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When you hang a heavy mirror, you need to get it right the first time. Hanging a heavy mirror isn’t all that difficult, and it barely takes longer than hanging lightweight mirrors or pictures. You just need a few simple tools and inexpensive hanging materials. Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to hang a heavy mirror.
2 Ways to Hang Heavy Mirrors
Hang a heavy mirror either by a wire on the back of the mirror or with a solid metal cleat screwed to the wall studs.
- Screws and hanging wire: Two screws 16 inches apart are screwed to adjacent wall studs. A strong metal wire on the back of the mirror is draped over the two screws. If the mirror does not have a hanging wire, one can be installed as a separate process. Purchase only braided stainless steel wire intended for hanging mirrors and pictures.
- Metal cleats: A metal cleat, or strip, is installed on the back of the mirror. Another cleat is installed on the wall. The mirror’s cleat is hung over the top of the wall’s cleat in an interlocking fashion.
| Weight of Mirror With Wood Frame | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (H/W) | Weight |
| 24 inches by 36 inches | 14 pounds |
| 24 inches by 48 inches | 19 pounds |
| 30 inches by 40 inches | 20 pounds |
| 24 inches by 60 inches | 24 pounds |
| 30 inches by 48 inches | 24 pounds |
| 36 inches by 48 inches | 30 pounds |
| 60 inches by 48 inches | 48 pounds |
| 72 inches by 48 inches | 60 pounds |
Safety Considerations
Do not use drywall screws as supporting fasteners since they are brittle and may snap. Mirrors and pictures are sometimes hung directly from drywall but this is an inferior method that may result in the fastener pulling out of the wall.
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Hang Mirror With Screws and Wire
- Cordless drill
- Drill bit set and drivers
- Stud finder
- Laser level or bubble level
- Tape measure
Hang Mirror With Cleats
- Cordless drill
- Drill bit set and drivers
- Stud finder
- Laser level or bubble level
- Tape measure
Materials
Hang Mirror With Screws and Wire
- Mirror
- Stainless steel hanging wire
- Screws
Hang Mirror With Cleats
- Mirror
- Metal hanging cleats
- Screws
Instructions
How to Hang a Heavy Mirror With Screws and Wire
-
Identify Positions of the Studs
Locate the positions of two adjacent studs near the intended installation area with the stud finder. Mark the positions with the pencil. In most cases, studs should be located every 16 inches, on-center (from center to center). Some walls may have studs located every 24 inches, on-center.
-
Mark the Vertical Location
Mark the vertical location of the hang point on one of the studs. Use a pencil. Note that this will be the position of the screw, not the top edge of the mirror. The top edge of the mirror will be 2 inches to 4 inches higher than the hang point.
-
Determine the Level
Cast a laser level line across the mark. Use the laser line to determine the position on the adjacent stud.
-
Drive the Fastener Screws
Drive two fastener screws on the adjacent studs with the cordless drill. The heads of the screws should protrude about 1/4-inch.
-
Hang the Mirror
Drape the mirror’s stainless steel hanging wire over the tops of the two fastening screws. Slowly let go and the mirror hang. Adjust the level by sliding one side of the mirror either up or down.
How to Hang a Heavy Mirror With Cleats
Metal cleats are a stronger alternative to the wire-and-screws method of hanging heavy mirrors. Installation must be precise since you do need to make sure that the wall cleat is exactly level as it cannot be adjusted.
-
Determine the Level
Use the stud finder to strike a level line where you want the cleat to run. Be precise about this, since cleats do not allow for re-adjustment in the way that the wire-and-screws method does.
-
Screw the Cleat to the Wall
If you have an 18-inch or longer cleat, it can span from one stud to an adjacent stud. If the cleat is shorter than 16 inches, screw the center hole to a stud and screw the two end holes into drywall anchors.
-
Screw the Cleat to the Back of the Mirror
Screw the other cleat into the top of the frame on the back side. Be sure to keep the cleat parallel to the top of the frame. For mirror frames with irregular edges, maintain parallel with the top edge of the mirror glass. Determine parallel by measuring down with a tape measure in two places.
-
Attach the Mirror to the Wall
Attach the mirror by sliding the mirror cleat over the wall cleat. The mirror should rest firmly in place.
When to Call a Professional
For antique mirrors, overly heavy mirrors, masonry walls, or if you simply do not feel comfortable hanging a heavy mirror, call a repair or fix-it service. This basic project should take less than an hour for most mirrors and wall systems and about a half-hour extra for masonry walls.
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How do you hang a 50 pound mirror on drywall?
The best way to hang a 50-pound mirror on drywall, without the aid of wall studs, is to use toggle bolts. Toggle bolts’ spring-loaded wings pull against the back of the drywall for a secure connection.
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What is the best way to hang a very heavy mirror?
The best way to hang a very heavy mirror is to drive screws directly through the mirror’s frame, into wall studs. An alternative is to use a metal cleat system, where a cleat on the frame and a cleat on the wall interlock to hold the mirror.
-
How do you support a heavy mirror on the wall?
Support a heavy mirror on the wall either by hanging the mirror’s back wire (if available) over two screws driven into two adjacent studs or by using a metal cleat system.
-
What is the best hook for hanging a heavy mirror?
The best hook for hanging a heavy mirror is a pair of metal cleats. One cleat is screwed to the back of the mirror, on the frame. A similar cleat is screwed to the wall, directly into two adjacent wall studs. A cleat system is the best hook for hanging a heavy mirror.
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