Which drill bit should I use?

One matching the plug diameter. A 10 mm plug takes a 10 mm bit; in a larger hole the plug sits loose and spins with the screw.

Can a standard plug be used in aerated concrete?

It should not be. AAC is porous and soft, and a standard plug crumbles it as it expands. A coarse spiral AAC plug spreads the load over a far wider area.

How much can be hung on plasterboard?

The capacity comes from the fixing type and board thickness, not the board itself. Light and medium loads go on toggle or self-drilling cavity fixings; heavy loads must reach the stud or the wall behind.

What is the difference between a drop-in and a sleeve anchor?

A drop-in anchor is expanded with a hammer and takes a bolt afterwards; a sleeve anchor expands its sleeve as its own bolt is tightened. Both are for heavy loads in concrete.

Why does an insulation fixing have a wide head?

Insulation board is soft, and a narrow head simply sinks into it without holding. The wide head spreads the pressure and presses the board flat without crushing it.

Does the hole really need dusting out?

Yes. Dust left in the hole stops the plug bearing on the wall and cuts holding power sharply. Blow or brush the hole clear before fitting.

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Wall Plugs & Anchors

Choosing a plug starts with the substrate, not the load: the same screw that holds in solid brick holds nothing in hollow brick. This page covers substrate-to-plug matching, the hole diameter rule, and where steel anchors become necessary. The catalogue holds over 80 sizes.

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Choosing by substrate

A plastic plug expands as the screw enters and presses against the hole wall, so it needs solid material to squeeze against. Hollow brick has none, so plugs that fold or knot open inside the void are used instead. Aerated concrete is porous and soft: a standard plug crumbles it, while a spiral AAC plug spreads its grip over a much wider area.

In plasterboard the board itself carries nothing; a toggle or self-drilling cavity fixing opens behind the sheet and spreads the load. On insulation board, a wide-head insulation fixing presses the board without crushing it.

Substrate	Fixing	Typical size
Concrete, solid brick	Plastic plug	6, 8, 10, 12 mm
Hollow brick	Hollow-brick plug	8x60, 8x80, 8x100
Aerated concrete (AAC)	AAC spiral plug	8, 10 mm
Plasterboard	Steel or plastic cavity fixing	Short/long
Concrete, heavy load	Sleeve / drop-in steel anchor	M8-M12, 6x65-8x100
Insulation board	Insulation fixing	50-120 mm

Hole diameter, depth and steel anchors

The hole diameter must equal the plug diameter, and the depth should exceed the plug length by a few millimetres so debris does not stop it seating. A plug set into an undusted hole holds far below its rated load.

Under heavy load a steel anchor replaces the plastic plug. A sleeve anchor expands its sleeve as the bolt is tightened; a drop-in anchor is set with a hammer and takes a bolt afterwards; hooked and clipped versions give a ready fixing point for suspension and services.

Plug diameter = drill bit diameter.
Drill a few mm deeper than the plug length.
Clear the dust; debris is the main enemy of holding power.
Use steel anchors for heavy loads, vibration and overhead work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which drill bit should I use?
One matching the plug diameter. A 10 mm plug takes a 10 mm bit; in a larger hole the plug sits loose and spins with the screw.
Can a standard plug be used in aerated concrete?
It should not be. AAC is porous and soft, and a standard plug crumbles it as it expands. A coarse spiral AAC plug spreads the load over a far wider area.
How much can be hung on plasterboard?
The capacity comes from the fixing type and board thickness, not the board itself. Light and medium loads go on toggle or self-drilling cavity fixings; heavy loads must reach the stud or the wall behind.
What is the difference between a drop-in and a sleeve anchor?
A drop-in anchor is expanded with a hammer and takes a bolt afterwards; a sleeve anchor expands its sleeve as its own bolt is tightened. Both are for heavy loads in concrete.
Why does an insulation fixing have a wide head?
Insulation board is soft, and a narrow head simply sinks into it without holding. The wide head spreads the pressure and presses the board flat without crushing it.
Does the hole really need dusting out?
Yes. Dust left in the hole stops the plug bearing on the wall and cuts holding power sharply. Blow or brush the hole clear before fitting.