# Best way to mount towel bar to drywall **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 23, 2020, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-mount-towel-bar-to-drywall/928751 "2020-12-23T16:13:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2020, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-mount-towel-bar-to-drywall/928751/1 "2020-12-23T16:13:36Z")
The towel bar originally installed by the builder 3 years ago finally wiggled its way out of the drywall. Looking at how it’s attached there are just two plastic mounting brackets the bar gets attached to and these mounting brackets are secured to the wall with a single small diameter screw/bolt. They originally mounted these to the drywall with plastic screw in anchors that the screw then got screwed into. (Of course going directly into a stud would be best but the bar is 24" and the studs are spaced 16") Is a better more secure option a toggle bolt along with a split/lock washer? ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2020, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-mount-towel-bar-to-drywall/928751/2 "2020-12-23T16:19:02Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > Is a better more secure option a toggle bolt along with a split/lock washer? Yeah, I thought toggle bolt as soon as I read the post title. As for split/lock washers, I’ve heard they don’t really work that well-- the ‘springy’ locking effect fatigues out quickly and it just becomes a normal washer. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![FigNorton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fignorton/32/5619_2.png) [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2020, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-mount-towel-bar-to-drywall/928751/3 "2020-12-23T16:22:25Z")
They make heavier duty screw in anchors for dry wall ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2020, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-mount-towel-bar-to-drywall/928751/4 "2020-12-23T16:24:43Z")
The toggle bolts are good as are winged plastic drywall anchors. Split/lock washer not needed. One other option, put a mounting board across two studs that will then let you secure the towel bar too. So a ¼" 26" board of poplar or something can look very nice. Easy to pick up in a building store. Paint or stain appropriately. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2020, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-mount-towel-bar-to-drywall/928751/5 "2020-12-23T17:13:24Z")
I cut out the drywall where the towel hanger mounts and install wood the same thickness as the drywall and then refinish to match the drywall. Not really that big of a job and well worth it. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2020, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-mount-towel-bar-to-drywall/928751/6 "2020-12-23T18:11:27Z")
I would use a Snap Toggle rather than a toggle bolt, because (1) they’re stronger, and (2) they require a smaller hole. The gigantic hole needed for a toggle bolt might be visible after mounting the towel bar, depending on the shape of the bar holder. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2020, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-mount-towel-bar-to-drywall/928751/7 "2020-12-23T19:06:22Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > I would use a Snap Toggle rather than a toggle bolt, because (1) they’re stronger, and (2) they require a smaller hole. That looks more like what I’m looking for. Do they sell those along side the other at the big box stores? ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-mount-towel-bar-to-drywall/928751/8 "2020-12-23T19:27:55Z")
I’ve never had any trouble finding snap toggles at Home Depot type places. Oh, another advantage I forgot to mention – if you ever need to temporarily remove the bolt, the part of the snap toggle inside the wall doesn’t fall off and get lost like it does with a toggle bolt. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2020, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-mount-towel-bar-to-drywall/928751/9 "2020-12-23T19:42:49Z")
I’ve had success with these plastic butterfly hollow wall anchors. Your wall already has a hole from the previous attempt. I prefer spackling it and installing the towel bar a inch higher or lower. Drill into fresh drywall. Follow the instructions and use the correct size bit. Install anchor and tighten the screw to spread the butterfly. Remove the screw and install towel bar plate. > **[TOGGLER 167-lb 5/16-in x Assorted Length Multi-Purpose Anchors with Screws...](https://www.lowes.com/pd/TOGGLER-5-Pack-Assorted-Length-x-5-16-in-Dia-Standard-Drywall-Anchor-Screws-Included/3183811?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-hdw-_-google-_-lia-_-126-_-hollowwallanchors-_-3183811-_-0&placeholder=null&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=CjwKCAiA8ov_BRAoEiwAOZogwX0FGfSpKcjUoyL5Bzb9OXSPkvZF11cU-b_c_-KRVr3AschGhJOCSxoCgBIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)** > > Shop TOGGLER 167-lb 5/16-in x Assorted Length Multi-Purpose Anchors with Screws Included (5-Pack)undefined at Lowe's.com. Grips and locks on walls or ceilings 3/8-in to 1/2-in thick (e.g., residential drywall) for medium duty holding, but also works... ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2020, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-mount-towel-bar-to-drywall/928751/10 "2020-12-23T19:48:21Z")
I like this kind of drywall anchor. The anchor part remains in the drywall. The only downside is that it leaves quite a large hole if you remove it. > **[HSP Metal drywall anchor - Drywall Anchors - Hilti USA](https://www.hilti.com/c/CLS_FASTENER_7135/CLS_DRYWALL_ANCHORS_7135/r626)** > > Hilti Drywall Anchors - HSP Metal drywall anchor - Self-drilling metal drywall anchor for faster, more reliable and more economical fastening to drywall ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2020, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-mount-towel-bar-to-drywall/928751/11 "2020-12-23T19:57:30Z")
Toggler or snapToggle style are the best I’ve found besides having a stud in place. If you are doing a grab bar, remember you cannot use any of these anchors. The only anchor approved for grab bars is the Moen Securemount system or bolted/screwed directly into studs.