How to Hang Things on Brick — 6 Ideal Options

Whether you’re looking to hang artwork on an indoor brick wall or a trellis on the outside of your house, you will need to find some way to hang those items. Hammering nails into a wall using just a hammer isn’t an option because the brick is too tough. Either the nails will bend, or the brick will shatter. However, there are other options.

You can use nails by drilling holes first, or you can drill and place wall plugs and screws into the brick or mortar. Sleeve anchors are another good option if you’re willing to drill.

For drill-free hanging, you can use double-sided tape, Velcro, even construction adhesive, or brick clips. Below are six possible things that can help you hang items on brick walls.

The Top 6 Ways to Hang Things on Brick

1. Screws

Screwing into brick requires the use of a power drill and wall plugs. Drill a hole the same size or slightly smaller than the plugs. Push the plugs in and then screw the screws tightly into place. As you tighten the screws, they cause the plastic plug to expand and ensure a really tight grip. This is a good solution if the bricks are in good condition and you are looking for a semi-permanent or permanent hanging solution, but it can really cause damage if your brickwork isn’t in the best condition to start with.

2. Nails

Although you can’t hammer nails into brick using a hammer as you would into wood, you can still use nails to hang items on brickwork. Use a masonry drill bit and drill a hole that is very slightly smaller than the diameter of the masonry nails you will be using. Squirt a small amount of lubricant inside the hole and on the nail, and then gently tap the nail into the hole using a hammer.

3. Brick Clips

Brick clips are springy clips that are fixed at the top and the bottom of a brick and grip onto the masonry. As long as the lip of the brick is square and there is enough clearance between the lip and the mortar, these can hold up to 25 pounds or so and don’t usually require any drilling or hammering.

You can reshape the brick and mortar to ensure a tight fit and the best possible hanging solution. Make sure you choose brick hooks to match the size of your brick because bricks come in different standard sizes.

4. Double-Sided Tape

Double-sided tape can be very strong, and certain brands claim to be able to hold 50 pounds or more when stuck to a vertical surface. It is also easy to apply and doesn’t require any drilling or screwing into brick. For outdoor applications, choose waterproof double-sided tape, but try not to get too close to the maximum weight limit, or you do run the risk of the tape failing.

5. Velcro

Velcro is another sticky option for hanging items on brick. It comes in two strips, both of which have an adhesive back. Fix one side to the brick wall and the other to the item that you are hanging.

Velcro should comfortably hold around 10 pounds in weight and offers the advantage that you can take the item off and rehang it if you don’t initially place it quite right. This is a good option for hanging pictures and artwork on brickwork.

6. Construction Adhesive

Bricks and mortar are porous, but with enough construction adhesive, you can effectively plug the small holes and create a firm bond between the wall and whatever you’re hanging. The maximum weight allowance will depend on the type of adhesive glue used and how well you adhere it to both surfaces. Plus, it can be messy when you try and remove the item from the wall again, but it can be an effective way to hang some basic items in a garage or other outdoor building.

Do Command Strips Work on Brick?

Command strips, Command hooks, and other Command products are meant for use on smooth and non-porous surfaces. As such, they might work on painted bricks that are in good condition but will not reliably work directly on a brick surface.

What Is the Best Adhesive for Brick?

There are several masonry glue products on the market, which are designed specifically to work on the non-porous surface of brick and mortar. Gorilla Glue and Loctite’s masonry glue are two options.

Can You Use Gorilla Glue on Brick?

Gorilla Glue is designed to stick on non-porous surfaces and will work indoors and outdoors. It should provide a strong bond to hang items on brickwork.

Conclusion

Brick is tough and durable, which makes it great as a construction material, but it can also make it difficult to hammer and screw directly into. However, there are a number of methods of hanging items on brickwork. The best method for you will depend on the weight of what you hang, as well as the condition of the brickwork and whether you need an indoor or outdoor hanging solution.

Featured Image Credit: Alexander Denisenko, Shutterstock