Yes. AS Hanging Display Systems are fully compatible with concrete and brick walls when you use the correct masonry anchors and drilling approach. In fact, masonry walls often make an excellent base for a permanent track installation because the substrate is dense, stable, and capable of carrying significant loads without flexing.
Why concrete and brick work well
Drywall depends on anchors that grip a thin gypsum panel, but concrete and brick let your fasteners bite directly into solid material. Once the track is properly secured, the wall itself becomes a strong, vibration resistant platform for hanging artwork, signage, mirrors, or display panels. This makes masonry a popular choice for galleries, museums, lobbies, schools, hospitals, retail spaces, and historic buildings where walls were never designed for repeated nail holes.
What you need to install on masonry
The standard pre drilled hole pattern on AS Hanging tracks works on concrete and brick, but you will swap the included drywall anchors for masonry rated fasteners. Most installers prepare the following:
- A hammer drill or rotary hammer for clean, accurate holes
- Masonry drill bits sized to match your chosen anchors
- Concrete screws, plastic masonry plugs with screws, or sleeve anchors rated for the load
- A level, pencil, vacuum or brush to clear dust from each hole, and standard safety gear
For most residential and light commercial loads, quality masonry plugs paired with the correct screw length are sufficient. For heavier artwork, long track runs, or institutional installations, concrete screws or sleeve anchors give you a stronger, more predictable hold. If you are not sure which anchor class fits your project, our team can advise based on track type and total load.
Drilling into brick versus concrete
Brick is generally softer than poured concrete, but mortar joints are weaker than the bricks themselves. Whenever possible, drill into the brick face rather than into a mortar line, since the brick gives a much more reliable grip. Concrete walls are very consistent, but you may occasionally hit aggregate or rebar. If the bit stalls, reposition slightly along the track and use the next pre drilled hole rather than forcing the bit through. Tile or stone facings over masonry can also be drilled successfully, provided you start with a tile bit and switch to a masonry bit once you reach the substrate behind it.
Choosing the right system for masonry walls
Almost every AS Hanging track family can be installed on concrete or brick, including wall mounted tracks, ceiling mounted tracks, and rail systems designed for heavier loads. If you are planning a permanent gallery style installation on masonry, our Casso display rails are a strong choice for clean lines and high capacity. For freestanding or partition based displays where drilling into masonry is not ideal, our tensioned cable systems can run between floor and ceiling without anchoring into the wall at all, which is a useful option for landmarked buildings, exposed brick that you do not want to disturb, or temporary exhibitions.
Practical tips for a clean install
- Mark your line with a level before drilling, since concrete and brick do not forgive misplaced holes
- Drill slightly deeper than the anchor length to clear debris and ensure full seating
- Vacuum or blow out the holes before inserting plugs so they sit flush
- Tighten screws firmly without overdriving, particularly in older or softer brick
- For heavy or wide artwork, distribute load across two vertical supports rather than relying on a single cable or rod
Planning a track installation on concrete, brick, or another masonry surface and want help choosing anchors, components, and capacity? Call AS Hanging at 866 935 6949, start an online chat, or send your project details through our Contact Us form, and a specialist will help you put together the right setup.