Installing a towel bar in your bathroom can provide a convenient place to hang towels, freeing up space and decluttering your bathroom. While towel bars may seem simple, proper installation is key to ensuring they are securely mounted. A loose towel bar not only looks sloppy, but can also come crashing down, causing damage or injury. Follow this comprehensive guide to learn how to install a towel bar safely and securely.
Choosing the Right Towel Bar
The first step is selecting the right towel bar for your needs. Consider the following factors:
Type of Towel Bar
There are a few common types of towel bars:
- Single bar – A simple horizontal bar, usually 18-24 inches long. Allows hanging of towels over the bar.
- Double bar – Two bars positioned one above the other. Provides extra hanging space.
- Swing arm – Bar attached to adjustable arm that swings out for easy access. Can be positioned against wall when not in use.
- Post – Vertical bar attached to perpendicular post. Typically over door or next to sink for hanging hand towels.
Material
Towel bars come in various materials:
- Metal – Usually steel, brass, or aluminum. Most common type. Sturdy and affordable but prone to rust. Stainless steel resists corrosion. Brass provides classic look.
- Wood – Warm look but requires sealing to prevent water damage.
- Plastic/acrylic – Used for decorative or occasional-use bars. Less durable.
- Glass – Sleek modern look but heavier and more fragile.
Finish/Style
Towel bar finish or style is mainly an aesthetic choice, but consider bathroom decor. Common finishes:
- Polished, brushed, or oil-rubbed metals – Range from shiny to matte.
- Wood stains – Appearance of natural wood grain.
- Painted/lacquered wood – Colorful painted or glossy finish.
- Clear, frosted, or colored glass – Varying glass opacity.
Weight Capacity
Consider how many towels will be hung and buy a bar rated for adequate weight capacity. Standard is 10-20 lbs but heavier duty bars accommodate up to 50 lbs.
How to Install a Towel Bar Securely
Proper towel bar installation requires selecting appropriate hardware, locating mounting positions correctly, and securing the bar firmly in place.
Step 1: Gather Necessary Materials
You will need:
- Towel bar
- Pencil
- Tape measure
- Level
- Screwdriver
- Appropriate wall anchors and screws (see next step)
- Drill with appropriate drill bits
- Stud finder (for drywall installation)
Step 2: Select Proper Hardware
The hardware you need depends on what material your wall is made of.
Drywall Installation Hardware
For drywall, use hollow wall anchors. Common types:
- Plastic expansion anchors – Inserted into pre-drilled hole, then tightened to expand anchor against drywall.
- Toggle bolts – Collapse to fit through hole then spring back open behind wall. Requires large access hole.
- Molley or sleeve anchors – Threaded external sleeve grips drywall.
Matching screws need to fit anchor size. 1-1/4″ to 2″ long recommended.
Tile Installation Hardware
Tile requires specific masonry anchors and screws. Options include:
- Screw or bolt anchors – Drill hole in grout line for anchor insert. Allows screws.
- Adhesive anchors – Secured with adhesive rather than mechanical fastener.
For tile, use 1-1/4″ to 2-1/2″ screws. Ensure screws do not penetrate back of tile.
Solid Wall Installation Hardware
For solid walls like brick, concrete, or lumber, use:
- Lag bolts and shields – Pre-drilled hole allows lag bolt to thread directly into wall material.
- Tapcon concrete screws – Drill into concrete surface and tap screw in place.
For solid walls, lag bolts or Tapcons from 1″ to 1-1/4″ long are best.
Step 3: Mark Holes
Now it’s time to mark where holes need to be drilled. Have a helper hold bar in correct location. Consider height, spacing from wall, and angle. Use level to ensure bar is straight.
Mark hole locations with pencil. If possible, locate at least one anchor into wall stud rather than just drywall. Use stud finder to detect stud locations.
Typical spacing is 10-16 inches between mounting holes depending on length of bar. Make sure holes correspond to any pre-set mounting holes on ends of bar.
Step 4. Drill Holes
Take bar down and drill holes at all marked locations using correct size drill bit for the wall anchor:
- Plastic expansion – Drill hole slightly smaller than anchor diameter.
- Toggle bolt – Drill access hole equal to flange size.
- Molly/sleeve – Drill hole slightly smaller than sleeve diameter.
- Screw or bolt anchor – Use masonry drill bit and drill into grout line.
- Adhesive anchor – Drill hole to depth recommended by manufacturer.
- Lag bolt – Use masonry drill bit slightly smaller than bolt.
- Tapcon – Use masonry drill bit same diameter as screw.
Aim drill perpendicular to wall. Drill slowly and carefully. On tile, drill into grout instead of through tile.
Step 5: Insert Anchors
Insert appropriate anchors into all holes following manufacturer instructions:
- Plastic expansion – Tap anchor into hole flush with surface.
- Toggle bolt – Collapse wings and insert through hole. Allow to open up behind wall.
- Molly/sleeve – Tap anchor into hole until flange rests against surface.
- Screw/bolt anchor – Insert into hole and tap until secure.
- Adhesive anchor – Inject adhesive into hole following directions. Insert anchor.
No anchor is required for lag bolt or Tapcon in solid wall.
Step 6: Attach Towel Bar
You’re ready to mount the bar! Have assistant hold in place again in desired position.
- If pre-threaded mounting holes – Insert screws directly into anchors/wall.
- If unthreaded – Place bar against wall and mark holes. Remove bar and pre-drill holes.
Use screwdriver to tighten all screws into anchors until bar is firmly secured. Do not overtighten. Test for looseness by firmly pulling down on towel bar. Repeat steps to re-tighten or reposition as needed until bar is solidly fixed in place.
Troubleshooting Loose Towel Bars
Even when properly installed, towel bars can work loose over time. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Tighten screws – Simplest fix. Tighten all mounting screws. Be careful not to strip screw heads.
- Replace wall anchors – If screws spin freely, anchor may have torn out of wall. Follow installation guide to remove old anchors and install new reinforced anchors.
- Add additional anchors – Try adding an extra anchor at each end or in the middle if just 2 original anchors. Provides more support.
- Use longer screws – Replace original screws with slightly longer screws (1″ to 2″) to reach deeper into wall material or stud.
- Move to wall stud – If currently anchors are only in drywall, try moving towel bar to position at least 1 anchor over a wall stud for more stability.
- Fill anchor holes – Remove bar and fill old anchor holes with spackle or plaster. Then re-install in better supported location.
- Upgrade hardware – Replace plastic expansion anchors with stronger toggle bolts or metal Molly anchors.
- Strengthen support – On hollow vinyl or metal accessory walls, use blocking or plywood behind mounting holes to reinforce.
Taking steps to keep your towel bar sturdy right from the start will prevent looseness down the road. But even the most secure bars can eventually work loose from weight and movement. Follow these tips to tighten up a wobbly towel bar and restore your bathroom’s finished look.
FAQs About Installing Towel Bars
Still have some questions? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about towel bar installation:
Should towel bars be installed horizontally or vertically?
- Towel bars are generally installed horizontally to allow towels to be hung over them. Vertical installation is less common but can allow folding towels over the bar.
How high from the floor should a towel bar be installed?
- Most bath experts recommend installing towel bars 48-54 inches above the finished floor. This positions them for easy access while standing.
Where should towel bars go in a bathroom?
- Typical spots are above the toilet, next to or above bathroom sinks, inside showers, or on the back of doors. Position for convenient access from these locations.
How much weight can a towel bar hold?
- Most standard metal towel bars have a weight capacity of 10-20 pounds. More heavy-duty bars can hold up to 30-50 pounds.
Should I install towel bars into wall studs or use anchors?
- Installing into studs provides maximum strength, but anchors allow flexible placement. Use at least one stud anchor if possible, with hollow wall anchors in other spots.
How do I repair wall damage if my towel bar pulls out?
- When anchors rip out, they can remove chunks of drywall or plaster. Repair with spray texture or spackle to fill holes. Repaint repaired spots when dry.
Should I use silicone adhesive when installing a towel bar?
- Silicone is useful for extra strength and preventing moisture damage behind bar. Don’t rely solely on adhesive – mechanical wall anchors are still needed.
How do I stop my towel bar from loosening over time?
- Use secure anchors like toggle bolts, regularly check and tighten screws, or apply Loctite threadlocker to screws to prevent vibrational loosening.
How can I make my towel bar installation more accessible?
- Install swing arm or vertical post bars to bring towels within reach. Position lower for children or those in wheelchairs. Extendable bars are also an option.
Conclusion
Installing towel bars sounds simple, but doing it properly requires selecting the optimal hardware for your wall type, accurate hole drilling, and using high quality anchors. Mounting a bar securely not only keeps it from failing and creating safety issues, but also maintains the clean, finished look of your bathroom. If an existing towel bar does become loose, don’t ignore it – follow troubleshooting tips to re-tighten or reinforce it. With this detailed guide, you can master solid towel bar installation and keep your bathroom fixtures safely in place.