October 10, 2024, 11:28 am | Read time: 6 minutes
Hooks must be attached to the ceiling for hanging decorations such as flower pots. You can find out how this works best and what you need to bear in mind here.
The floor and walls of a room can quickly appear cluttered with too many objects. Nevertheless, the room should not look empty. So why not make use of the ceiling? To prevent the hammock, bookshelf or hanging plants from falling down, the hooks should be properly attached to the ceiling. These three methods will do the trick.
Drilling hooks into the ceiling – what is important?
To find out how to attach the hooks correctly, you first need to clarify the conditions of your ceiling. There are some with beams, others made of plasterboard with an integrated cavity or others made of concrete. Different methods of attaching ceiling hooks are used for all variants.
Drilling ceiling hooks into a concrete ceiling
The great advantage of concrete ceilings is that they can usually bear sufficient weight at any point. However, a standard drilling machine is not usually sufficient for this; instead, an impact drill or even a hammer drill is required for concrete. These heavy-duty drills can be rented from any DIY store. You need the following for the hooks in the concrete ceiling:
- ladder
- eyebolts and suitable dowels
- pin
- impact drill or a hammer drill
- safety goggles
- tarp under your work surface
1. Choose the right hooks
The easiest way to attach hooks to a concrete ceiling is to use a combination of a high-quality anchor and a matching eyebolt. If you are unsure, you can obtain advice on the various systems from a DIY store.
2. Prepare the drilling
As with the other methods, you should mark the points on the ceiling where you want the hooks to sit later. Also, ensure that you are standing securely on the ladder. When working with an impact drill, you often have to apply quite a bit of pressure against the ceiling; it is easier with a hammer drill.
3. Install the hooks in the ceiling
The drilling process itself is the same as for a vertical wall. First, position the drill at the correct angle and drill into the ceiling at the marked points. The only difference is that you drill overhead. So don’t forget your safety goggles here! You should then check whether the holes are large enough for the dowels. If this is the case, insert the plugs and screw in the eyebolts.
Installing ceiling hooks in plasterboard
If it is a plasterboard ceiling with a cavity, the following method is the right one. Always wear safety goggles when screwing overhead, otherwise the dust will trickle into your eyes. It is also helpful if you ask another person to collect the drilling dust with a vacuum cleaner. You need the following to drill into the plasterboard ceiling:
- ladder
- toggle or flip anchor
- pin
- drill
- safety goggles
- tarp under your work surface
1. Choose the right hooks
For plasterboard ceilings with a cavity, you need cavity or tilt anchors to attach hooks. It is important not to use plastic hooks – these are only suitable for vertical walls to which lightweight objects are to be attached.
The size of the cavity dowel depends on the thickness of the wall panel and the weight of the object to be attached. Ask a DIY store for advice on this.
2. Prepare for drilling
First, mark the points on the ceiling where the hooks will sit later. The required size of the drill hole is indicated on the packaging of the cavity plugs. If this is not the case, simply measure the base of the closed plug and use an appropriate drill bit.
3. Installing the hooks in the ceiling
First, drill the holes in the ceiling. Caution: As soon as you reach the cavity, the drill bit will easily slip into the ceiling because there is no resistance due to the cavity.
Now, fold the wings of the dowels together and push them into the drill holes. If the diameter is not yet large enough, simply drill a little more – if necessary with slight circular movements to increase the diameter. Be particularly careful here so that the holes do not become too large.
If the dowels fit through the hole, wait until the wings open in the cavity. Once this has happened, the screw can no longer be pulled down and rests on the ceiling.
Now you just have to tighten the screw so that the wings are screwed down and are really secure.
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Installing ceiling hooks in beams
If there are wooden beams on or in the ceiling, the ceiling hooks can be screwed into the wood. You will need
- ladder
- stud finder
- screw hook
- pin
- drill
- safety goggles
- a drop cloth under your work area
If studs are hidden under the ceiling, you can find them using a device known as a stud finder. Once you have found them, proceed as follows.
1. Choose the right hooks
Which hook is suitable depends on the weight of the object to be hung. If it weighs less than 2.5 kilograms, you can sometimes use self-adhesive hooks and, therefore, do not need to drill any holes. Important: However, these hooks only adhere to smooth surfaces. Furthermore, this is not a particularly safe method, as the hooks can come loose at some point.
Drilling is recommended for objects weighing more than 2.5 kilograms. Depending on the size, you can also vary the type of hook: If the object is very small, round hooks or eyelets are sufficient. Large hooks or carabiners are required for larger objects.
2. Prepare the drilling
It is safest to position the hooks in the beam. As already mentioned, a stud finder will help you to search under the plaster. If the studs are already visible, this step is, of course, not necessary.
Once you have found a suitable stud, mark the points where the hooks are to be attached. Note: It is advisable to distribute the weight of the object evenly over two hooks. With this in mind, find the right position for the holes.
3. Installing the hooks in the ceiling or beams
Once the markings have been made, you can start drilling. Even with visible beams that are not under plaster, you should first drill pilot holes at the marked points. The reason: If you work on wood without pilot holes, gaps and cracks may occur.
The drill bit should have a slightly smaller diameter than the screw. The hole must also be slightly deeper than the threaded shank of the hook. This approach applies to concealed wooden beams and those visible under the ceiling.
Once the holes have been drilled, screw the hooks in clockwise. If it ends up being too difficult by hand, you can use pliers to help. The hooks are fully screwed in when the shaft is completely under the ceiling or in the wood, and only the hook itself is still protruding.