An Expert's Guide to the Best Plasterboard Fixings

Using the best plasterboard fixings is essential to ensure a secure and sturdy support for shelves, mirrors or anything else you need to fix. However, the types of fixings for load-bearing items can vary substantially. While plasterboard fixings serve the same essential goal, you may need to use different fixings for different kinds of items.

Choosing the right fixings makes it easier and safer to install the following heavy items onto plasterboard:

• Heavy mirrors
• Radiators
• Shelves
• Curtain poles
• Towel rails
• Screen and TV brackets

We’ve listed the best plasterboard fixings for each specific job, so you never have to worry about finding the right solutions again. If you are in the trade, then you know it can be difficult to get some of these fixings, especially if you need them in a hurry. That’s why we provide dedicated account managers for our customers.

What Are the Best Fixings for Plasterboard Walls?

Mechanically fixed plasterboard is usually more supportive than plasterboard that is applied by adhesive. A dot and dab wall will require sturdier fixings. In either case, a box of 60 mm zinc-plated drywall screws will be easy to use with most standard plasterboard.

What Are the Best Fixings for Ceilings?

Gravity is more of a factor if the fixing is perpendicular to the ground. When you are putting fixings in ceilings you can find a lot of benefits for a variety of jobs from a box of 6mm x 50mm metal nail-in anchors, which provide excellent support for suspending ceiling brackets, insulation brackets, drywall track and brick ties.

What Are the Best Heavy Duty Plasterboard Fixings?

For general heavy-duty items such as drop-down screens and projectors, you need to mitigate the stress of the weight. A trusty box of wall plastic plugs, available in red, yellow and brown, will help to spread the load across the screws when installing heavy-duty brackets and stands in both walls and ceilings.

What Are the Best Fixings for Tiled Plasterboard Walls?

For tiled walls, you need to keep the chances of cracking to a minimum while drilling, so smaller fixings are useful. A box of 50mm x 5mm Nylon Anchor Hammerfix Screws are quite slim and will provide a corrosion-resistant fixing for tiled plasterboard walls in areas where humidity and moisture are present, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

What Are the Best Fixings for Insulated Plasterboard?

The typical range of standard plasterboard we sell is usually not as thick as insulated plasterboard, so long fixings are the most helpful for a variety of purposes. In this case, a box of 4.2 x 100 mm zinc-plated drywall screws will give you an extra deep recess, which makes for a reliable fixing when working with many kinds of thicker plasterboard.

What Are the Best Plasterboard Fixings for Shelves?

The best plasterboard fixings for shelves will be those that help you to keep the shelf as close as possible to the wall, as there is usually an additional bracket used for the shelf itself. A box of 50mm x 5mm Nylon Anchor Hammerfix Screws will have enough support for most normal shelf load capacities.

What Are the Best Plasterboard Fixings for Radiators?

The corrosion resistance of a box of 50mm x 5mm Nylon Anchor Hammerfix Screws makes them suitable for small radiators in bathrooms, kitchens and other areas - and can provide good support even if the radiator leaks as the fixings will prevent rust from forming. Larger radiators require larger fixings.

What Are the Best Plasterboard Fixings for Heavy Mirrors?

Mirrors are often used in the bathroom, so make sure that you take care with any tiled plasterboard walls, as drilling into them can result in cracks. You can cover the area you are drilling with masking tape so you do not crack the titles. After this, the bigger-sized 120mm x 6mm Nylon Anchor Hammerfix Screws will make for good support when installing heavy mirrors.

What Are the Best Plasterboard Fixings for Curtain Poles?

Curtain rails may need to carry a lot of weight, particularly if you are positioning them high up or they are covering a large area. As a result, having a box of 6mm x 50mm metal nail-in anchors is an easy way to ensure that you have the right support to hold the weight and also handle the strain of movement when drawing them. 

What Are the Best Plasterboard Fixings for TV Brackets?

For TV brackets you might need a lot of support to safely hold the device, but you must remember that many TV brackets will be moved and tilted too. As a result, sturdy balance is key. A box of wall plastic plugs will provide support and absorb the pressure from bumps that occur during movement.