ᐅ Which screws and wall anchors are recommended for assembling PAX wardrobes?

Hello everyone, I am currently planning the assembly of my new Pax wardrobe from IKEA and am unsure which screws and wall plugs would be best for mounting it to the wall. My wall is a typical brick wall with plaster, and I want to make sure the fixings are stable and durable since the wardrobe will hold quite a bit of weight. IKEA does provide mounting hardware with Pax, but I have read that it’s better to use more specialized wall plugs and screws, especially if the wall is old or somewhat porous.

I am looking for recommendations on types of screws and wall plugs (e.g. heavy-duty anchors, metal vs. plastic wall plugs) as well as the appropriate sizes – based on your experience, what would you advise for mounting Pax to a brick wall? Are there any particular issues I should watch out for to avoid damage to the masonry or loose walls later on? I look forward to your input, thanks in advance!

Tilda schrieb:
I am currently planning the assembly of my new PAX wardrobe from IKEA and am unsure which screws and wall anchors are best for mounting it to the wall.

Hello Tilda, first of all, that’s a very good and important question! Especially with heavy furniture like PAX wardrobes, the right fasteners are essential to ensure nothing wobbles or, worse, gets damaged.

For a brick wall with plaster, I definitely recommend heavy-duty metal anchors if the wall is not too porous. These anchors have a much higher load capacity than simple plastic anchors. For older or slightly weaker walls, you might also consider chemical anchors (injection anchors), as they create a bonded connection within the masonry that transfers loads securely and provides an especially strong hold.

Screws should be appropriately robust, usually in the range of 6 to 8 mm diameter and long enough to anchor deeply into the anchor (e.g., 60-80 mm (2.4–3.1 inches) in length). Zinc-plated or tin-plated screws are corrosion-resistant and therefore preferable.

One more tip: before drilling, measure the exact position and check for electrical cables inside the wall with an electronic detector—this can help you avoid unpleasant surprises.

In summary:
- Metal heavy-duty anchors (e.g., expansion anchors)
- Screws 6–8 mm diameter, approx. 60–80 mm (2.4–3.1 inches) long
- Possibly chemical injection anchors for very porous walls
- Zinc-plated screws to prevent rust

If you like, I can also recommend some products depending on the anchors you can find at your hardware store.

Tilda schrieb:
My wall is a classic brick wall with plaster, and I want to make sure the mounting is secure and durable since the cabinet will carry a considerable amount of weight.

Considering the wall structure is the crucial first step in choosing the right mounting hardware. For a brick wall with plaster, I generally recommend using

- metal expansion anchors or
- high-quality nylon plastic anchors, which have also proven reliable in slightly porous masonry.

If the wall consists of solid bricks, an anchor with a strong expansion mechanism is ideal. The anchor length should be at least 60 mm (2.4 inches), and for heavy loads, 80 mm (3.1 inches) is better.

The screw diameter depends on the anchor size: for an 8 mm (0.3 inches) anchor, a 6 mm (0.24 inches) diameter screw is often used. This ratio is based on the permissible load capacity.

Important: Avoid cheap, low-quality plastic anchors, as they can loosen over time and fail to secure the cabinet properly.

Also, when in doubt, it’s better to drill a bit deeper and use longer anchors to distribute the load as broadly as possible into the masonry.

However, if your wall is made of hollow bricks or has a cavity, special hollow wall anchors or toggle bolts are the better choice.

Your wall description suggests it is solid masonry, so metal expansion anchors combined with 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 inches) screws are recommended.

If you have any issues with tools or materials, I’m happy to offer additional practical advice.

Ethan schrieb:
For older or somewhat loose walls, you can also consider using chemical anchors (injection anchors), as they create a type of bond within the masonry to transfer loads and provide especially strong support.

This is an important point I would like to add: Especially with older brick walls or when there are doubts about the load-bearing capacity, using chemical anchors is very effective. These work differently than classic expansion anchors.

You inject a special resin into the pre-drilled hole, which, after curing, forms a very strong bond with the masonry. This anchors the screw without mechanically expanding the masonry.

The process is somewhat more complex and costly, but significantly safer for heavy loads – such as the PAX wardrobe.

Another tip: Use the original screws that match the anchor and are designed for the resin.

If you decide to drill and use standard anchors, always choose an anchor with a slightly larger diameter than the screw to ensure a secure hold. 6 mm or 8 mm anchors are common for PAX and brick walls.

In summary:
- For normal brick walls: metal expansion anchors with matching screws
- For porous/old walls: chemical anchors (injection anchors) with matching screws
- Screw length at least 60 mm (2.4 inches), preferably 80 mm (3.1 inches)

If you have any further questions, I’m happy to help, especially with product selection.