A hook bolt is a curved steel fastener that resembles the top part of a question mark. The long, straight section of a hook bolt is usually threaded and may come with one or two nuts screwed on. Hook bolts are a type of anchor bolt commonly used to hang items from ceilings and walls. Most hook bolts are made of hardened stainless steel so they can handle heavy weight without bending or breaking. Standard hook bolts have an open end to make it quick and easy to remove and rehang items.
The straight, threaded end on a hook bolt is flat and does not taper like the end of a hook screw. Installation of a hook bolt usually requires the drilling of a guide hole. Hook bolt fasteners are regularly bolted into wooden studs behind the drywall on a wall or ceiling for added stability. Standard and locking washers are commonly applied to the joint between a hook bolt and a wall to keep the bolt from becoming loose from weight and vibration. Some hook bolts are designed to be screwed into bolt anchors that expand inside the wall to lock the hook in place.
Most manufacturers list the weight capacity limits on the packaging of hook bolts. Generally the thicker the diameter of the hook bolt, the more weight it is capable of handling. The chance of failure and damage can be greatly reduced by dividing the weight of a heavy hanging object among a few different hook bolts. Bridging the gap between a heavy hanging items and hook bolts with strong springs reduces the direct impact on the fastener for added strength and security. Hanging chairs often come complete with mounting hardware that includes hooks bolts and heavy gauge springs.
Installing a few well-placed hook bolts can open up new storage and decoration possibilities in a home or business. A hook bolt is the fastener to secure hanging plants and hanging art. The inexpensive and versatile hook bolt has thousands of indoor and outdoor applications. Most hook bolts can be removed and reinstalled in another location in minutes with very little damage to the walls. Floor space in a crowded room can be increased by securing hook bolts in a ceiling to work as pulleys so that occasional-use items like bikes and off-season clothing can be tied to a rope and hoisted up and out of the way.
