ᐅ Which anchors and screws are recommended for securely mounting Ikea BESTA units to the wall?

For additional detailed analysis: The choice of anchors for mounting Ikea Besta depends heavily on the structural requirements and the wall type.

I recommend the following procedure:
- Inspect the masonry using appropriate diagnostic tools (drill samples or digital detectors).
- For solid brick walls, metal expansion anchors or nylon expansion anchors with a diameter of at least 8 mm (0.3 inches) are suitable.
- Screws should be made of stainless steel to prevent corrosion over many years.
- When installing on hollow walls or drywall, a special cavity anchor or toggle bolt is recommended; for aerated concrete, use an anchor that prevents the porous material from breaking apart.

Additionally, I advise purchasing screws and anchors certified for the expected load (at least 40 kg (88 lbs) load per fastening point). If necessary, plan multiple fastening points to better distribute the weight.

Fitigu schrieb:
In general, I recommend using suitable universal wall plugs with a diameter of 8 mm (0.3 inches) for mounting Ikea BESTA shelves, as they provide good load-bearing capacity.

Domau0 schrieb:
For aerated concrete, on the other hand, special cavity or aerated concrete anchors are suitable, as they are designed for softer materials.

You have already pointed me in the right direction! My wall is indeed aerated concrete, which I might have overlooked.

For better understanding: What types or brands of anchors (no advertising, of course) do you refer to as “aerated concrete anchors”? Are these only those with a special shape for a large holding angle, or are general-purpose wall plugs also suitable?

Also, are there any recommended screw dimensions I should prioritize here? I think I don’t want to use screws that are too large in order not to weaken the aerated concrete, but also not too small so they don’t hold.

Aerated concrete anchors must be specially designed to expand within the porous material, providing a secure hold.

- Common types include anchors with an elongated expansion zone or butterfly shape (toggle anchors), which avoid crushing the material.
- Standard general-purpose anchors are not suitable for aerated concrete, as they typically do not provide a proper grip.
- Screws should be at least M6 in diameter and between 60 and 70 mm (2.4 and 2.8 inches) long to ensure sufficient holding power.

Recommendation: Choose a type of high-performance aerated concrete anchor with a larger expansion range and carefully measure the required fastening length.

For aerated concrete, I recommend using special aerated concrete anchors rather than standard anchors. M6 screws, with a length of 60-70mm (2.4-2.8 inches), are optimal.

Lipra schrieb:
Which types or brands of anchors (of course, no advertising here) do you refer to as "aerated concrete anchors"?

Hey, a quick explanation: aerated concrete anchors are often longer and have a special design that allows them to expand within the porous material without damaging it. Think of small "hooks" or flaps that open up to provide grip. This sets them apart from regular universal anchors, which are intended more for solid walls. 😊

The same applies to screws: better to use ones that are slightly longer but not too thick, so as not to overload the anchor or the wall.

Lipra schrieb:
For better understanding: Which types or brands of anchors (of course, no advertising here) do you refer to as “aerated concrete anchors”?

Aerated concrete anchors are usually hollow wall anchors with a wide expansion area and special anchoring mechanisms designed to protect the lightweight material.

- They have a load-bearing surface that distributes forces over a larger area.
- General-purpose anchors only grip at a point and can tear out the material in aerated concrete.

For BESTA shelves, screws should be at least M6 with a length between 60 and 80 mm (2.4 and 3.1 inches). The diameter determines the connection’s strength, while the length ensures proper anchoring in both the anchor and the wall material.

It is also important to check the wall thickness before drilling and adjust the drill and screw length accordingly, so that the anchor is fully embedded in the wall material and does not break through.