drywall
I am converting hallway storage into a wardrobe. The dimensions are
h 234cm
W 132cm
D 45cm
I would like to put up two rails for clothing and some shelving for loose items
My question is how would I fit the rails into plasterboard style walls so they can support the weight of potentially many clothes.
Are there certain fixtures or fittings I can buy? Is there anything I should consider before I start?
There are several kinds of drywall anchors and they each have their own weight rating. Some work by drilling a small hole and tapping in a plastic sleeve and others work by drilling a bigger hole and screwing a plastic sleeve and there are others where you drill a hole and the metal butterfly expands behind the drywall know as molly bolts (thanks comments!). Recently I saw anchors where you drill a 1 inch hole in the drywall and this big contraption grips the inside of the drywall (wish I could remember the name). Anyway, each of the big drywall anchors could hold over 50 pounds!
The positive response got me to go dig for those contraptions. Turns out they are made by Moen and they're called SecureMount. I have the Moen SMA3000 and they really are just a bigger version of toggle bolts (spring loaded metal wings that fold and have a long machine screw).
I also found this useful link that has pictures and describes all the types mentioned (except the SecureMount of course . . . those are new and very much a niche product).
These anchors are designed for drywall, and even then may not be useful for hanging curtain rods.
If you're using an anchor where the drywall/plaster is weakened, the drywall/plaster will fail and the anchor will fall out. If you're using an anchor too close to the edge of a sheet/seam/cutout, the drywall/plaster will fail and the anchor will fall out.
All drywall anchors and plugs are meant to be used in the middle of an undamaged sheet of drywall. They are also not very good at handling varying loads, such as those caused by opening/closing curtains (not to mention little Johnny tugging at the drapes, and Felix the cat climbing the curtains).
If it's a wood frame wall, aim for the studs or the header. Use appropriately sized screws, directly into framing members.
If it's a masonry wall, epoxy appropriate plugs into the masonry behind the plaster.
Best Answer
Find your studs (a studfinder can be useful, else you can drill test holes). Mark your studs. Once you find one they should be about 16" or 24" apart from center to center (this is the typical US measure, internationally YMMV).
Mount your clothes rails by drilling your mounting screws into the studs. (make sure your screws are long enough to penetrate your clothes rail, the plaster and into the studs)
From Evil Greebo: "If the studs are too near the front/back of the closet, you can mount a cross brace on the wall of the closet. Firmly connect it to the studs, then attach your closet rails to the cross brace."