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The Wall Plug Types That Exist & How to Fit Them

At the Door Handle Store, we offer a wide range of door handles, door hinges, and more to make your home aesthetically pleasing and secure. However, today, we talk to you about one of the unassuming, unsung heroes of the home improvement world - the wall plug (a.k.a rawl plugs).

By reading on, you'll find out about the different wall plug types, how to choose the correct wall plug, what they're for, and how to fit them. So, let's waste no time and great straight into it.

What Are Wall Plugs?

Wall plugs allow you to mount things on walls of different types, whether made from plasterboard, concrete, or brick. The only hard surface they're not suitable for is wood and they provide firm hold for things like mirrors, shelves, and paintings.

In order to find the right wall plug for your needs, you must first understand the wall plugs that exist. So, the first order of business is to look at the wall plug types available.

Finding the Correct Wall Plug For Your Needs

The main consideration you have when choosing the right kind of wall plugs is the type of material your wall is constructed from and the item you're attempting to hang. You want to use wall plugs that will provide solid hold and keep everything in place.

Once you have the correct type of wall plug, your next job is to determine the right size, as well as the correct drill bit. The good news is that this is usually marked on the side of the wall plug.

So, let's examine the wall plug types open to you.

Universal Wall Plugs

The first type is the universal wall plug. Typically constructed from nylon, universal wall plugs expand when you tighten the screw. It's essential to ensure that you're using the right screw size in terms of length and thickness. Often, however, suitable screws are provided in the packet with your new universal plugs.

Ideal for: Mounting light objects onto hollow walls.

Hammer Fixings

Containing a special kind of screw or steel nail, hammer fixings offer an option that's far quicker to install than universal types as mentioned above as it's done with a hammer. Some types (that contain a screw) allow you to tighten the screw after being hammered into place.

Ideal for: Fitting ceiling panels, wall cladding, window frames, and plinths.

Butterfly Wall Plugs

The next of our wall plugs is the butterfly wall plug, which offers a design that makes them suitable for 2-section hollow materials. When this type of wall plug is tightened, the back section - which consists of 4 wings - is drawn forward to the front of the plug, and they're often used when mounting in shallow holes.

Ideal for: Hanging small mirrors, paintings, and other light items.

Anchor Bolts

When you need to support heavier objects, such as racks and large shelves, anchor bolts (or M12 anchor bolts as they're often known) are able to support weights of up to 200 kg. The design involves a hook or nut that you tighten which pulls the conical anchor section inwards. The pressure created expands the metal components to securely grip the surrounding material.

Ideal for: Hanging heavy mirrors, clocks, and shelving on plasterboard.

Plasterboard Plugs

Comprising a thicker section behind or inside a hollow wall, plasterboard plugs are inserted and tightened, making it open out in the same way an umbrella would. These plasterboard fixings offer a secure and robust foundation for screws and bolts that safely distribute up to 10kg in weight.

Ideal for: Light fixtures such as mirrors and picture frames.

Toggle Plugs

Primarily used in hollow walls and ceilings, toggle plugs have a spring-loaded construction that features 'wings' around a screwed thread. Entering the wall slightly deeper than other less robust options, they spread out and secure things into place when you tighten the wall plug with a screwdriver or power drill.

Ideal for: This heavy-duty fixing is often used for hanging cabinets, sliding doors, shelves, and wall-mounted bookcases.

How Going About Fitting Wall Plugs

So, now you've identified the right type and size of wall plugs for your requirements and you're ready to get on with the job of using them. Naturally, before any DIY job you start, it's important to think about safety and the tools you'll need.

As it's just a small job in the grander scheme of DIY, you're only going to need a hammer drill, the appropriate drill bit (Having a smaller drill bit is also useful for creating a pilot hole) for the wall you're dealing with, a hammer, and obviously, your wall plugs.

The Safety Aspect

While it's a minor task, safety still needs to be a concern, and when installing wall plugs, you have to think about avoiding hidden pipes and wires in the walls. Using a multi-detector (available in the UK for between £25-£40) will help you avoid drilling through a cable or pipe and hurting yourself or causing a flood.

Let's look at the steps involved.

Step One - Positioning Your Wall Plug

When you fit wall plugs, you must first decide exactly where they need to be installed for whatever you're fitting. Scan the desired area with your multi-detector to check for pipes/wires and once you know the coast is clear, mark an 'X' at the ideal spot with a pencil.

Step Two - Selecting the Right Size of Wall Plug

Whether drilling into a hollow or solid wall, you need to use a drill bit that matches the size of your wall plug. Thankfully, they're usually colour-coded as yellow (5mm), red (5.5mm) or brown (7mm). The corresponding screw sizes go as follows:

• 5mm wall plugs - screw diameter 3mm (No 4), 3.5mm (No 6)
• 5mm wall plugs - screw diameter 3.5mm, 4.5mm (No 8)
• 7mm wall plugs - screw diameter 5mm (No 10), 6mm (No 12), or 8mm (No 14)

As well as making sure you drill the right hole size, the depth of the drilled hole also needs to be correct. A 5mm wall plug will have a depth of 25mm, a 5.5mm wall plug one of 30mm, and a 7mm plug 35mm.

You need to drill slightly more than the stated depths, and a good way to ensure accuracy is to lay the bit and plug next to each other and mark the length on the bit with some tape to guide you.

Step Three - Drill the Hole and insert the Wall Plug

The last part of the job is to use your power drill on a hammer setting to create the hole at the desired depth. Be sure to angle the drill correctly i.e. square to the wall - or you'll end up with an unaligned hole.

Then, blow out any debris (being sure not to get the dust into your eyes) and insert the wall plug. It should be easy enough to put in with your fingers, although you might need to gently tap it in with a hammer.

And that's it. You're now ready to securely screw whatever you're intending to install onto the wall.

Quality Hardware For Your Home Improvement Needs

As it's clear, fitting wall plugs is a relatively simple job, however, that's only when you know how. Wall plugs are essential for fitting anything securely to the wall, so we couldn't do without them.

We hope you found our blog useful to your home improvement efforts, and if you're looking for a cost-effective range of high-quality door hardware, be sure to check out the Door Handle Store, where you'll find everything from door hinges to cabinet handles.

While you're here, why not take a look at some of our other 'how-to' blogs that give you helpful guidance on a range of other topics? We'll see you again soon with more from the home of top-quality door hardware.