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How to mount heavy shelf on plasterboard wall?

Hi All,

Just after some advice for helping a friend.

She would like to put this old brick mould on the wall (I think the plan is to sit some small pot plants or trinkets in it). I wasn't quite sure how best to go about mounting it - will be going on to a plasterboard wall, where there is at least one stud that can be used (potentially 2 but wouldn't be equidistant where she wants to mount it. It is of reasonable weight but not super heavy (I'd guess 4 or 5 kilos in total?).

What would people suggest is the best way to go about mounting it. At least with the solid build of it we have something we can screw into for hooks/mounting equipment on the mould itself, but wasn't sure what is the best way to go about putting it up.

Ideally, she would prefer not to have screws showing (i.e. doesn't want to screw through the front of the unit to the wall behind if we can avoid it), but if that is the best approach then happy to look at that too.

Thanks in advance for some ideas - just was struggling a bit to work out how to approach it.

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Noyade

25mm square tube.

Bevel both ends.

Pre-drill mount holes in the exposed ends.

'Notch' the top ends to catch two exposed screw heads which will be mounted at the back of the box.

Paint.

When positioned the box will remain parallel to the wall.

Just a thought. Cheers.

JacobZ

Hi @mcs_095,

I'd suggest using this https://www.bunnings.com.au/hangman-45kg-picture-mirror-picture-hanger_p0390342 , which is essentially a french cleat system, where there is a piece attached to the back of the brick mould and a piece attached to the wall.

You would simply install the wall track nice and level, screwing into the available studs, and using the walldogs where no stud is available, then install the other track to the back of the brick mould. The brick mould can then be lifted into place by sitting the track on the back of the brick mould over the wall track.

As this would make the bottom of the brick mould lean forward slightly, you could pack out the back of the mould so it sits plumb using a piece of timber, or a couple of window packers.

This would mean there are no visible fixings through the front of the mould, while still holding it securely to the wall.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

mcs_095

Thanks both Jacob and also to Noyade for some great ideas! I will go with Jacob's great suggestion (I hadn't even thought of that type of hanger for this) just for simplicity, but I really like your solution too Noyade, very neat solution :)

@JacobZ - for solving the issue of the mould leaning forward a bit, could I put a second rail about 2/3rds of the way down the brick mould (I might need to redrill the holes in the metal part that attaches to the back of the mould, so to align with the partitions in the mould on the other side - but that's not a massive issue at all, can easily do that.

JacobZ

Hi @mcs_095,

Yes, that would work perfectly fine, you would just have to make sure that you are accurate in locating the rails so that they both are making contact at the same time. This wouldn't be particularly difficult, as long as you take your time and mark things out accurately.

I'd also aim to utilise both studs if possible. It will just help with the load bearing capacity. While those anchors will be fine, it will be sturdier if you can use the studs.

I'm keen to see how you go. Let me know if you have any other questions along the way.

Jacob

mcs_095

Thanks Jacob, that's great :) Yeh I was planning on trying to use both of the studs if possible - even if the mounts needs to be a little off centre on the back of the mould to accommodate (i..e my friend is very particular with where things go on the wall ha in terms of being centred haha - the aesethics are very important to her ha ha!).

Will take a pic once its up on the wall - appreciate the assistance, it was just one of those things where I was struggling conceptually to think through how best to approach it, so having some good brains put to help makes it much easier!

mcs_095

Veyr happy with how it went up in the end. I bought two of the slightly lower kg rated French cleats and put them in each of the top corners - we found the tiny lean towards the bottom was so insignificant that we didn't end up packing it at all at the bottom as it wasn't worth the effort. Found those kits really easy to work with, very good quality little product that solved the problem without any issue at all!

Friend is very happy with how it comes up, and I got it as level as you could get something that is by nature not square anyway! Thanks for the help :)

EricL

Hello @mcs_095

Thank you very much for the update. The shelf looks great!

Eric

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