There are many different types of picture hooks. The type of picture hook you want depends on a number of different factors. First and foremost, you need to know what type of wall you have. There are four main types of walls that people come across on a regular basis. Drywall (also known by its more common brand Sheet Rock), plaster, concrete (or cement), and brick. There are two different categories of hooks. They are available for use on drywall and plaster or for use on concrete and brick. Picture hooks are also designed to hold certain weights that are designated on their packaging. The most common picture hooks used on drywall and plaster are steel with regular common nails, brass hooks with smaller black hardened steel nails, self-adhesive hook and loop (Velcro) picture hooks, push hooks and hooks. anchored, among others.
- Common steel hooks with common nails should be mounted to studs or wood lathes behind the wall. Therefore, you limit the potential places where you can place your frame. The wood posts are only every 16 “on the center of them. Although this is the most economical option, a post finder is needed to find where the posts are behind the wall.
- Brass hooks with smaller black hardened steel nails, often referred to as ook hooks, can be mounted anywhere on your wall surface where you want to attach them. The reason for this is that the hook has more surface area that grips the wall and therefore uses more wall for greater strength. Also, on heavier pound-rated hooks, the weight is distributed across more than one nail, sometimes of a thicker gauge.
- Self-adhesive hook and loop (Velcro) hangers are definitely the easiest to use, but they can only hold a maximum of 10 pounds. Bathrooms and high-traffic areas are probably not the most ideal place for these hooks either because of the humidity in the bathroom and the possibility of being hit in high-traffic areas.
- The push hooks are also quite easy to use and can support as much weight as the nail in the picture hooks. These look almost like a section of lightning. The reason it works is that one side of the hook rests on the wall while the other is pressed into the back of the wall in this interior with the same pressure. The only downside I see with these hooks is that they often stick out of the wall more than regular hooks.
- There are two types of picture hanging systems that you can use anchors with. There are the ones that are just a hook that you can put a screw on and then there are also the ones that have a wide mounting plate that has a built-in level so you can get a perfect level for your frame. The single is usually only for lighter images. The ones that allow multiple anchor points are very secure and the steepest way to mount your frame on the wall. It is also the safest method. It is versatile enough to use on any wall surface. The only downside is the amount of work it takes to assemble it.
The most common hooks for concrete and brick use are nail hooks with a pad on the nail for hammering, brass-plated nails with hooks, and small hooks. All of these hooks have hardened nails that are specifically used for concrete surfaces.
- The steel nail in the hooks with the cushion is very useful because there is less impact on the wrist when driving the nail.
- The brass-plated hooks are more decorative and also distribute the weight via a couple of nails on the heavier versions.
- Smaller dowel hooks also distribute weight over multiple nails, but this is for lightweight frames only
When installing the frames on the concrete walls, it is okay to put the hook anywhere you want. When installing the hooks in a brick wall, be sure to install the hooks in the mortar between the bricks, otherwise you may split the brick.