I'm looking for advice on what screws or anchors to use for mounting heavy fixtures on metal studs that are behind drywall. I've tried drilling into the studs and have a few options like toggle bolts and butterfly anchors. However, I found that none of them fit properly in the metal stud holes, even though I used the correct drill size. I'm working on installing the IKEA Kungsfors, which needs to hold at least 50 lbs per level. Some people have suggested using lag bolts, but I've read that they don't provide enough holding power in metal studs. I've also heard about self-tapping screws, but I'm having trouble figuring out the best approach. Any guidance to help me finish this project would be greatly appreciated!
1 Answer
Metal studs can be tricky when it comes to hanging heavy items. From my experience, self-tapping screws are generally your best bet here. Just be careful not to over-tighten them! If you want a bit more strength, you might consider using riv-nuts, as drywall anchors aren't really suited for thin metal studs. They tend to be undersized for the weight you're looking to support.
So just to clarify, should I be using self-tapping screws to attach the IKEA rail directly into both the drywall and the metal stud?