If you wish, I can also provide examples of specific anchors and drill bit types.

Johnathon schrieb:
Basically, I recommend the following steps for a wall with an irregular, hard surface:

I completely agree, especially with the advice about chemical anchors—I can highly recommend them based on my own experience. A while ago, I faced a similar issue with rough exposed concrete, and traditional bolt sets barely held securely for a week.

However, as Johnathon mentioned, it is also important how the load is distributed: I installed an aluminum profile that consolidated several anchoring points. This way, even with minimal unevenness, the load was well absorbed.

At first, I was also concerned that the wall might crumble before drilling, but with the right drill bit (and patient, careful technique) everything went smoothly.

If you feel uncertain, take your time during preparation—it always pays off. And if you have little experience, having someone with practical drilling skills on hand can be helpful.

Keep at it and feel free to share how it goes!

I would simply recommend PA screws with metal anchors. Important: drill the holes using an SDS masonry drill bit. If you want to be absolutely sure, use chemical anchors. Do not use regular nylon plugs, as they hardly hold anything in rough concrete.