There’s no denying that command strips are a game-changer for anyone that doesn’t want to damage their walls. From hanging pictures to mounting plant holders, command strips seem to do it all. However, many people have a hard time figuring out just how much weight can command strips hold. So let’s take a deep dive into the ins and outs of command strips and figure out their weight limits.
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About Command Strips
Command strips are an easy solution for decorating and organizing all around the home. To put it simply, command strips have adhesive on both sides, making them extremely easy to use. All you have to do is stick the strips to an item and adhere the other side to the wall.
But what materials can they stick to? Luckily, command strips can stick to almost any material, including wood, metal, glass, tiles, or other smooth surfaces. However, you should keep in mind that they can ruin paper, fabric, or other soft materials. Nevertheless, common strips are perfect for hanging pictures without needing to nail them all around the house.
Why Should I Pay Attention to the Weight Limit?
Over time, the command strips might start to peel away and even fall off eventually. How soon that will happen solely depends on how much weight and pressure you are putting them through. For example, command strips will last much longer if you use them for items lighter than the recommended weight limit.
Therefore, it’s essential that you pay close attention to the weight limits of your command strips. Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging your wall, items, or anything that’s underneath them. Additionally, try not to reuse command strips, as they can lose their grip and damage your items.
But How Much Weight Can Command Strips Hold?
There are different types of command strips designed with specific weight limits in mind. For example, medium-strength command strips can hold up to 12 pounds with ease. In other words, you can hang a variety of picture frames, light mirrors, or even small plant wall shelves.
If you want to go even further, you can opt for the Heavy Duty Command Strips, which are designed to hold up to 16 pounds. Just how much weight is that? Essentially, you will be able to hang anything from picture frames to floating shelves. But remember that you will still have to be careful not to attach the command strips to fragile materials.
What Should I Avoid Hanging With Command Strips?
Even though most command strips are powerful enough to hold up to 12 or 16 pounds, there’s still a small risk when hanging certain items. As a rule of thumb, you should avoid hanging irreplaceable items such as expensive paintings, antique mirrors, or souvenirs. Similarly, don’t place command strips above important or fragile items like computers or drinking glasses.
Command Strips Usage Tips
Although command strips are fairly easy to use, you still need to be careful when installing them. The following tips are designed to help you safely install the command strips and reduce the risk of accidents:
- Preparation Is Key: You will have to prepare the surface before you even think about applying the command strips. First of all, clean the surface with rubbing alcohol by wiping gently and then let it dry. Avoid using house wipes or sprays as they can make the surface more slippery.
- Pay Attention When Pulling: Pulling the strips toward you or peeling from the wall will most likely damage them. Therefore, you should only pull straight down slowly, while keeping your hand against the wall as you go.
- Put Enough Pressure On It: When installing the strips, remember to put enough pressure when pressing them down. To further increase their adhesion, you can remove the frame and press on the wall strips for a few seconds after the initial installation. Repeat the procedure for all the strips and wait one hour before reattaching the frame.
- Safely Removing The Frame: If you want to remove the frame, you can do so by grabbing the bottom corners and peeling it up and away from the wall. Pulling it straight off will damage the strips or even the frame.
Final Thoughts
Overall, command strips are one of the most efficient and affordable ways to hang picture frames or other items around the house. And while they are durable and can hold up to 16 pounds, you still need to pay attention to what items you hang.
Nonetheless, you can safely rely on command strips to hold your pictures, mirrors, or even shelves. And if you want something more durable, you can always use an alternative such as command hooks or jumbo picture hangers.
Image credit: AngieYeoh / Shutterstock.com
