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I'm looking to hang up some canvas art (already on stretcher bars). However, I don't know what kind of hardware I need to use, because I have no idea what kind of walls they are. They don't seem like drywall because they seem like they're solid walls. Here is a likely useless video of me tapping on the wall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufvZzCUg1Gc
Is this plaster? If I want to put a screw in, should I drill a hole first? Should I be looking for studs?
The walls look and sound like plaster, probably over wooden lath. The lath is then nailed to wooden studs at intervals, probably at 16 inch centers.
A common approach to hanging art and mirrors on both plaster and plasterboard (drywall) is to use picture hooks with thin, hardened nails, such as these
The nails are sharp enough and thin enough not to do damage to most plaster. The hooks (properly sized and in multiples) are strong enough to hold up over 100 lbs. Canvases on stretchers should be no problem unless they are many feet long.
Use at least two hooks to spread the load and improve leveling of hte pictures.
When the load approaches 100 lbs., extends out from the wall, or is subject to movement, it's time to find studs, or at least heavy duty toggle bolts.
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>) for this. The problem is that non-visual web technologies (e.g. screenreaders for the blind) are often confused by this practice; it sees that it’s a codebox, so it treats it like code, which can make it very impractical to “read” the answer (e.g. some read code letter-by-letter!). Codeboxes should only ever be used for actual code.
The walls from your video sound as if they are made of plaster. To check either with a small diameter drill or nail in an inconspicuous spot on the wall. If either penetrate the wall easily it is not plaster. To secure items to a plaster wall you will need wall anchors. Wall anchors allow you to screw hooks and clips securely to the surface. You can also locate the wall studs that will support much heavier objects.
I agree with the sentiment that these are likely plaster walls.
For a canvas print...assuming it's not giant and heavy, a simple finishing nail is likely all you need.
I've hung a lot of art with a brad nail. What I do:
Again, that works for light-weight pictures...essentially nothing heavier than what would typically bend the brad to begin with. But surprisingly sturdy. Remember plaster is a lot stronger than wallboard for load bearing from a single point.
