Hanging large heavy mirror to Edwardian wall?

[jtimothy]

I have a large heavy mirror I want to hang on a wall in my Edwardian period flat. I am not sure what type of wall is it - it seems to be a combination of masonry, or half brick or stud partitions, covered with lime plaster - I can't seem to locate the studs to hang it.

The mirror is wood backed with hanging hooks on either side of the frame - it would need a wire I think to run though it, that would need to support it's weight.

How do I hang it, it's needs to be centred in the room so may not fall on the studs if indeed there are any. And what is the best method of hanging, i.e. what hanging system. I have a drill but don't have the right drill bits so would need to purchase these.

Thank you

Joe

[rowanwitch]

If it is a cavity wall the mega big metal fixings are brilliant but use two side by side a little bit apart as it will be safer as if one fails the other might hold the mirror until you can sort it out

I usually support the botton edge with a picture hook put in with the hook opened out to almost a right angle and fixed so the bottom of the picture rests on it it just takes a little of the weight of the main hooks/screws

[The Builder]

If it's an exterior wall, it could be an early cavity (depends where you live) but more likely it's solid brick or stone. If it was a fairly posh house the walls could be "studded off" ...... ie 2-inch (50mm) battens finished with lath and plaster, so you'd need to drill a few exploratory holes to find the studs. (As long as you don't have expensive wallpaper.)

If it's an internal wall, then most likely studwork with lath & plaster. Again, you need to search for the uprights. (If you drill a few 3mm holes in the area that will be covered by the mirror, they won't be seen. Find one stud....... then the others will be 16 inch (Imperial) centres.

If you're really stuck, then cut a piece of 9mm plywood to a size smaller than the mirror.......... and fix to the wall ......... then screw the mirror fixings to that.
Fix the ply with rawlplugs into the plaster ....... and "Grab Adhesive" to glue the ply in place. It'll carry the weight OK, but will rip off some plaster if you ever decide to move it :o(

[jtimothy]

But what if you rent the place and don't want to drill any more holes in the wall that you need to!?

[AlBags]

Just spike across the wall with a sharp point tool or fine screwdriver to find the studs . .or try a stud finder gadget to scan the wall with.