How to Locate Exterior Wall Studs

Locating wall studs is necessary for any project where heavy objects will be hung from a wall. This is especially the case for outdoor projects that will hang anything from an exterior wall. Installing from the stud will prevent wall cracking or crumbling. Outdoor construction or building projects must utilize the studs to retain strength in the design.

Things You'll Need

• Electronic stud finder
• Magnetic stud finder
• Finishing nails
• Wire
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Use an electronic stud finder that measures the density in the wall and flashes a light or makes a sound when a dense area in the wall is passed over, pinpointing the stud. Pass the device over both sides of the stud and mark the estimated edges with a pencil. This is the simplest and most reliable method for finding a stud (see references 1 and 2).

2. Run a magnetic stud finder over the wall. This works by detecting metal in the walls, such as screws or nails that may be holding the wall to the stud, or will detect a metal stud. This method is inexpensive, but it may detect metal that has nothing to do with the stud, such as random nails or pipes (see references 1 and 2).

3. Tap the walls and listen for a solid sound or a hollow sound if there is no access to an electronic or magnetic stud finder. Once and area of solid sound is found, drive a few small finishing test nails into the wall to double-check that the stud has been located (see Reference 1).

4. Insert a small piece of wire into the hole and move it around if step 3 does not work to find the stud. The stud has been found if the wire is obstructed on the left or right side (see reference 1 and 2).

5. Measure 16 to 24 inches from the place where the first stud was located to find the next stud (see reference 1 and 2).

References

• Lowe's
• Corner Hardware