How To Hang Pictures on Plaster Walls

Do you live in a house constructed in the 1940s or 1950s? One of the most significant housing booms unfolded during this time, as the demand for residential housing soared because of the end of World War II and the beginning of one of the longest eras of prosperity in American history. Construction companies built many of the homes in this era with plaster walls to keep up with demand. Plaster took much less time to construct walls compared to a material like concrete.

Plaster is not the best material for hanging pictures and photographs, as it tends to crack when put under pressure. If you live in a home built in the World War II era, how do you hang pictures on plaster walls?

What is a Plaster Wall?

Before drywall became the popular choice for constructing walls, plaster represented the best option for establishing the structural backbone of residential housing. Plaster walls consist of strips of lath or wood that layer on each other. After forming the layers, manufacturers nail the layers to wall studs before adding a coat of paint for a visually appealing appearance.

A plaster wall typically possesses a rough, uneven surface that conveys a rustic ambiance. The thickness and ability to contour plaster make it popular for builders to create curves and arches around walls and ceilings. The worst attribute of plaster is that it requires more labor to install, and it tends to degrade faster than other homebuilding materials over time.

Working with Studs to Hang Pictures on Plaster Walls

The key to hanging pictures and photographs on plaster walls involves working with studs to receive the strongest holding power. Locating a stud on a plaster wall can be difficult because of the inconsistent patterns that develop with plaster when used to cover large areas. The most cost-effective way to find a wall stud is to use a magnetic stud finder designed exclusively for plaster walls.

Working with studs means you have to arrange your pictures and photographs according to the locations of the studs, which reduces or eliminates creativity from the interior design equation. 

Hanging Pictures on Plaster Walls Without Using Studs

If you decide to hang pictures without using studs, you can install wall anchors to stabilize for holding heavier objects. The best wall anchors for plaster walls are Molly or Toggle bolts, which deliver a secure foundation because they expand on the other side of a plaster wall. You must use long enough wall anchors to penetrate through plaster and lath/wood.

Molly and Toggle bolts come with instructions on installing the wall anchors.

Adhesive Strips

You can forgo using a drill to create holes by placing highly adhesive strips on the walls. Adhesive strips support objects weighing up to six pounds, which makes them ideal for hanging smaller photographs.

Brass Hooks

Brass hooks are a popular solution for hanging pictures and photographs on plaster walls because their needle-size nails push through plaster, minimizing the damage to a wall. Constructed with a hardened material, brass hooks come in different sizes to secure pictures and photographs weighing as much as 100 pounds.

Gallery System

Also referred to as a picture rail system, a gallery system represents an effective way to avoid drilling or hammering holes into highly-vulnerable plaster walls. A gallery system for hanging pictures and photographs works best for older homes with picture rails already installed.

Contact Walker Display for more tips on how to hang pictures and photographs on plaster walls.