How to Hang a Heavy Mirror on Masonry | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner hang a large mirror on the stone chimney above his fireplace.
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Time: 2 hours

Cost: $5

Skill Level: Moderate

Tools List for Hanging a Heavy Mirror:
Scaffolding
Tape Measure
Hammer Drill
Screwdriver

Shopping List:
Concrete Anchors and Screws

Steps:
1. Set up scaffolding (staging) in the work area.
2. Measure the center to center distance between the two hooks on the back of the mirror.
3. Measure from the bottom of the mirror to the top of the hook.
4. Measure the width of the chimney, then divide that in half to find the center location.
5. Determine the height of the bottom of the mirror off the mantle. From that point, measure up to the height of the hooks.
6. Using the center mark as a reference, divide the spacing between each hook in half, placing two marks on the stone equidistant from the center mark.
7. Determine the height from the mantle to the center height mark. Transfer that height to the two hook position marks.
8. Use a hammer drill to make a hole at your mark for the concrete anchors. Pump the trigger and be gentle when starting the hole.
9. Slide the concrete anchor into the hole and tap it in place with a hammer.
10. Use a hand screwdriver to set the screw into the anchor.
11. Lift the mirror and set it on the hooks.

Resources:
Staging and hammer drills can be rented from a home center or a tool rental shop.

Concrete anchors and screws can be purchased at a home center.

About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Hang a Heavy Mirror on Masonry | Ask This Old House
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