When hanging objects on your walls, it is important to be aware of what sort of nail or screw is required to support the weight. For most smaller objects, like pictures and hanging ornaments, just a normal nail is fine. Hollow wall anchors, also known as drywall anchors, are meant to carry heavier pictures, some lightweight shelves, and other similar objects. Once you go over twenty pounds, a hollow wall anchor is required to bear the weight. This prevents the drywall from flaking apart and causing the nail to fall from the wall. Drywall is by its very nature weak, so we must rely on the hollow wall anchors to, well, anchor themselves to the wall so that anything hung on the attached screw won’t fall down and cause damage.
