I recently had insulation installed on all my exterior walls, with about 10cm of material. Now, I'm looking to install some shelves in different spots, and I want to make sure they're sturdy enough for heavier items like pots and pans. What's the best way to ensure they're secure? Should I use screws that reach the masonry behind the insulation, or will good fixings into the batons for the plasterboard work just as well? Any advice would be appreciated!
2 Answers
First off, if you're mounting anything heavy, it's best to attach it to the studs in your wall, if they exist. This will give you the most support. If you've got insulation, just make sure the batons are properly installed and can handle the weight. For heavier items, long screws that reach the masonry would be ideal, but if you're using strong fixings in the batons, that could work too. Just check how securely everything is mounted!
It sounds like your insulation might have been installed over brick and then covered with batons for the plasterboard. In this case, if those batons are not the thick kind you find in standard stud walls, you might need to use longer screws to reach the masonry, especially with heavy shelves. Just remember to distribute the weight evenly when loading those pots and pans!
Yeah, I've done similar projects and using decent wall anchors in the batons can also help, but be cautious with how heavy the shelves will get.
I agree with going for masonry screws if you can. They’ll give you the best hold. Just make sure to locate where those batons are!