Is it better to hang a projector screen from the ceiling from the drywall or the studs?

Question

The drywall is about 20 years old, the projector screen weighs 22lbs. I'm worried the drywall will be too old to support the weight. The screen will hang by two D hooks, one on either end, hung onto hooks I plan to s***w into the ceiling. Not sure if I should s***w them into the drywall or the studs. Any suggestions?

Not worried about how it looks, just that it's secure.

Answer 1

22lbs is not that much. do not hang it form the drywall unless you have drywall anchors. you can pick them up for like 10 cent a peice.

Answer 2

If you can locate the studs, it's always more secure to anchor it into the studs.

Answer 3

If you can get at least one s***w into a stud, that should make it secure enough to hang a 22-pound projector.

If one or both screws have to go into drywall only, you should still be fine so long as you use a self-tapping s***w such as E-Z Twist and Lock, which can handle more than three times the weight of the projector, assuming the drywall isn't broken. Here's a link that explains how it works:

http://www.itwbuildex.com/ezprod.htm

These screws are cheap and easy to find.

Hope this answers your question,

Jay Somerset

http://blog.homerenovationguide.com/

Answer 4

Have it anchored into either a ceiling joist or a stud.  I only did that for 30 years as a career.

Answer 5

Even brand-new drywall will not support 22lbs... especially if you are going to be opening and closing the screen. Find a stud in your wall to s***w it to. There are usually studs in interior walls every 18-24".. I think. You can buy a studfinder at any hardware store.. around $25 usually.. or you can do without the finder and use the old-fashioned way. To find a stud behind the drywall tap it with your fist, knuckle, hammer.. where there is no stud it will sound hallow.. when you are over a stud it'll sound solid. You will probably miss the stud the first time.. so have some spackle on hand.. try, try again. If you just try to secure it to drywall alone (no stud) it can rip a big hole in your drywall *when* it falls... because it will eventually.

Answer 6

studs, do NOT hang it from dry wall and i don't know about the ceiling but i wouldn't do that eathier