What Are the Best Plasterboard Fixings?

Plasterboard stud walls are an excellent way to create new rooms and spaces in a property. To make the most of these new spaces, however, clients often wish to have stuff hung on the new walls, which provides a unique challenge.

Because plasterboard doesn’t have the same strength as, say, a brick or wood surface, specialist plasterboard fixings are required to ensure the screws don’t tear through the new wall under pressure. However, there are many types of plasterboard fixing to choose from, and understanding which to use can save a lot of trouble.

How to Choose the Right Plasterboard Fixing

There are many different plasterboard fixings to choose from, and we sell all the most popular styles, including:

• Self-Drilling Fixings: A simple screw and plug that secures itself into the plasterboard when fitted.
• Cavity Wall Anchors: An anchor that is expanded once it's been inserted into the plasterboard to provide a secure hold.
• Spring Toggle Fixings: A screw with a toggle on the end, which opens up when in the cavity and clings to the back wall.
• Snap Toggle Anchors: Similar to a spring toggle, except a flange tightens the toggle to the back of the wall before the rest of the product is snapped off.

*Note that the load capacity and maximum depth provided here are rough averages for these styles, and the exact specifications can vary depending on the fixing manufacturer and plasterboard used. Be sure to read the specifications of individual products for accurate details.

There are a lot of different factors to consider when deciding on the best plasterboard fixing. When you also consider that there are lighter and heavier versions of individual fixing types, you start to see that there are so many options. Certain contractors will have their go-tos, but there are plenty of options to suit any task.

Here are some of the main things to think about when deciding on what fixing to use:

Load Capacity

First and foremost, you need a fixing that’s going to be strong enough to support whatever you want to put on the stud wall. Choose one that doesn’t have enough strength, and the fixing will simply rip out of the plasterboard.

Most plasterboard fixings will come with a maximum load capacity figure in their specifications (if you have any questions on this when buying from us, just speak to our team). Consider the maximum weight of what you want fixed (both the fixture and anything put onto it) and make sure it’s below the maximum load capacity of your fixing.

It’s important to note that a fixing’s max load capacity doesn’t stack. So, if you need to hang something that weighs 20Kg, you can’t use two 10Kg fixings; you’ll need to use only fixings that can each take 20Kg.

Also note that the overall strength of a fixing can come down to the thickness of your plasterboard, so make sure to consider this when choosing your fixing.

Plasterboard Thickness

The thickness of the plasterboard will also play a part in what fixing you choose. Not only does the thickness impact the maximum load capacity of a fixing, but it can also limit what fixings are effective in your wall.

Because of how some plasterboard fixings work, some require a minimum and maximum depth. As an example, a cavity wall anchor is useful in thinner plasterboard, but if you have a thick wall, it may not have room to expand and you may need to consider other options.

Temporary or Permanent Fixing 

A final consideration to make is whether you want the fixing to be temporary or permanent. Fixtures like cupboards or shelves may suit permanent fixings, while other things, such as mirrors or frames, might tend towards a temporary solution.

Obviously, a self-drilling screw can be unscrewed and the hole refilled if you need to make a change. On the other hand, something like a snap toggle fixing can’t be moved after it’s in place – the only option is to lose it into the cavity and fit a new one elsewhere.

What’s the Strongest Plasterboard Fixing for Heavy Objects?

Often, people look for the strongest plasterboard fixing, which isn’t always required. Something like a self-drilling plasterboard screw is really simple to install and ideal for light-to-medium loads, such as hanging items.

That being said, if you are looking for the fixing with the best load-bearing capacity, you’ll probably end up with a snap toggle.

Snap toggle anchors are very similar to spring toggles, except that they are fitted and fixed so they remain tight to the hole and back wall. This is part of the reason why they tend to have extra load-bearing capacity, which makes them a go-to choice for heavy-duty applications.

Which Plasterboard Fixing is Best?

There’s no single ‘best’ plasterboard fixing - each type is engineered for specific weights, board thicknesses and installation requirements. Choosing the right one depends on your load, the cavity depth, and whether the fixture needs to be permanent or removable.

If you’re not sure which is best for your job, consider this basic rundown:

• Self-Drilling Fixings: Great for light applications, providing a quick and easy installation.
• Cavity Wall Anchors: Versatile fixings that are good for a range of middle-weight fixtures.
• Spring Toggle Fixing: Very strong fixings useful on a wide selection of hollow walls for supporting heavy loads.
• Snap Toggle Anchor: A great choice for permanent, heavy-duty plasterboard fixings.

If you’re shopping with us and have any questions about which plasterboard fixing is best for you, feel free to contact our team – we’re on hand to make sure you have all the information you need to make the right choice.