How Do You Attach Metal Wall Art To The Wall?

Metal wall art is a great investment that can add aesthetic value to any home. While hanging metal art may seem simple, it's usually heavier than a regular painting or canvas, so there's more to it than meets the eye. You need the right fittings for the type of wall, the right measurements, the right tools, and most importantly, you need to install it securely without damaging the wall.

Metal wall art can be hung on almost any type of wall, as long as you have the right supplies to match the weight of your art. The most common way to hang metal art is to use a drill to install screws and bolts. You can also hang metal wall art using heavy-duty command hooks or strips for a nail-free option.

We know this sounds like a tricky task, so we created this step-by-step guide for beginners to help you hang your metal art the right way.

Metal wall art is heavier than your typical painting or framed canvas, so you'll need more than your standard hooks and hammer. Sometimes, you may need different tools to hang a specific type of metal art; however, your metal art supplier should be able to provide you with detailed instructions if needed.

Step 1: Choose a frame that can handle enough weight

Before you begin, you will need to weigh your metal art piece as you will need to choose a sturdy frame to hold the art piece on.

You should always assume that the frame can support at least 25% of the approximate weight of the metal artwork, so use more if necessary. Some metal artworks already come with their own hangers attached.

Step 2: Find the studs

Studs are vertical metal or wood beams that support the frame of your home. Studs are located behind drywall or stucco walls, usually spaced forty or sixty centimeters apart.

Because studs are so strong, they are an ideal place to hang heavy artwork. If you use a drill to attach and hang metal art directly to drywall or stucco, it may not be able to support the weight, potentially causing damage to the wall.

Step 3: Measure where you want to hang your metal wall art

Before drilling holes in the wall, you'll need to do some calculations to make sure you hang the pieces at the desired height. The exact height to hang your art depends on its size and your vision of the room's décor.

Step 4: Start attaching screws to drywall and plaster

Drywall is usually quite thick (1cm to 1.5cm), so you need screws that are long enough to penetrate the drywall deeply and securely and directly into the stud. The recommended screw length is approximately 2.5 to 4.5 cm.

When hanging metal wall art on stucco walls, it is not recommended to drive nails directly into the surface as this may cause it to crack and break.