Before you even buy a Command product, double-check that you’re choosing the right strips — and the right amount — for your project. Otherwise, you might end up with a peeled-off picture frame or a toppled over shelf.
Check the product’s weight ratings. Figure out the approximate weight of the item you want to mount. Then refer to the weight rating on the Command strip, hook, or other adhesive product.
For example, 3M (Command’s parent company) recommends four pairs of Large Picture Hanging Strips for items that weigh up to 15 pounds, but posters only need four small Poster Strips in each corner. Command’s product selector tool may help point you in the right direction, though some of the links were broken at the time of publishing.
For other hanging tools that come in rolls, like Gorilla Heavy Duty Mounting Tape or Scotch-Mount Indoor Double-Sided Mounting Tape, you can adjust the amount of tape you need depending on the weight of the item you’re mounting. Gorilla recommends using 2 inches of tape per pound up to 60 pounds, and similarly, Scotch recommends 3 inches of tape per pound, up to 15 pounds.
Next, confirm that the strips are suitable for the space. The indoor line of Command products is recommended for use in temperatures between 50 °F to 100 °F. But for extreme temperatures from -20 °F to 125 °F, look for Command’s outdoor line of products. Note that when applying strips outdoors, the ambient temperature should be above at least 15 °F so the adhesive can set, said Michael Fussy, 3M Command Brand application engineer.
Consider the type of surface you’re mounting on. Command strips work on painted, stained, or varnished wood, painted cinder block (like dorm and classroom walls), metal, and painted wallboard. They don’t, however, stick to highly textured surfaces like popcorn ceilings, unpainted brick, or concrete. Simply put: “Any walls more textured than an orange peel are not recommended for Command products,” according to Fussy.
If you’re hoping to mount items to brick, stone, or other textured surfaces, opt for an industrial strength adhesive product like Gorilla Heavy Duty Mounting Tape, which better bonds to textured surfaces and can be used outdoors. We don’t recommend using such a strong adhesive on drywall or plaster, though, as this is a more permanent option that can be difficult to remove.
3M also doesn’t recommend using Command strips on wallpaper, whether traditional or peel-and-stick. “Wallpaper is delicate and susceptible to ripping,” Fussy said, so “do not apply strips to paper, fabric or any other soft surfaces.” The same goes for other brands, as well, since strong adhesives are likely to rip wallpaper, but check the manufacturer instructions to be sure.
Consider the back of what you’re hanging. For example, if a picture frame has mounting hardware like a sawtooth hanger or wire, you can either remove it to ensure picture hanging strips or double-sided tape will sit flush with the wall, or you can opt for a low-profile hook or sawtooth hanger in conjunction with the existing hardware.
I’ve found that professionally framed items that have paper backing don’t work particularly well with adhesive strips, because the paper has a tendency to rip either from the adhesive or under the weight of the frame itself. Instead, I recommend adding mounting hardware or removing the paper backing so the Command strip can adhere directly to the frame.
