Ceiling hooks that need no drilling are great if you want to hang something from your ceiling without making holes or having to reach for one of your power tools. Read on to learn how to use these handy contraptions and select the right adhesive for the job.
Even experienced DIY fans can get a little nervous when they have to climb on a ladder to drill holes in ceilings, so it’s great that there are hooks you can attach to your ceiling using adhesive strips. They are also fabulous alternatives if you simply want to hang objects from your ceiling without making holes that you’ll have to repair sooner or later. And since you don’t have to haul out your power tools and bore holes, installing ceiling hooks without drilling saves you time.
Common projects in which you can use ceiling hooks without drilling include hanging mobiles, putting up string lights, hanging bed canopies, and suspending plants and decorative fixtures from your ceiling.
With all the drill-free ceiling hooks on the market, you’ll surely find one that matches your décor. However, appearances are not everything: many ceiling hooks come in packages with adhesive backings or adhesive strips, so you need to pay attention to the maximum weight the adhesive can hold, as well as the surfaces it can bond to. The product packaging or the manufacturer’s instructions will provide this information.
If you fall in love with hooks that don’t come packaged with an adhesive, you can reach for some mounting tape to attach them to your ceiling. Loctite Power Grab Mounting Tape is a great option: you can use this strong, permanent, double-sided tape both indoors and outdoors for quick and clean mounting applications that will last.
Please note regarding Loctite Power Grab Mounting Tape:
- Each roll holds up to 100 lb / 45 kg weight.
- Tape should be applied at a temperature of 50 °F / 10 °C or higher.
- Not suitable for water immersion.
- Do not touch the adhesive side of the tape.
- Coverage is dependent on the surface and thickness of the object. For flat objects with a thickness less than or equal to 39 inches (10 mm) on smooth and even surfaces, 6 inches (15 cm) of tape will hold up to 11 lb (5 kg). On nylon, polypropylene, and polyethylene, 10 inches (25 cm) will hold up to 5.5 lb (2.5 kg).
Once you have decided where you want to hang your hooks, you can make some preliminary markings and proceed as follows:
Clean the surface. Use a lint-free cloth/paper towel and an all-purpose cleaner to clean the area where you want to hang your hook. Allow the area to dry thoroughly to improve adhesion.
Prepare the hooks. If you have self-adhesive hooks, remove the backing on the adhesive. If you are attaching adhesives to the hooks, cut the appropriate amount of adhesive strip and apply it to the back of your hook as stated in the manufacturer’s instructions.
Position the hooks. Press them firmly into place where you want to hang your items.
Let the bond form. Some products have high initial tack but reach their final bonding strength after a certain amount of time. Read your product instructions to see whether your adhesive is one of them.