Is It Better to Use a Nail or Screw to Hang Pictures & Things on the Wall? | Hunker (2024)

FAQs

Is It Better to Use a Nail or Screw to Hang Pictures & Things on the Wall? | Hunker? ›

Generally screws provide more holding power than nails, so they're better for hanging large, heavy pictures.

Screws provide stronger holding power and work well for decking projects.

Heavier frames may require a rawl plug and screw but for most frames a nail on its own should suffice, for the demonstration we have used a single hanging hook and nail. If you do have a heavy frame, we do suggest a rawl plug and screw to guarentee a safe and sturdy fixing.

If you're planning a drywall installation on a ceiling, drywall screws are the wise choice. Drywall screws offer the needed protection that will help keep the drywall in place. Don't get us wrong; drywall nails are tough, but not when gravity is working against them.

Generally screws provide more holding power than nails, so they're better for hanging large, heavy pictures. When hanging a picture between studs, use a hollow-wall anchor, such as a toggle bolt, molly bolt, or spiral anchor.

Screws are preferred for woodworking and decking.

For small and mid-sized projects, such as woodworking and decking, screws are often the better choice. They are easier to control when inserting and can be adjusted or extracted to make small repairs.

What is the 2/3 rule for hanging pictures? If you're hanging more than one picture on a wall, aim for the 2/3 rule. Your collection of artwork should be 2/3 the size of the object you're hanging it near (whether that's a couch, credenza, or another type of cabinet).

For pictures that weigh between 5 and 20 pounds, a good option is plastic drywall anchors and for pictures between 20 and 50 pounds, you can use a metal wall anchor or make sure to use a wall stud. For anything heavier, or a good all around solution for hanging multiple pictures, use a rail cable hanging kit.

We recommend using a special sticky tape applied to the wall, which sticks to the back of the frame or picture. It's quick, easy, and, unlike nails, won't cause permanent damage to the wall. Tape is especially handy for homeowners who like to move things around and redecorate every now and then.

Type of project and tools required: Nails are often used for large scale projects, such as house framing and hardwood floors. This is because they are typically stronger and more affordable than screws. Another reason is, most nails have smooth heads and shafts, they can easily be installed with a hammer or nail gun.

Can I hang a picture with just a nail in drywall? ›

Traditional nails and wall hooks are suitable for lightweight frames and decor. They are easy to install and provide the best support for items weighing 30 lbs. to 100 lbs. Our Brass Hooks and Nickel Hooks are perfect for easy and no-fuss picture hanging installations on drywall.

Use a ruler to guide your placement. Aim for 3–6 inches between each piece of wall art and around all sides of the frames. Arrange larger art with more space between frames, and group smaller artwork closer together. Also, leave plenty of space between the frames, trim, and molding, so the gallery has room to breathe.

In the 1950s, Illinois fire-protection engineer Paul Quigg and a team of co-workers at the U.S. Gypsum Corp. perfected the drywall screw.

A screw is better than nails as it holds the things better than a nail. This is due to the presence of threading in screws that grips the surrounding material tightly. Also screws are easier to control than nails and can be removed easily.

Flat mounted hooks and anchors may be able to hold up to 50 pounds, while drywall screws can hold about 20 pounds of weight. To support up to 100 pounds on drywall, make sure to find the wall studs, then mount the object using metal anchors and screws. Screws should penetrate wood studs at least 1.5 inches.

Screws are, in fact, able to create a more secure hold when joining objects than nails because they have a threaded shaft. With that said, nails offer greater tensile strength. Screws are more brittle than nails.

Explain which one uses less force and why. It needs to more force to hammer down the nail to reach a certain depth while the twists in the screw help it reach the same depth as with the nail but with lesser force.

That depends on the type of nail, and whether it's driven into a stud. A 16-penny nail, driven 2–1/2 inches into a stud will hold a couple of hundred pounds. A 4d finish nail driven only into the drywall will hold only a pound or so.