Screw anchor

Screw anchors of various sorts

A screw anchor (US term) or wall plug (British term) is a fastener that can attach one object to another in situations where screws, nails, adhesives, or other simple fasteners are either impractical or ineffective. Different types have different levels of strength and can be used on different types of surfaces.

Expansion anchors

Plastic screw anchors

These are often called "lead anchors" or "plastic anchors", and are used as follows:

1. Drill a hole the same size as the anchor body.
2. Push the anchor to its full depth in the hole.
3. Insert the screw through the item being fastened and screw it into the anchor tightly.

Other types

Other types of anchors, designed especially for fastening to hollow walls, include toggle bolts and molly bolts.

See also

• Wall plug
• Wedge anchor