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Finding wooden beams in plasterboard wall

Anonymous user 23 February 2024 - 3.10 PM

Hello, I want to put up book shelves (solid wood, 2cm thickness) on an internal wall in the attic conversion bedroom. The wall isn't solid but I assume there are wooden beams in there. I have tried using a magnetic stud finder but it didn't find anything. I have also tried using a Bosch digital multi-detector but that didn't work either. Any ideas? Is it possible there just aren't any wooden beams??

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3 Answers

Anonymous user

Hi. if no luck with detector I find the best method is to knock gently. The less echo suggests close to a stud. You can then use a very small screw driver to push through (make sure not above a light switch though!). You will know when you are on a beam. Alternatively buy a pack of butterfly bolts which can get a wide grip on the inside of the plasterboard. Obviously you need to ensure the head end is the correct size for the bookshelf. Hope this helps.
Answered29 June 2017
3

A.S Electrics
Rating: 5 out of 555159 reviews
Slough
You can try and use magnets to determine the location of the studs. The plasterboard would have been nailed or screwed to the studs. The magnets will detect this. I wouldn't use more than medium strength ones though.
Answered4 July 2017
2

South Hams Interiors
Rating: 5 out of 55521 reviews
Clydebank
You can try getting a 2 mm drill and drill a line of holes every 30mm across the wall through the plaster board until you feel like you are drilling into a vertical wooden stud. The next stud should be 400mm from this one. You must however be sure there are no pipes or electrical wires behind the plasterboard where you make you line of holes. You can fill the holes and paint over them.
Answered1 July 2017
1