How to hang a very heavy mirror with minimal damage?

Question

Hi all,

I’m looking for some advice on how to hang a vintage mirror I recently bought. I’m renting, and I’m okay with putting holes in the wall as long as I can patch and paint over them when I move out (likely in about a year). That said, I’d prefer to avoid too much repair work later.

The mirror is quite heavy and doesn’t have any hooks on the back. It’s 92cm in diameter, and while I don’t know the exact weight, it feels substantial enough that I’m nervous about it falling and breaking.

I saw in a previous post that someone had used these stud-free hooks to hang a heavy mirror (https://www.bunnings.com.au/zenith-40kg-zinc-plated-surehook-stud-free-picture-hanger_p3930271). Is this the best move in this situation?

What should I be buying to put hooks on the back of the mirror?

Thanks in advance,
Meg

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @megmegd,

They are designed to be easy to remove. You'd just need to reverse the screw and then the wallmate out of the hole.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

megmegd · Answer

Thanks Eric - super helpful!

Regarding the Ramset anchors, are they easy to remove? I can't do anything permanent as I'm renting but I'm okay to patch up holes after my lease is up.

EricL · Answer

Hello @megmegd,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about hanging your mirror.

Please note that working with glass is dangerous. An incorrect hit with a tool, or when too much force is applied, could shatter it and cause injury. Please make sure to wear personal protection such as gloves and goggles when working with glass.

I suggest measuring how thick the timber backing of the mirror is. Once you have its thickness, I recommend matching it against the length of the screws of the Everhang 15kg Zinc Plated Heavy-Duty Picture Hanging D-Ring. If the screws are shorter than the thickness of the timber backing, you can use them. But if they are longer you'll need to get smaller screws. The last thing you want to do is to pierce the surface of the glass and shattering it.

If the screws are usable, make sure to attach all four picture hooks in line and evenly spaced on the back of the mirror without reaching the edge of the mirror. I recommend using a set of the Everhang 20kg Heavy-Duty Solid Wall Picture Hanging Hook - 12 Pack in combination with the Ramset Super Wallmate Toggle Anchor - 10 Pack (can be used on plaster board and timber studs). The Ramset pack comes with its own screws so there is no need to purchase more.

Triple check the picture and wall hook alignment and once you are prepared you can hang the mirror. I strongly suggest getting a second pair of hands to hang the mirror in place.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric