Hang an egg chair from a concrete ceiling

Fit a heavy-duty chemical anchor into solid concrete, then hang and load-test your egg chair safely.

EC-01Confirm your ceiling is solid concreteTap the ceiling — solid concrete sounds dead and dull, with no hollow echo, unlike plasterboard on timber or metal joists which sounds hollow and springy. If your ceiling flexes or sounds hollow, stop: this guide is for solid concrete only, and a joisted ceiling needs a completely different fixing rated for a swinging load. If you're not sure, drill a small 5mm test hole in an unseen spot — concrete brings out grey dust and drills slowly and evenly, while timber brings out pale wood shavings.

1 each · 5mm masonry drill bit

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EC-02Check for cables and pipes before drillingCables can run inside a concrete ceiling, especially near light fittings, and a cheap detector can miss deep or metal-clad wiring — always assume something might be there. Before you drill, find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns freely, so you can shut the water off fast if you hit a pipe. If there's any doubt, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before drilling. Pick a fixing point away from light fittings and, where possible, at least 500mm from walls or visible services.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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EC-03Choose a fixing rated for the full swinging loadAn egg chair with someone sitting and swinging can put well over 150kg of dynamic force through one point, so use a chemical (resin) anchor with a stainless threaded rod — not a plain expanding sleeve anchor. Buy a kit rated to at least 200kg working load, with an M12 threaded rod embedded at least 160mm into the concrete. Also buy a heavy-duty ceiling hook or eye bolt rated for the same load.

1 each · Chemical anchor resin cartridge

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1 each · M12 stainless threaded rod, 160mm

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1 each · Heavy-duty ceiling hook (200kg rated)

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EC-04Drill the fixing holeMark your point and drill with an SDS drill fitted with a 12mm masonry bit (or the size stated on your anchor kit), to the depth given on the resin pack — typically 90-100mm into solid concrete. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask, and keep the drill perpendicular to the ceiling so the hole runs straight.

1 each · SDS drill

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1 each · 12mm SDS masonry bit

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1 each · Dust mask

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1 each · Safety glasses

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EC-05Clean out the holeBlow or brush out all dust with a hole-cleaning brush and a puffer — leftover dust weakens the resin's grip badly. Brush, then blow, then brush again, until no more dust comes out.

1 each · Hole cleaning brush

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1 each · Pump puffer

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EC-06Inject the resin and fit the rodUsing the applicator gun, inject resin from the back of the hole forwards, filling it about two-thirds full so it doesn't overflow when you push the rod in. Insert the threaded rod with a slight twisting motion and leave it undisturbed. Cure times vary by product and temperature — usually 20-60 minutes, longer below 5°C — so check the pack before touching or loading it.

1 each · Resin applicator gun

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EC-07Fit the ceiling hook once curedOnce fully cured, screw the rated ceiling hook or eye bolt onto the threaded rod. Tighten it fully by hand, then finish with a spanner. Check it sits flush against the ceiling with no wobble.

1 each · Adjustable spanner

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EC-08Load-test the fixing before hanging the chairHang a heavy weight roughly matching an adult's weight from the hook, or lean your full body weight on it with your feet on the floor, for a few minutes. Watch for movement, cracking, or dust falling from the fixing. Only hang the chair once you're confident nothing has shifted at all.

EC-09Hang the chair and check clearanceAttach the chair's chain or rope to the hook following the manufacturer's instructions. Check it swings freely without hitting walls, furniture, or people — allow at least 600mm clearance on each side. Sit down gently at first and check the fixing again before swinging normally.

EC-10Tidy up and recheck over timeSweep up all dust and offcuts and wipe down the area. Check the fixing for tightness every few months, especially after heavy use, and re-tighten or reseat it if anything feels loose.

1 each · Dust sheet

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