Asked on Sep 08, 2016
Does anyone know how to find the framing behind aluminum siding?
+4
I need to find the studs to I have a place to securely attach some screws.
7 answers
-
I found these answers on a different site: ----Use a metal detector to find the nails in the studs ----If you get dew on the house in the morning, a lot of the time, you can see exactly where the studs are when there is dew on the siding, and it is just starting to evaporate- it usually evaporates off the studs first since they are a bit warmer. The heat transfer through the studs makes them show up pretty well in our climate. ----This would be pretty easy: you might be able to locate the studs on the inside of the wall using a stud finder, and then using the center of a window as a reference point, measure how far over the studs is. Then go on the outside, hold your tape measure in the exact same place (center of the window) and transfer your stud locations onto the siding.
![Angel12824]()
Angel12824
on Sep 08, 2016
-
Yup, magnetic stud finder. From the outside wall, studs should be on 16" centers, that is a good place to start.
![1240839]()
1240839
on Sep 08, 2016
-
Using a stud finder on the outside is hit or miss. Too many layers will give you a false reading. Insulation, sheathing, vapor barrier. You may detect a nail in the sheathing and it won't be a stud. Best way is from the inside. 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. Don't have a stud finder?! Locate an outlet on the wall. Turn power off to the room. Remove the cover plate. 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. The box is attached to a stud on one side. If there are no gaps, use a long thin nail and nail it about 1/2" from the edge of the box on each side into the wall. You should feel when it goes into the stud. Mark when you hit the stud and transfer that to the outside. The cover plate should cover the nail holes.
![William]()
William
on Sep 08, 2016
-
William's ideas are sound. As to Rebecca's 16" centers; codes change and some older homes may have a larger gap in studs. Check multiple spots before going with the final placement. Inspectors haven't always been sticklers on measuring the placement.
![Deanna Nassar]()
Deanna Nassar
on Sep 09, 2016
-
It depends what you want to hang on the stud but I found some Command picture hangers that I used to put a painting up on the side of our house. I used four in the corners and the picture has hung strong through rain and wind. Will take down later in fall.
![Lly7217931]()
Lly7217931
on Sep 09, 2016
-
They also make hangers for on siding so you don't have to put holes in. They just slip up under.
![Ann]()
Ann
on Sep 09, 2016
-
I bought these hooks at Menard's in the USA and Home Hardware in Canada....
![Marianne Niesink]()
Marianne Niesink
on Sep 17, 2016
![]()
Angel12824
on Sep 08, 2016
1240839
on Sep 08, 2016
William
on Sep 08, 2016
Deanna Nassar
on Sep 09, 2016
Sign Up to Answer
Suggested Project Book
