How To Hang Mosaic Art / Hanging Picture Hardware

In this video I will show you five options that you can choose from that best suits your mosaic substrate. PLEASE NOTE: I have shown you how to use the French Cleat system incorrectly in this video.
Marmox and Wedi Board hanging Hardware kits are available from the following online stockists.
www.smaltiaustralia.com
www.ozmosaics.com.au
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Videos produced by Treasury Road and all material provided within this website is for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only. The video and all included information does in no way constitute the provision of professional advice.
Some of these projects, materials, and techniques may not be appropriate for all ages. Treasury Road does not guarantee or make any claims of the safety of the projects, techniques, or resources listed on this site and will not take responsibility of what you do with the information provided by this site. Users should seek appropriate independent professional advice prior to relying on, or entering into any commitment based on material published here, which material is purely published for reference purposes alone.
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[@TammyBurke]

The French cleat, the wall piece is shown upside down. It would need to be screwed in the wall, and the screw holes are shown going into the slot side of the cleat. The way they are shown here there's no way to attach to the wall. Am I missing something? Great video though. Very helpful.

[@TreasuryRoad]

You are so right, no one has picked up on that mistake, I will add that into the video description to let people know, thankyou so much for pointing that out .:)

[@sunshinejenny5536]

WOW! Thank You! This video is quite extensive! Have to watch again several times.

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thanks heaps Sunshine so glad you're enjoying them. :)

[@Steph-in-the-Stars]

Thank you again, Peter, for another great and informative video. I’ve screwed small planks of wood to the backs of my Wonderboards (cement sheets, basically), but can see now the error of my ways.😬😉 I’ve made the tops way too thick so now when they’re hanging, they’re not even close to being flush with the wall. Oh well! Live and learn, I guess!

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou very much, doing things and learning from them is part of the process and sometimes we stumble across an idea that will work in other projects. :)

[@dogfaceboy47]

Thank you! I have done it before but had forgotten, and I ordered a bunch of the Wedi hangers in bulk, and they came with no instructions. Yours are perfect.

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much, glad I could help and buying in bulk is so cost effective. :)

[@devonfox255]

thank you! very informative.

[@TreasuryRoad]

My pleasure. :)

[@connierose648]

Thanks!

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much Connie appreciate that very much. It will go towards the channel. :)

[@sarahjames6607]

Hi this is all so helpful. I have begun to create outdoor wall pieces for people and I have had a request to not use wire and to make it so they can screw the boards right into their walls so that the pieces aren't taken (life in a city). I wonder how I can use the washer/screw method into wedi board but then instead of d rings use something that rises above the piece allowing the recipient to screw it into their external wall? I have had a lot of house number requests and want to do this right! Thanks in advance

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou very much. I think the problem may require some R&D (research and development) I dont know of anything that is available that would be able to do what you need. Adhering to the wall is one thing but being able to have the receiptant install the piece as well as having an anti theft mechanism in place may not be impossible but will require considerable thought and maybe some engineering. Perhaps a simple frame with locknuts or keyed nuts so they can't be undone. :)

[@kristybowling7644]

Thank you so much for the awesome videos! Can the first method, marmox washers and D-rings, be used on a Ceramic Tile Substrate? Do you just mosaic over the marmox washer and bolt, with no problem?

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou very much, when tightening the nut the front part sinks in a bit making it almost flush with the surface, there are different Marmox washer setups but they work basically the same and yes you can tile over the flat side not the washer and bolt side. I haven't tried that system with a tile you may need to modify it slightly and also be very careful tightening it, but do a test piece first. :)

[@sunshinejenny5536]

I was wondering that also about it sticking out and not being flush.

[@piajaime3851]

Hi! Thank you so much for your video. Which system will you recommend for a very large piece,made out of parts of about 1,20 m x 1m ? It will go outdoors and I am thinking of making a metal frame for it.

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much. I cant specifically comment on your job as there are so many variables with any project but I would think about creating a frame so the mosaic fits inside and screws to the wall. If you mosaic is going outside then it will need to be adhered well so its not effected by the wind or cannot be removed easily. :)

[@kyliehood4824]

Thank you for the video so much information. Can you tell me where you source your marmox washers from. I live in country SA and am having trouble finding them. Thanks alot.

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much and thankyou for watching, its in the description box of this video. :)

[@bevturquoise4651]

Hi Peter, I was wondering how to hang a mosiac outdoors on a stucco wall without drilling a hole in the stucco. I looked at various products....for sure IDK. Maybe Loctite Fun Tak?? Thanks.

[@TreasuryRoad]

Hi Bev, Im not sure what Stucco is and of course it depends on the size, I would have thought having a metal frame made that will ensure its safely hung and not likely to fall, anything where you are using adhesive of any type is always a risk of it giving way when using it to support hanging hardware. Having a frame made isn't that expensive, you just need a handyman. :)

[@sunshinejenny5536]

To me, in the USA, stucco usually is meant the exterior cement plaster on the outside of homes in dry areas like Arizona and the West. (Like an a Italian style house, Spanish Mediterranean look)

[@TreasuryRoad]

@@sunshinejenny5536 Ahh thankyou so much Sunshine. :)

[@domingaacosta3747]

Hi! You explain it very well question I did understand that the hanging goes before the mosaic I am right ?? Thanks

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much. If you are using Wedi, Marmox, Thermasheet or any similar substrates, the hangers do need to go on before starting the mosaic. :)

[@domingaacosta3747]

@@TreasuryRoad Thanks! For you’re help and you’re very welcome !I love crafts ❤️

I made a natural stone mosaic measuring 80x50 on 4 mm MDF, weighing approximately 7-8 kg. how can i hang it? Thank You from Turkiye!🎉👏🏼👏🏼

[@TreasuryRoad]

Generally speaking, 4mm MDF isn’t very thick for that size, also it doesn’t allow very much thickness for the hangers or screws. For future reference l would consider the French Cleat system to hang it before adding the mosaic and use thicker MDF. In this particular case l would consider having a metal frame made that the mosaic can sit into, l think it would be the most secure way moving forward. Greetings from Australia. 😊

@@TreasuryRoad It was very enlightening for me. I will do my next project exactly as you said. You are so right, we have a lot to learn from you. 🌸🎉

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much, there is more than one way to do a project so I am always learning as well. Appreciate the comment. :)

[@trishjordan3008]

Hi Peter, thank you for another great tutorial. I am in a bit of a quandary about how to hang an exterior home address - 1. for the inside porch and 2. another for the letterbox. I thought the attachment would be quite simple, just drilling the cement sheeting mosaic into the concrete wall in the porch and the cement post at the letterbox. I can't even obtain a substrate as the local hardware shop has told me that the only options for exterior can not be cut at the store and Bunnings here also said that the won't cut.Both stores have cement sheeting but say it can't be cut into measurants as it shatters. So I am now in the position of not knowing what substrate and also how to hang it. Have you any ideas on options?

[@TreasuryRoad]

The problem with cement sheet is the silica that it contains which is dangerous to your lungs and irreversible so many retailers will not cut it for you. It can be cut however precautions need to be taken. A lot of mosaic artists use Thermasheet, Wedi Board and Marmox which are lightweight substrates, these are not available through Bunnings but can be purchased online through Smalti Australia, Oz Mosaics and other retailers. You can cut these boards yourself wearing protective gear or they have them in cut sizes, they still contain silica but its not as messy as cement sheet and they are a lighter weight. The edges need to be protected due to the styrene center I have created a video on that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYazdpubrrmosK8 If you have a talk to either Smalti Australia or Oz Mosaics and explain to them what you want to do with it they will best advise you on how to proceed. :)

[@yetziratiart]

Thank you so much for this video! What would you recommend I use for a 40*40cm mosaic mirror frame on MDF? Thank you so much again!

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thanks very much Leah. I cant specifically advise you on your project as there are variables I cant see such as the thickness of MDF, final weight, where its going, etc. If I was creating a piece that size I would consider the larger D Rings or the French cleat system. :)

[@yetziratiart]

@@TreasuryRoad , thank you so much for your reply, I will look into it. I haven't decided yet on the thickness of the MDF but was thinking of having it 1cm thick if that makes any difference. If you think a different thickness would work better, I'd love to know as well. Love your very informative videos!

[@yetziratiart]

Oh and woudl I still use marmox washers with the D-rings if I'm using MDF and not marmox as my substrate?

[@geraldinefeaver9437]

I’m creating a mosaic design on the back of a floor tile. What do you use for hanging the finished tile?

[@TreasuryRoad]

I have made a video on that called "Cheap mosaic Substrate". :)

[@btrflywmn]

Hi, I’m a newbie and I’m enjoying all your videos. I have a question, you said you always seal your board before putting the mosaic pieces, what do you use to seal it?

[@TreasuryRoad]

Hi and thankyou very much. I seal MDF and Marine Plywood with a mixture of Weldbond and Water 1 to 4 parts sealing liberally all over including the sides, wood should only be used inside. If Im using Concrete, Cement Sheet or Terracotta, I seal those with Pot and Ornament Sealer from Bunnings which dries clear or Laricrete Hydroban with dries to a sage colour. You can use other sealers as long as they are suitable for the substrates. Some people chose not to seal their pieces but I prefer too.

[@btrflywmn]

Treasury Road thank you so much!

[@TreasuryRoad]

@@btrflywmn My pleasure. :)

[@suegamble8339]

Hello I have already made my mosaic panel on tile sheeting, like concrete sheet I suppose. I have now got to work out how to hang it. I realise next time I must attach fittings first! any ideas greatly appreciated. thnx

[@TreasuryRoad]

Hi, I dont know if its and inside piece or an outside piece or the size. The only secure way I can think of would be to have a metal frame made out of U channel and slide the mosaic into that and then add U channel to the top as well so its secure on all four sides, have hooks welded to the back of the U channel so you can hang it. :) Some people adhere to the back of cement sheeting with construction adhesive and timber to make a frame but I would prefer to over engineer a piece rather than rely on adhesive to hold a mosaic up.

[@suegamble8339]

@@TreasuryRoad thanks for that. Im pretty sure it will be inside. I was thinking of screwing two screws ( could add t REX glue also in screw holes) in the back through tiles sheets and using heavy wire??? it weighs four kgs all up

[@TreasuryRoad]

@@suegamble8339 You can only try it and see if it works. :)

[@viviennemcnally3319]

Hi Peter, just wondering if you had any hints on hanging a mosaic that I have done on the back of a normal white tile, similar to a subway tile. I have a masonary drill bit. Its only a small tile.. 17cm long by 10cm wide. so should I use a D hanger? any help would be appreciated..

[@TreasuryRoad]

Hi Vivienne, you would just need to use a small drill and keep it away from the edge so you don't chip or crack the tile and drill two holes at the top. You could also pop it into a shadow box frame if its an inside piece. I don't like using adhesive or anything glue to adhere to the bac of the tile as it could give way. Its best to consider the hanging of a piece before mosaicking onto the substrate. I have created a video on drilling a hole in ceramic tile, kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoukoZ1mbtGtb5I :)

[@pennyfield203]

Hi Peter, when you purchase the French Cleats, do you have to then purchase the lightweight board washers and screws separately?

[@TreasuryRoad]

Yes I do, I buy the French Cleats and the washers and screws desperately. :)

[@pennyfield203]

@@TreasuryRoad Thank you 😊

[@trishjordan3008]

I forgot to add in my question that the house is over 70 years old and concrete. So hanging something outside will be being adhered to concrete in some way.After watching your mesh tutorial I started wondering if using mesh could be an option but I will still be in the same position about how to hang or whether I just adhere the mesh and grout it to the concrete. ??

[@TreasuryRoad]

I cant answer specifically regarding your job as there are always variables that I cannot see. Generally speaking you can always have a frame made to hold the substrate so it can be bolted to the house in case you want to remove it. Depending on the size adhering it is generally not an issue, it depends if you want to remove it at a later date. You can also join one of the Facebook mosaic groups such as Mosaics Australia Wide or Mosaic Mentoring to name a couple and take some photos and add the size of the piece and people will generally comment giving you options. :)

[@starsnkites7927]

Hello - great video! I'm planning my first mosaics that I'll be doing on my own and have a few hanging questions. I'm using HardiBacker cement board and am going to do several sized mosaics which run from small (6"x8" & 8"x10"), to larger (18"x24"). - I'm assuming I shouldn't use D-Rings, even for the smaller pieces? - Would I use just the t-nut system for all? Even small t-nuts seems like overkill for the smaller pieces. - Even though I'm not using Wedi Board, would it be appropriate to use the wedi hanging system for the smaller pieces? Thanks so much!

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou very much Stars. I cant speak specifically about your job as there are always variables I cannot see as with any job, I'm assuming these are for hanging inside. If you are using Hardibacker which I think is similar to cement sheet over here, you would need it fairly thick to take the hardware, which will make the piece heavier especially the larger you go, over kill is not a bad thing as long as it works well. Some people build a wooden frame at the back and adhere it to the Hardibacker which will make it heavier but easier as you wont require the board to be as thick. For the larger piece consider using the French Cleat system as it will be easy to hang and hang straight. You could adhere Hardibacker board into a purpose built frame, the smaller ones you could buy 2nd hand or off the shelf frames, that way it would be less bulky and present well, also using thinner Harbiacker board. If you want them all to look the same then you will need to compromise and go with the best option that suits all of them. :)

[@starsnkites7927]

@@TreasuryRoad Thanks so much for the reply! There is all sorts of info. out there about working with mosaics, but very little on hanging hardware and procedures. Yes, these will be inside mosaics. - I got just 1/4" thick cement board (Hardibacker). Too thin for any hardware to be attached to it? Would it just crack or something when I drilled the holes? I have small, med. and larger T-Nut sets. - Would 1/4" thick be OK for the smaller pieces - attaching hardware to it? If yes, up to about what size? Or would I need a frame for the smaller sizes, too? - For the larger pieces, what would I use to adhere a wooden frame to the back of the Hardibacker, or to a built frame? Some type of glue? Cement? Suggestions for that? - I'm assuming I could attach wood hanging hardware to the wood frame and hang it that way? Thanks again!

[@TreasuryRoad]

@@starsnkites7927 Hi Stars, thanks so much. I cant really answer your questions as I try and avoid using Hardibacker due to the weight and having to have the thickness needed to support hanging hardware and the finished weight to be taken into consideration. You would need to do some experimenting or join a few Facebook mosaic groups such as Mosaic Mentoring. There are members in their that do use Hardibacker and do make a frame for it from which the piece can be hung or a float frame can be made which I think is a great idea. Here's a video of a guy making a backing board or hanging his mosaic. wear a P2 or a N95 mask or preferably a respirator mask to guard against the silica dust that you don't want to breath in as it irreversible when it gets into your lungs. Preferably do it up wind as well so the dust doesn't go over you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3mVmZJsosqrq8k I have seen other videos on KZbin as well. Let me know how you go and what you decided to do. :)

[@starsnkites7927]

@@TreasuryRoad Thanks again - I'll check out the video and the FB group! :- )

[@katherinerich373]

In using this system, the TNut is not always flush and the mosaic tesserae lifts up just a bit to compensate. Have you encountered this? What do you suggest?

[@TreasuryRoad]

It should be fairly flush, you are countersinking it a bit, what small rise it has shouldn't make a difference. I haven't had this issue but I'm using thinset (cement based adhesive), if you're using a adhesive such as Weldbond then this could create a possible problem because the adhesive has very little body to it. Some people do put a small piece of alkaline resistant adhesive mesh over the top of it and then a skim coat of thinset. Some cover all the surface with a skim coat of thinset as well but generally that isn't really really needed just their personal preference. :)

[@dishlickersgrooming9262]

Where do you buy the Wedi hangers or marmox hangers in Australia though? I can only find them in packs of 1,000 for construction businesses 😮

[@TreasuryRoad]

You can buy them from www.smaltiaustralia.com also www.merlinmosaica.com.au and also ozmosaics.com.au Make sure you buy ones that are suitable for the thickness of the board. Thankyou for watching and commenting. :)

[@Lorraines_Mini_Kingdom]

How would i attach an address number to a wall outside on tile backer board? ( wedi board ) Do i just leave holes for screws to go directly through or can i add something to the back

[@TreasuryRoad]

Generally speaking If you are attaching it permanently you can drill holes and add a piece of aluminium tubing and adhere into the holes so as you don’t crush the Wediboard when tightening the screws. You can use domed bolts and they can look good or you can hide the screws and just cover them with a piece of tessera when the sign is screwed on. Another .option Is to have a metal frame made that takes the sign and have it made with screw holes top and bottom so you can just screw it to the wall. You can also use the French Cleat system top and bottom to hang the sign if you don’t want it permanently in place.

[@Lorraines_Mini_Kingdom]

@@TreasuryRoad Thankyou :) I hadn't thought about aluminium tubing. That'd be perfect

[@sylviadunn7290]

Where do you source your hangers from, in particular the French cleats?

[@TreasuryRoad]

I just Google French Cleats to buy and it comes up with manufacturers and a number of retailers that also include Amazon.

[@susankuban5128]

I have wanted to make mosaics on a ceramic plate and an oval silver tray. I had to give these up when I couldn't come up with a safe way to hang them. I feared the weight of the plate or tray, when added to the tesserae, would be too much strain on any kind of adhesive backed hook. I thought about buying a plate-hangar but they come in limited sizes. Do you have any other ideas?

[@TreasuryRoad]

I definitely wouldn't use those adhesive backed hooks I have seen them give way. I haven't had any experience with hanging plates or silver trays but I would have thought the French Cleat system would be a good place to start but it would mean drilling into the plates or the metal tray and adding rubber washers to take some of the pressure off so you dont over tighten and crack the plate. The other alternative is rather than hang them is put the plate on a plate easel and the tray on an artists easel to have on a bench. Before you begin drilling into anything get a cheap plate and see how you go drilling it and adding a French Cleat system to it, if it works then the chances are it should work on the one you want to mosaic too but go slow drilling the plate and use water and a mask and protective eyewear and drill it outside. Im not keen on this idea but you could buy construction adhesive in a tube and adhere the French Cleat system to the back of the plate and the tray that would certainly be better than the adhesive hooks just scratch the back of the plate and tray to give the adhesive a bit of tooth to hang onto. Best Of Luck and please let me know how you go. :)

[@susankuban5128]

@@TreasuryRoad Thank you for your detailed suggestions! I hope to do a piece on a plate later this year and will take your advice. I'll "report back" on my experience. :-)

[@user-ml8ok2wb1n]

for wedi board is the first or the second metod beter?

[@TreasuryRoad]

For Wedi or Marmox board you can use D-Rings if its a small mosaic and for a large mosaic you would use the French Cleat System as it makes a large piece easier to hang and keeps it hanging straight. In this video I showed the French Cleat system upside down. :)

[@pryanarose3891]

How can I hang a microwave plate sun catcher outside?

[@TreasuryRoad]

The safest way is to have a frame made for it. :)

[@pryanarose3891]

Thank you

[@SearchingforOccupy]

What if I have a finished mosaic that I forgot to put a hanger on my piece and now it’s finished and I want to hang it?

[@TreasuryRoad]

I have no idea what your substrate is. If its Wedi board or some similar product then a frame is really your only choice. Other options depend on the size, substrate and the thickness. :)

[@SearchingforOccupy]

@@TreasuryRoad Thank you so much for replying. Sorry for my inadequate info. I found this funky homemade frame and recessed backing made out of particle board and without thinking I did a mosaic of my two dogs in glass. I then mosaiced little tiles over the frame, so it’s pretty heavy. The particle board is two pieces glued together an inch thick, but the part where the mosaic is is only about 1/2” thick so I’m afraid any kind of nail I could safely put in the back won’t hold the weight. I may just be out of luck which is a shame because the piece turned out pretty nice. I am a huge fan of yours and sincerely thank you for your response. I have a couple more small smalti works on wedi board that I made the same mistake with. Live and learn, I guess.

I made a natural stone mosaic measuring 80x50 on 4 mm MDF, weighing approximately 7-8 kg. how can i hang it? Thank you from Turkiye 👏🏼🎉

[@suegamble8339]

Can I use T nuts on concrete sheet?

[@TreasuryRoad]

If the concrete sheet is the same as cement sheet, personally I haven't used Tnuts on cement sheet and probably wouldn't as the Tnuts pull into the sheet so would need to be countersunk and in that case you would need fairly thick cement sheet otherwise they may pull through depending on the thickness and then that makes the piece quite heavy. I have seen some people use them but I personally haven't. :)

[@suegamble8339]

@@TreasuryRoad ok thanks for that. I might give it a go, counter sinking wont matter too much I dont think