Do stud finders work through plaster?

Do stud finders work through plaster?

To function properly, the wall surface must have a consistent density level, and be less dense than the wood stud. Stud finders, however, will not always return accurate results with lath and plaster walls because of the very inconsistent method by which they are constructed.

What is the most common spacing for wall studs?

16 inches
Before starting, there are a few things you need to know about walls: Typical stud spacing is 16 inches on center and even on older houses is rarely more than 24 inches on center; the majority of electrical boxes for switches and outlets are attached to a stud on one side; studs are on either side of a window; most …

Do all plaster walls have studs?

It’s pretty simple to find a stud in common drywall. Plaster can be too thick or dense to find a stud with stud finders, which is probably why you’re finding that these don’t work. And if the lath is a metal wire type, instead of older wood lath, a stud finder will produce false readings.

What is normal stud spacing?

The general spacing for wall studs is 16 inches on center, but they can be 24 inches. At my home, the exterior wall studs are spaced at 24-inch centers, but the interior walls are 16 inches on center.

Are plaster walls better than drywall?

For one thing, plaster is by nature a more durable finish than drywall, even high-level drywall finishes. In addition, plaster outperforms drywall in a number of key areas, including insulation, soundproofing, and fireproofing.

Can you wall mount a TV on a plaster wall?

Plaster is a very durable way to cover walls, but its strength is also a downside when you’re hanging things around your home. A heavy object like a TV has to be anchored to the wood support beams inside the wall. You will also need weight-rated anchors like toggle bolts to fasten a TV mount to the wall.

Can you mount a TV on lath and plaster?

Mark the location of each stud so you can use them to mount the TV. Finding the studs can be a little tricky since plaster tends to have horizontal supports called lath as well. The lath will be nailed to the studs, so you can detect the metal nails to pinpoint the location of the studs.

Where are the studs on a plaster wall?

Plaster walls have nailing strips of slim wood lath, spaced ¼” apart, horizontally along the vertical studs Only the sturdier, thicker wood studs beneath the considerably light, thin plaster layer can endure weighed down plasma TV, electronics and shelves Timber studs lie vertically with a spacing of 450mm or 600mm away.

What was the spacing between wall studs in old houses?

Stud spacing in old houses was not as crucial because the walls were often covered in lath and plaster, so the framing didn’t have to conform to a 4-by-8-foot panel. Today, stud placement is strictly governed by building codes, based on what the walls are supporting.

Can a stud finder work on lath and plaster?

Because standard stud finders detect a change in density inside the wall, they don’t work on lath and plaster – the density inside these walls is not constant enough. If you have just moved into an older home and your stud finder isn’t doing its job, invest in a metal scanner instead.

Can a TV be hung on a plaster wall?

Most smaller items can be hung pretty securely anywhere on the wall by screwing into the wood lath, but for heavy things that weight more than 10-15 lbs, like large mirrors and TVs, you’ll need to learn how to find studs in a plaster wall. Don’t waste your money on that stud finder.