What is the best way to hang art work, etc., on a plaster wall?

Question

We have purchased an older home with plaster walls. We have had to repair many cracks. We would like to hang some art work, wall clocks and framed photos but are worried about further cracking of the plaster. What would be the best thing to use and how do we do it? We have a few heavy things that were on previous sheet rock walls.

Answer 1

A lot of plaster wall houses have a strip of wood across the top that you use special hooks and thin lines to hang artwork from - a lot of times the strips have been removed over the years.

Personally, I just pre-drill a hole using a bit the same size or smaller than the nail I want to hang the picture from.

If you are hanging something heavy, you need to use dry wall anchors or another kind of fastener that will slide in and expand inside the wall.

Answer 2

I have plaster walls, and I hang lots of stuff without causing cracks.

Light things I hang with nails.  I put a piece of tape over the place I want the nail to go, and hammer it in until secure.

Heavier items I just use the proper wall anchor, for the weight.  Haven't had a crack yet.

Answer 3

the above answer mentions the "picture moulding" as it was called. it can still be purchased in lumber yards and a carpenter who knows his stuff can install if for you.  and you can use fish line or fine piano wire to hang with also there are bar arrangements that can be installed on it.

plaster was not intended for nails and hangers to be driven into it the picture mold is the best way to go,