5 Tips For Finding The Right Wall Fixing For Your DIY Project

So, you’ve got a new shelf, mirror, or curtain pole to hang, but now you’re staring at the wall wondering, “What wall fixing do I even use for this?” Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Choosing the right wall fixing can be confusing, especially if you’re just starting out with DIY. The good news is it’s easier than you think.

Here are 5 simple tips to help you find the perfect wall fixing for your project, no matter what you’re hanging, or what kind of wall material you’re dealing with.

1. Figure Out What Your Wall Is Made Of

The first step is understanding what kind of wall you’re working with. Different walls need different fixings, so this part is key. Here are a few ways to tell:

• Tap the wall. Give it a gentle knock.
  • A hollow sound? It’s most likely a plasterboard cavity wall.
  • A solid, dull thud? You’re probably dealing with brick, concrete, or a solid wood wall.
  • Hollow sound but some spots sound solid? You might have a “dot and dab” wall, where plasterboard is attached over blockwork with dots of adhesive, leaving a gap between them. This is pretty common in modern UK homes.
• Use a pin or nail. Push it into the wall in an inconspicuous spot.
  • If it goes in easily, it’s most likely a hollow plasterboard wall.
  • If it stops quickly, it’s likely solid brick or concrete.
• Drill a pilot hole. Drill a small hole in an inconspicuous place on the wall to see if there’s any insulation or masonry behind the plasterboard.

Still unsure? Look for clues like any existing screw holes or wall plugs, and think about when your house was built. Many modern homes have hollow plasterboard walls, while old houses are more likely to have solid ones made of stone or brick.

If it’s a hollow plasterboard wall, it’s a good idea to find if there are any timber studs behind it, as they can provide a strong anchor point, especially if you’re mounting something heavy like a TV.

A stud finder will come in handy here, and if you don’t want to buy one, see if you can borrow one from a mate or a local tool library. Then just move it along the wall until it indicates a timber stud’s location. Stud finders are also good for finding where the electrical wires and pipes run inside your wall as you don’t want to be drilling into those! Generally, drilling directly above or parallel to wall sockets isn’t a good idea, as wires are likely to run in those directions.

2. Match the Fixing to the Wall Type

Now that you know your wall material, it’s time to pick the right fixing. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Hollow walls (plasterboard): Use heavy duty plasterboard fixings or toggle fixings for heavier items. The key is to find a fixing that spreads the load behind the plasterboard as much as possible – Corefix Spike or Strap do just that for example. For lighter objects, small self-drilling plasterboard fixings like Corefix Twist or universal wall plugs will work (make sure they’re labelled as suitable for plasterboard though!).
• Solid walls (brick, concrete, or stone): Use plastic wall plugs (with screws) or heavy-duty masonry anchors for heavier loads.
• Stud walls (timber studs behind plasterboard): If you can find the wooden studs, go straight into them with a wood screw. No fixing needed! A simple magnetic stud finder can help you locate them.

• Dot & dab walls (plasterboard attached over blockwork with a gap between them): These walls can be tricky. For lightweight items you’ll be fine with simple plasterboard fixings, as long as they have enough room behind the plasterboard to screw in. For heavy items, you’re better off securing the load to the blockwork as it’s far stronger than the plasterboard in front of it. Specialist dot & dab fixings like Corefix Connect are designed for just that, as they have a long plug which reaches through to anchor the load in the blockwork, and a steel core which bridges the gap so the plasterboard won’t have to hold weight or risk crushing when you tighten the screw. Watch how they work HERE.

3. Think About the Weight of the Item

One of the mistakes folks new to DIY make is underestimating how much weight their wall fixing can handle. As a general rule of thumb:

• For lightweight items (picture frames, small shelves, coat hooks), most basic wall plugs or self-drilling plasterboard fixings will do.
• With medium-weight items (larger shelves, curtain poles, mirrors), go for universal wall plugs for brick, block or concrete, or toggle fixings for plasterboard.
• For heavy items (TV brackets, kitchen cabinets), you’ll need serious support like heavy duty wall plugs for solid walls. Ideally you’d want the load to be held by blockwork or timber studs rather than having to rely on the plasterboard material. If you have no option but to fix to the plasterboard, then go with heavy duty plasterboard fixings designed to spread the load as much as possible. These usually have wings that open behind the plasterboard – the wider the better!

Always check the packaging of your wall fixings for weight limits to be sure they’ll hold up. Pay attention to if the packaging specifies a Safe Working Load for the fixing, as this is a calculated weight that the fixing – you guessed it – is able to hold safely. Manufacturers sometimes print the fixing’s maximum or failure load on the packaging, but this doesn’t mean it’s going to hold that much weight safely! We’ve explained this a bit more in this video.

4. Use What You Have:

If you’re working with a simple toolkit with just a screwdriver and maybe a drill, don’t worry. Many fixings don’t need any special tools to install and you can still tackle most DIY projects.

• For hollow walls: Self-drilling plasterboard fixings are your best friend here. You can screw them directly into the wall without needing a drill, and usually even a basic handheld screwdriver will do the job.
• For solid walls like concrete: Use plastic wall plugs and screws. You’ll need a drill to make a hole first, but even a basic cordless drill will do the trick.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have a drill and need to mount something light on a solid wall, have a look at adhesive solutions like command strips or strong mounting tape. These are perfect for lightweight items like picture frames.

5. Test the Fixing Before You Hang Your Item

Once you’ve chosen and installed your wall fixing, give it a test before hanging the actual item. Gently pull or push on the fixing to check that it feels secure. If it moves or feels loose, it might not be the right fixing, you might have drilled a hole that’s too large, or the wall might need repairing. Especially with plasterboard, any movement at all will over time crumble the material around it until the fixing comes loose.

For added safety, always double-check the weight capacity and ensure you’re not exceeding it. Better to take an extra few minutes now than deal with a fallen shelf later!

Bonus Tip: Keep It Simple and Ask for Help

If you’re still not sure which fixing to use, don’t hesitate to ask for advice! Hardware & DIY shops have expert staff who can guide you. You can also find plenty of easy-to-follow guides (like this one!) online.

So hanging artwork, installing shelves, or mounting a TV doesn’t have to be complicated. Happy DIYing!

Frequently Asked Questions