Style By Sutherlands Blog

How to Determine Which Hardware to Use

Published on

Whether you are hanging a picture, doing a decorative project or a repair job, they can require a variety of different hardware to use. So which is the right hardware? You may find yourself in Sutherlands looking at all the hardware we have to offer and feeling yourself becoming overwhelmed. Once you learn a few general rules of thumb, it's easy! Don't worry! Here we are going to explain which hardware to choose for different jobs and how to use them.

Wall Anchors – Before putting a wall anchor into your home's walls, think about what you are hanging. If it is a simple 8”x10” frame and weighing only a few ounces, a simple nail into the wall at an angle will do the job! If the object you are wanting to hang weighs more, this is where wall anchors come in handy. Since studs are never in the exact spot you want to hang an item, this is where wall anchors come in. You will want to keep in mind the weight of the object since many fasteners have weight ratings. Once you have your fastener, you will use a wall anchor to use to hold it in place. You will tap the wall anchor into a pilot hole and once the screw is driven through it, the anchor will expand and grip the drywall. Making this the perfect hardware to use for a heavier item you'd like to hang.

Wall Driller and Toggle Bolts – A wall driller has the similar use as a wall anchor, except that it is driven into the wall using a driving bit instead of a pilot hole like the wall anchor. You can drive a screw through it like the classic wall hanger or a hanger can even be placed through the head of the fastener. The wall driller will serve the same purpose as the wall anchor when there is not a stud available. The toggle bolt is the third most common wall fastener. It is very similar to the classic wall anchor. It is inserted into a pilot hole but has a spring inside so that once inserted and the fastener reaches the hallow space behind the wall, the fastener opens up and is intact.

Nail and Brads – Nails and brads are another commonly used hardware. They are both used for basic construction but are slightly different. Brads and specifically finish nails are best when adhesives are being used. For example, attaching trim or molding and for furniture assembly, all of which use adhesives as well as nails. With the smaller head, they can be hammered in below the surface and covered with wood filler. If the construction is outside, you will want to use stainless or galvanized brads or nails. Brad nails come in a variety of sizes. The way to tell what sizes the brad nails are is by reading the numbers. For example, one that is labeled #18 x 1 ¼ means that they #18 is the thickness or the gauge. The lower the number the thicker the brad. Then the 1 ¼ is the length of the brad in inches. With nails, however, the higher the number, the thicker the nail.

With so many hardware options, knowing more about each should help to make the right decision when choosing the ones you need! A helpful pro at Sutherlands is always on hand to help with any hardware questions you may have!

Your Local Home Improvement Center

Family Owned

Shop Sutherlands

Be the First to Know!

Sign up to receive the latest posts.

Let's Get Social!

Follow us to receive the latest posts.

Feedback