Will a stud finder work through tile?

Tile isn’t secured by metal fasteners, but its cement board substrate often is. Magnetic stud finders are highly effective at finding studs behind drywall but far less effective at finding anything under the many layers of tile and tile substrate. You may be able to detect a fastener if you are patient and slow.

Do stud finders work on lath and plaster?

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. First, wood laths, narrow strips of wood, are nailed horizontally across vertical wall studs.

Can you tile on lath and plaster?

Both painted and bare plaster allows for the installation of tile. Don’t try to use the tile setting adhesive or drywall joint compound to patch plaster walls. Fresh plaster, whether applied as a patch or to the entire wall, must dry completely before tile is applied.

Are stud finders any good?

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the majority of stud finders I tested were accurate and dependable. The ones that weren’t didn’t make this list. The following stud finders detect anything from steel fasteners to live wires and pipes. Some even detect double-stud construction.

How do you hang something heavy on a plaster and lath wall?

Screws (and screws with masonry anchors for heavy items) are your best choice for hanging things on plaster walls without picture rail. For lighter items, simply screwing into the plaster with a 1 1/4” drywall screw is usually enough to get the job done.

Should I replace lath and plaster with drywall?

Since plaster is considered a higher quality material than drywall anyway, it should not be replaced with drywall in most situations. The one exception is if you’re pulling down the walls to replace the plumbing and electrical systems anyway.

How far apart are studs in lath and plaster walls?

They’re always spaced either 16 or 24 inches on-center (measured from center to center) along the wall and run between the floor and ceiling. Drywall or lath (for plaster walls) attaches to the edge of the studs.

Can you tile directly on plaster?

Tiling onto plaster is relatively straightforward. When you place tiles directly onto plasterboard, this often means you don’t have to prepare or prime the plasterboard prior to doing it. If the backing is strong enough to support the weight of tiles, tiling can be performed on numerous clean, even and dry surfaces.

Will tile adhesive stick to plaster?

Where the tiles are porcelain, natural stone or larger ceramics, a cement-based adhesive should be used – as a ready-mixed adhesive will not set with non-porous or larger tile types. Again, make sure you prime if the plaster is shiny or polished.

Can you find studs in lath and 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’s the best way to find studs in tile?

Finding studs behind tile can be tricky due to the thick and sensitive nature of the surface. The best stud finder for tile walls, which we explore in this article, will minimize the risk of damage and make work light. Tile walls are notoriously tougher than drywall and plaster alternatives when it comes to finding studs.

Is there a way to find the studs on a wall?

If you know a bit about wall construction and the set up of your surface, you may be able to locate studs without a stud finder. Wall studs will generally be spaced 16 inches on-center, which points to the distance between the center of one stud and its adjacent number.

How big are the studs in a plaster wall?

Most houses built in the last 100 years were framed 16″ O.C. (on center) and some were framed 24″ O.C. although many old houses may have unusual stud spacing so this method may not work for everyone.