How can I find the studs in a wall to mount shelves?

Al
by Al

Want to add shelves on a wall but don’t want to make unnecessary holes for brackets. From past experience with this old house I know that the studs are not consistently spaced! So I need to find each stud in the wall.

Thanks for the help!


  6 answers
  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Feb 05, 2018

    Hardware stores have stud finders but stubs are 16" apart so we just knock on wall with our knuckles to hear the difference in sheet rock and knocking on sheet rock with stud behind it. Hope that makes sense to you!

  • William William on Feb 05, 2018

    In a lot of older homes studs were not consistently 16" or 24" on center. They didn't have building codes, rules, or regulations back then. Investing in a stud finder would be easiest. Using the knuckle of you middle finger, tapping on the wall,and listening for a solid sound sometimes works. may not work on plaster and lath. If you don't hit or can't locate a stud use drill in anchors or toggle bolts.

  • Snowrabt Snowrabt on Feb 05, 2018

    Hardware stores sell a tool to find the studs in walls easily. My husband is an electrician, and he is never without one.

  • Shoshana Shoshana on Feb 06, 2018

    I would definitely invest in a stud finder, you won't regret it

  • 2dogal 2dogal on Feb 06, 2018

    Buy an inexpensive stud finder!

  • Jeremy Robinson Jeremy Robinson on Feb 07, 2018

    Use a magnetic stud finder, available at most DIY stores.