What Screws to Use With Metal Studs for Hanging Pictures?

Nails won't work when hanging pictures on a metal stud. You will need a fine steel-plated self-drilling screw 2 to 3 inches long. A normal Phillips drywall screw head or pan head screw works best. A box costs around five dollars. This method is appropriate for most framed art in the home. Wall anchors are not needed. For best results and earthquake resistance, use a combination screw and a hooked picture hanger. Large or heavy frames will require a heavy-duty hanging method.

Use a stud finder to locate the center of the stud. Choose the spot on the wall and make a small pencil mark. Allow for the wire when measuring. Use a freshly charged electric drill. If the picture is to be hung high, use a ladder and a spotter for safety. Do not attempt this while standing on a chair.

Load the Phillips head drill bit into your electric drill or screwdriver gun. Tighten the chuck. Wear your safety glasses. Aim the tip of the bit into the head of the drywall screw. Put the tip of the screw on the pencil mark. Squeeze the trigger slowly.

Drill in the screw squeezing the trigger lightly. Put your weight into it. There will be a pop as the screw head passes through the metal stud. Stop when the screw head pokes out from the wall an 1/8 of an inch for a picture to hang.

Make sure the artwork is firmly secured in the frame before hanging. Make sure the picture is ready to hang with a tight and secured wire, d-rings, or a sawtooth hanger. The picture should grip the wire. Level it out and take a step back to admire.