6. Hanging pictures using studs and anchors
Tools & Materials: Hammer, Nails, Phillip’s Head Screwdriver, Anchors, Anchor Fit Screws
Pictures can be a hassle to hang when you can’t find the stud and even more difficult when the stud isn’t where you want it and won’t allow you to center your picture. There are also many concerns about hanging a heavy picture with a simple nail. When you live in a household with children this can be a precarious situation. It is recommended that one either hangs their pictures from a stud or a drywall anchor.
The first step finding the stud is purchasing a stud finder. These can run from ten to fifteen dollars at your local hardware store and are easy to use and self explanatory. Once you’ve found your stud, the next step is getting the right measurement for your picture placement. Your best bet in centering a single picture is measuring the length of the wall and dividing it in half. When hanging two pictures just divide the length of the room by three and use that measurement from each end of the room. The most common height to hang your picture is two thirds of the wall height measurement starting from the bottom. If you want to align the height of your picture to a window or other reference point in the room remember to subtract the length from the top of the picture to the top of its hanging mechanism from the reference point you are trying to match. Once you have found your stud hanging point, simply drive a medium sized nail through the drywall and into the stud. Make sure to test the strength of the nail with your hands to make sure the nail hit the stud. Now you are ready to hang your picture
If you do run into the problem of not being able to find the stud, go to the hardware store and buy a pack of drywall anchors. These are usually about the circumference of a household screwdriver and allow themselves to expand behind the drywall for a more durable hang. The first step in installation is finding your measurement. Studs are not important, so anywhere in the drywall will do. Once you have found your measurement point take a Phillips head screwdriver and gently tap it through the drywall with a hammer. Once your whole is made you can insert your anchor. If the anchor resists, you can work it in with a few taps from the hammer. Once in place, simply screw in whatever screws were provided to you in the anchor package into the anchor itself. Now you have a strong and reliable hanging apparatus.
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