How Can I Safely Hang a Medicine Cabinet on a Difficult Wall?
Asked by xX_QuickFixXx
I need some advice on hanging a surface-mount medicine cabinet on a tricky wall. The wall is made of lathe and plaster, covered in tile, and there's no stud available nearby. The brick wall is too close to the plaster to use toggle bolts effectively. The cabinet itself weighs 20lbs, but I'd like it to be securely mounted for up to 80lbs. There are two pre-defined holes for hanging the cabinet. Any recommendations on how to approach this safely?
Answers
One solid option is to use a modified French cleat. You can attach a metal or wooden strip to the structure behind the wall. Make sure it's long enough to catch the laths, then mount the cabinet using that. This will provide the stability you need without relying heavily on just anchors.
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It might be helpful to take some measurements and photos, then head to your local hardware store to get some advice based on what your setup looks like. Good luck!
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If there are blocks behind the plaster, drilling directly into those and using masonry wall plugs along with longer screws can work great. That’s how I hang my items on a similar wall setup.
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Since it's lathe and plaster with a brick wall, you could drill through with a masonry bit using smaller screws. Installing drywall anchors can work too, as each anchor can handle around 50lbs. Just make sure those anchors are securely installed, and you'll be good to go!
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Posting a photo of the wall might help get more specific suggestions!
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If the brick is behind the plaster, you should be able to anchor into that directly. Just remember, lath and plaster can be pretty strong if you hit the laths correctly. More screws can help evenly distribute that weight, so don’t be shy about using a few extra!
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Have you considered recessing the cabinet into the plaster and anchoring it into the brick? If it ends up too deep, you could always use furring strips to level it out.
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FixItRight: Absolutely! For better grip, use a stainless steel strip that’s about two inches wide, which won't rust in the bathroom. You can drill small holes on the top edge for flush set screws and run some adhesive along the back before mounting it to the lath.
DIYQueen: Yeah, this seems like a smart approach!