Hanging Mosaics

Mosaics made of stone, ceramic, glass and concrete are heavy.

A mosaic realized according to the reverse method weigh around 11 lb / square foot or 53 kg / m2.
Those realized according to the direct method are 40 % lighter at about 7 lb / square foot or 34 kg / m2

Reverse Method	Direct Method
11 lb / sq ft	7 lb/sq ft
53 kg / m2	34 kg / m2

American walls are usually built of 3/8" or 1/2" sheetrock, a light and flimsy material, not designed to support heavy loads.

 

A mosaic such as Veiled Black and White measures  35 x 28 " (88 x 61 cm) and weighs 65 lb (31 kg)

You cannot hang such a mosaic from a drywall with a wire on a hook or nail.

I have given some thoughts on this matter and am now (2014) building my mosaics to make your life easier...

The frames of my mosaics now incorporate an horizontal ½ V-shaped wooden bracket running the whole length of the mosaic.

I am also providing a wooden rail also ½ V-shaped, and with holes in it. It is slightly shorter than the bracket of the mosaic.

This rail is to be installed on the wall with Plastic Toggle Drywall anchors or equivalent anchors.

I recommend you use expandable Toggle anchors rather than the Self drilling ones.  

The anchors above are rated at 143 lb, 2 of them will hold a load of 286 lb.

You will also need: 

• screws longer by 3/4" than the ones provided with the anchors, 
• flat washers for these screws.

The tools you'll need are : 

• Pencil
• Level
• Electric drill
• Drill bits
• Hammer
• Hand screwdriver

Center the rail where you want the mosaic to be and mark the holes on the wall with a pen or a nail.  Make sure the rail is horizontal. Use a level.

Drill the holes (5/16" in our case) to install the anchors. 

 

 

If you happened to hit a stud, use a regular screw to secure the rail into the stud (through the dry wall), without using an anchor for that hole.

Insert the Anchors in the holes. Try to insert them so their legs will expand vertically up and down versus left and right. 

Following the instructions, expand the anchors behind the sheetrock

Anchor expanding on back of the sheetrock

Install the rail there, by screwing it into the anchors. 

I recommend you use a hand screwdriver rather than the electric one which might develop too much torque, which could damage the wall around the anchor.

You rail is now installed

To install your mosaic you just need to position its bracket slightly above the wall rail, and let it down into it.

Voila !

The whole operation should not take you more than 15 minutes.

Enjoy your mosaic.

 

If you have more questions about the installation of mosaics please contact me by email at frederic.lecut@gmail.com or by phone at (334) 798 1639.

You are also very welcome to contact me if you would like to purchase one of my existing pieces or commission the piece of your dreams or simply to discuss any aspect of the wonderful Art of Mosaics.

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