A hollow-wall anchor is a special fixing for thin, hollow walls such as plasterboard, chipboard or a hollow door. Behind the board the rear part of the anchor folds, flips or spreads open, so that the fixing locks against the back of the board rather than into the board itself. This way the anchor holds even where an ordinary plastic plug would pull loose.
Types
- Metal toggle anchor (spring toggle) — a spring-loaded wing anchor that flips open behind the board; suitable for heavier loads
- Metal hollow-wall anchor (with setting tool) — deformed by a setting tool into a clamp behind the board; stays in place even when you remove the screw
- Plastic expanding or umbrella plug — for lighter loads in plasterboard
Application and tips
Use a hollow-wall anchor for hanging cabinets, mirrors or a TV bracket on a plasterboard wall. Note the board thickness the anchor is suitable for and the maximum load the manufacturer states — that is on the packaging. Drill the hole to the correct size; with too large a hole the anchor will not grip. For genuinely heavy items, fixing into the frame behind (the metal stud or stud) is always stronger than into the hollow board.
Related terms
- Hollow wall
- Plasterboard
- Plasterboard plug
- Expansion bolt
- Metal stud
- Locks and fittings
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