Great for building walls, drywall isn't so great as a base for attaching items. Drywall is made of powdery gypsum and paper, and it covers wide expanses inexpensively. It's great for soundproofing, but these positives also make drywall a weak base for installing wall shelves, pictures, towel bars, or light cabinets.
If it's not possible to drive the fasteners for the item you wish to hang into the wood wall studs—which is always the best option—they must go into the drywall. Since fasteners driven directly into drywall easily tear out, special drywall anchors will do the job quickly and efficiently.
3 Types of Drywall Anchors
Drywall Sleeve Anchor
A drywall sleeve anchor is a plastic sleeve or insert that fits into a small, previously drilled hole in the drywall. When the provided drywall metal screw is turned into the sleeve, the sleeve expands. This helps the metal screw to stay in the wall, with greater shear strength.
Drywall sleeve anchors typically are the least expensive type of drywall anchor. They're best for very lightweight items, such as pictures and light mirrors that range from 5 to 20 pounds.
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Drywall Threaded Corkscrew Anchor
A drywall corkscrew anchor is a large plastic or metal threaded screw-shaped insert designed to be self-drilled (no pilot hole) into the drywall. A provided metal screw is then tapped into the anchor, and it's this second screw that holds the item to the wall.
Corkscrew anchors operate much like sleeve anchors, though they are far more robust because the anchor's sleeve digs deeply into the hole it creates.
Corkscrew-style drywall anchors are more expensive than sleeve anchors. They're helpful for attaching heavier items such as shelves. light cabinets, and towel bars.
Drywall Wing Style Anchor
With a drywall wing-style anchor, the object is held firmly in place by wings that press against the back of the drywall while a flange on the front presses in the opposite direction.
A toggle bolt is one example of a wing-style anchor. A spring-loaded pair of wings is pushed through a pre-drilled hole. Next, the wings are drawn into the back of the drywall by turning a bolt.
Wing-style anchors tend to be the strongest type of anchor, ideal for shelves, heavy mirrors or pictures, or for TV mounts.
Safety Considerations
Heavy items such as pedestal sinks, large furniture, and kitchen wall cabinets should not be installed on the wall with drywall anchors. Instead, attach heavy items firmly to wall studs.
Watch Now: How to Install 3 Types of Anchor Screws
How to Install a Drywall Sleeve Anchor
When installing drywall anchors, you'll need the plastic sleeve anchors with provided screws, a flathead or a Phillips screwdriver, drill, driver bits, a set of drill bits, and a hammer.
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Select Drill Bit
Select the correct size of drill bit by consulting the instructions on the drywall anchor package. If you do not have the instructions, estimate the bit size by comparing bits to the shaft of the sleeves. When in doubt, use a smaller bit than the one that seems appropriate.
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Drill Hole in Drywall
Fit the drill bit in the drill. Drill a hole in the drywall.
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Tap Sleeve In
Push the sleeve into the hole by hand. If the sleeve is tight, gently tap it with the hammer.
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Drill Screw Into Sleeve
Drill the screw into the plastic sleeve with a drill or with a manual screwdriver.
How to Install a Drywall Threaded Corkscrew Anchor
You'll need a hammer, small nail, and screwdriver to install a threaded drywall anchor.
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Pierce Hole
For nylon (plastic) anchors, create a small start hole by tapping a nail into the drywall's paper. Metal anchors do not need a start hole as they are strong enough to create one on their own.
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Twist Anchor Until Flush
Place a Phillips or flat head screwdriver in the notched head of the anchor. Turn clockwise, applying firm (but not hard) pressure, to draw the anchor into the drywall.
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Finish Anchor
Turn the anchor until it is flush with the drywall paper. Do not twist too hard or you risk stripping the head of the anchor.
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Add Screw
Add the provided screw to the drywall anchor.
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How to Install a Drywall Wing Style Anchor
You'll need a drill, drill bits, and a screwdriver to attach a wing style anchor on drywall.
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Drill Hole
Consult the product's instructions for the diameter of the drill bit to use to drill the hole.
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Attach Bolt to Item
If the bolt is attached to the wings, detach it. Slide the bolt through the hole in the item you want to attach to the wall.
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Put Wings on Bolt
Thread the wings onto the bolt. Make sure that the open part of the wings is facing toward the head of the bolt.
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Insert Wings and Bolt in Hole
Compress the wings. Slide into the hole.
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Pull Wings Ahead
With one hand, pull the bolt and its attached item forward. You should feel the wings touch the back of the wall. Maintain this pressure as you turn the bolt clockwise.
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Fasten Bolt and Item to Wall
Continue turning clockwise until the item is securely fastened to the wall. Do not overtighten.
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How to Remove Drywall Anchors
Drywall Sleeve Anchor
You'll need a drill, a flathead screwdriver, and needle-nose pliers to remove a sleeve-style drywall anchor.
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Remove Screw
With the manual screwdriver or cordless drill, remove the screw from the plastic sleeve.
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Pry up Side of Sleeve
The anchor's plastic sleeve has a flange that rests flat against the face of the drywall. Use the flathead screwdriver to pry up the edge of the flange.
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Remove With Pliers
Grab the edge of the flange with the needle-nose pliers. Pull the anchor sleeve straight out.
Drywall Threaded Corkscrew Anchor
Remove the item and screw from the anchor. Place a screwdriver end onto the notched head of the anchor. Turn counter-clockwise until the anchor is free.
Drywall Wing Style Anchor
With a screwdriver, turn out the bolt counter-clockwise. The wings will drop into the wall. Remove the item from the bolt.
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When should you not use drywall anchors?
Weight restrictions are your primary reason for not using drywall anchors. If you're mounting heavy items, locate the wood studs and mount your item using them. Studs are spaced every 16 to 24 inches. Drywall anchor packaging will list limitations and often require a certain wall thickness to be effective. Most drywall is a 1/2-inch inch thick. Never use a drywall anchor on ceilings unless it's made for that purpose.
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Can you install drywall anchors without a drill?
You don't need a power drill to install anchors. You can create a pilot or guide hole by using a nail or screw and a few hammer taps. Once you get the hole started and start twisting the screw into the anchor, like an expansion anchor, it splits the anchor's body to hold it in the drywall.
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Why are my drywall anchors pulling out?
An anchor can fail for several reasons, including the item you're hanging is too heavy, the hole for the anchor is too big, the screws going into the anchor are not the right size, and the drywall (or plaster) is old, damaged, and not stable enough. You might need to replace it with a screw-in anchor, a molly bolt, toggle bolt, or another hollow-wall fastener.