How to fix string lights to Hebel?

[keyli8]

Hi! Looking for some advice about drilling into Hebel walls. I am looking to put up some string lights in the courtyard of my townhouse and trying to think of the best way to fix them to the wall. Is it best to drill into the hebel and screw in some hooks or use some sort of adhesive? 

[JacobZ]

Hi @keyli8,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

I'd suggest you have a look at the Fixing to Hebel Guide, which shows a number of different fixings that are suitable for use in different types of Hebel.

While it is not exactly what is shown in this guide, as string lights are fairly lightweight, I'd say it is safe to install a Ramset 8 x 40mm Nylon RamPlug Anchor, then screw in some Everhang 26 x 6.2mm Zinc Plated Round Screw Hooks. These screw hooks, at 6.2mm in diameter, are around the same diameter as a 14g screw, which is what is mentioned in the Fixing to Hebel Guide.

You'll need to use an 8mm masonry bit to predrill holes for the Ramplugs.

Let me know what you think, and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[keyli8]

Hi @JacobZ,

Thank you for the advice! I used the Ramplugs and Hooks as suggested and it worked well in the hebel.

[DIYImpressions]

Hi @JacobZ 

I am doing the same activity but using Festoon Lights to run 10 meters apart. I have attached the layout. The weight of each 10 meter lights would be about 1.6kg.

Please advise what ramplugs and screw to use to mount Eye Strap on Hebel. On the wall side, that particular eye strap would be carrying a load of 6kg altogether. If required, i can split the load between two eyestraps. 

[JacobZ]

Hi @DIYImpressions,

As per the Fixing to Hebel Guide, you can use two Bremick 14g x 50mm Type 17 Hex Head Screws without predrilling or adding a Ramplug to fix your eye strap in place. According to the Fixing to Hebel Guide, this will give you a load capacity of 20kg, which should be more than enough.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[DIYImpressions]

Thanks @JacobZ 

Can I possibly use 12Gx50mm ? not sure if the eye straps I have can take 12G with a head seal. If it's an absolute must, can you please suggest eye straps as well?

In addition to that, I forgot to mention that I have added 3 additional guided wires on both sides to carry fairy lights and attach lightweight flower strings. The total weight on each wire would be about 0.5 kg. For that, can you please suggest hooks/screws.

DIY

[JacobZ]

Hi @DIYImpressions,

The weight of the string lights is not significant enough that I would be concerned with you using a smaller screw. Considering one 14G screw is capable of holding 10kg, which is more than the weight of your festoon lights, you shouldn't have issues using two slightly smaller screws.

For the additional wires, you could use the same 12G screws with eye straps, or use the method I mentioned above with ramplugs and screw hooks.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob