Steps for Properly Installing a Towel Bar

Project Summary

  • Duration of Work: 10 to 20 minutes
  • Overall Duration: 10 to 20 minutes
  • Output: Durable towel rack
  • Proficiency Level: Novice
  • Projected Expense: $0 to $10

Towel bars are notorious for detaching from walls, often resulting in damaged drywall. This issue typically arises from inadequate installation rather than a flaw in the design. To ensure the longevity of your towel bar, it is essential to mount it directly into the wall studs or to anchor it firmly to the drywall. Proper installation is crucial for supporting the weight of heavy, wet towels consistently over time.

Continue reading to discover the proper method for installing a towel bar, whether or not you have a stud to work with.

Prior to Getting Started

Towel bars come in various widths, so it’s important to measure the area where you plan to install one before purchasing. This will help you determine the most suitable size for both appearance and functionality.

In a perfect scenario, both ends of the towel bar would be firmly attached to a stud, which rarely occurs. However, if feasible, this would significantly enhance the towel bar’s stability. If you can’t find two studs that align with the towel bar’s placement, securing it to a single stud is preferable to not using any. If attaching to one stud results in an inconvenient placement, you can use anchors on either side. While this may not be the ideal solution, it can be effective if executed correctly.

Moreover, it’s important to establish the optimal height for your towel bar. A common guideline suggests a height of 48 inches, but this can be modified to accommodate your family’s needs and the specific purposes of the towel bar, whether it’s for hanging hand towels, drying bath towels, or storing extra towels for visitors.

Requirements

Devices / Instruments

  • Pencil
  • Tape measure
  • Level
  • Hammer
  • Drill
  • Boring tools
  • Screwdrivers
  • Stud locator

Materials

  • Towel rack complete with mounting accessories.
  • Wall anchors and screws (optional)
  • Optional 2-inch wooden screws

Instructions

Steps for Installing a Towel Bar

Tag the Wall

Identify the location on the wall where you plan to mount the towel bar. If a template was included with your towel bar, utilize it. If not, position the towel bar against the wall and make two marks that correspond to the mounting holes on the brackets. After that, take the towel bar down and verify the marks with a level to confirm they are even.

Tip

Whenever feasible, try to align at least one end of the towel bar with a wall stud, utilizing a stud finder to identify its location. This approach will significantly enhance the durability of your towel bar.

Create Openings in the Wall

At every marked point, create holes with the appropriate drill bit for your screws and anchors. When attaching directly to a stud, select a bit that is a bit smaller than the mounting screw. For drywall anchors, refer to the bit size recommended for your specific anchor type.

Insert the anchor into the drywall.

Insert the anchor into the hole and gently tap it with a hammer until it is level with the surface of the drywall.

Tip

Many towel bars are equipped with drywall anchors that may not provide sufficient support. To enhance the durability of your towel bar, consider replacing these anchors with more robust options, such as toggle-bolt anchors or winged plastic anchors.

Install Towel Bar Supports

Detach the brackets from the towel bar and secure them to the wall with the screws included.

Secure the bar holders and the bar in place.

Position the bar holder onto the bracket and fasten it with the set screw. Next, insert the bar along with the second bar holder and tighten the second set screw.

Advice for Prolonging the Lifespan of Your Towel Bar

To ensure the longevity of your towel bar, adopt a few straightforward practices. Avoid placing heavy towels on the bar, as this can lead to it detaching from the wall. When using it for hand towels, make it a routine to take the towel down to dry your hands instead of using it while it remains on the bar. Frequently tugging on the towel to dry your hands can gradually exert excessive pressure on the hardware, causing it to loosen from the wall over time.

What is the best way to secure a towel bar?

To secure a towel bar, opt for drywall anchors designed to provide a robust grip within the drywall. Choose anchors that either latch onto the rear side of the drywall or screw into it, instead of the conventional anchors that simply fit into a pre-drilled hole.

Is it necessary to use studs for installing a towel bar?

While it’s not necessary to install a towel bar directly into wall studs, doing so can significantly enhance its durability over time. Securing one end of the towel bar to a stud and the other to a drywall anchor is a more reliable option than not using a stud at all.

What are the steps to set up a towel bar without using a drill?

To set up a towel bar without using a drill, replace conventional drywall anchors with ones that don’t need drilling. These anchors can be inserted directly into the wall and secured with a regular screwdriver.

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