What Can Be Used to Attach Metal to a Wall?

Glues

• Most glues have trouble with metal: either the adhesive bond is not strong enough, or the conductive properties of the metal keep the glue from lasting long. However, cyanoacrylate glues can be useful for gluing small amounts of metal to walls. This is often referred to as instant glue or super glue, because of its fast-acting properties. Keep your metal objects small, and cyanoacrylate glues may do the job.

Finishing Nails

• When it comes to metal construction, metal pieces often have to be attached to other metal framework, such as metal sills around a window or metal framework around a door. For these projects, metal construction uses finishing nails, nails that are designed to fit precisely into pre-made slots in the metal material. Sometimes, workers attach a wood framework to give the nails the proper purchase when being used.

Magnets and Screws

• Magnets and screws are options if you want to hang a metal piece of art, metal shelves or similar objects. In some cases, you can install a bolt or anchor into the wall, which is positioned to hold a small but strong magnet to which you can attach the metal artwork. Hanging or bolt attachments can also be used with screws drilled directly in the studs.

Fasteners and Anchors

• Strong fasteners and anchors may be needed if you are attaching metal to strong substances like concrete. Concrete anchors are designed to expand outward into the concrete, locking in and preventing the attachment from moving. This is necessary when bolting metal objects to concrete walls, which might wear down and crumble over time.