Finding Studs Under Siding

Remove the cover plate.

Finding studs under siding.

Locate the switches and outlets which indicate a stud. Turn power off to the room. If i don t have any luck. The better way is to locate the edges of the osb sheathing.

Draw a mark at the exact location where the stud finder locates a stud. You will also find studs. Studs are generally spaced between 16 24 on center which means from the middle of one stud to the middle of one next to it 16 is the most common dimension though. To the best of my knowledge we won t see a stud by lifting siding unless the house was built about 1925.

If you have gaps around the outlet box use a long nail or knife blade to locate the stud on either side of the box. Using a window as a location guide use a stud finder on the inside to locate a stud or two and transfer that to the outside. Walk very slowly along the exterior siding while holding the stud finder. Remove the section of siding at the elevation you plan on mounting the awning at.

This is not always the case depending on the installer. Sadly you can t always rely on the nails holding any type of siding to indicate where the studs are but if it s vinyl over plywood the plywood nails should be a good guide. How to find exterior wall studs standard wall construction. Keeping these points in mind here are the ways i ve been most successful at finding studs.

Then you can check for studs however you like drilling test holes etc. If that s true and i wanted to hit a stud close to dead center i d probably make myself about a 6 long 3 32 diameter drill bit locate a stud from inside and bore a hole from inside out next to the stud. In theory the siding should be nailed at the studs. Measure 16 and mark additional stud locations.

Builders use an outside corner as a reference point when framing walls so you might. The edges must be nailed into a stud. Exterior wall studs measurements. Place the stud finder at the edge of the exterior siding.

Don t have a stud finder. Locate an outlet on the wall. A little light will go off or the finder will make a beeping noise when it finds a stud.