Typically, how far apart are the studs on an exterior wall?
Question:My house was built in '78. It's a garrision in New England, if that matters. I have a stud finder but I'm not so good at using it - it's kinda squirrely. There's a standard, isn't there?
Answers:
16" is supposed to be the standard. However, be aware that evil spirits move the studs around during the night. Sometimes they will move them while you're working on the wall.
I use a very good stud finder, my knuckles, and then I always prepare to drill five or six test holes 'til I come up with some wood.
Good luck...
16" apart.If You look at the Measuring Tape You will Find arrows @ 16" APART.
16 inches (typically)
You should find a stud every eitghteen inches center to center. Most of the stud finders have to be calibrated first in a no-studs area then hold the button down and move to your right or left slowly. Make a mark in the place where the signal is stronger. Repeat the procedure about ten inches past the first mark but move in the opposite direction and make mark when the signal is stronger. The two marks should be at least 1 1/2 inches apart, the stud is vertically (or up and down) in between those marks.
Typically, homes of that age are built with 16 and 24-inch "centers". That is, the distance from the center of one stud to the other.
16" on center. The easiest way to find the studs is to narrow in on one with a stud finder and then use a small nail to penetrate the sheet rock to find the edges of the stud, so you will know where the center is. The studs are typically 1-1/2" thick. The small holes can easily be filled later, or find a spot where the holes cannot be seen, such as behind the baseboard, or radiator. From here you should be able to measure 16" over to the next stud, and so forth. There are stud finders that cost about 30 dollars at Home Depot which are pretty accurate, and also can detect electrical wires. Good Luck!
16 inches on center is standard now. Sometimes you can find walls built on 24" centers and sometimes the builders didn't seen to be concerned with uniformity in old houses. I would think 16" in your home.
If your stud finder doesn't work (and they usually don't), you can sometimes find them by knocking on the wall as you work your way down it. Solid sounding on the stud and hollow sounding in between. This can be hard to do sometimes, especially if you have thick plaster.
The best way is to drill a small hole or so if you can hide/repair them. Pick a corner, measure out about 15" (this will allow for the drywall/plaster thickness on the adjoining wall), and drill a small hole. If you don't hit a stud, try nearby first then try from the opposite corner. The trick is to find one, then measure from that point in increments of 16 to where you want to be.
Normally they are 16". There is a great site you can visit for more exact and well written instructions.
http://www.jimsalmon.com/clinic.cfm?goge...
16 inches on center.
16 inches are the standard . However when we bought our house that was built in the early 70's and was doing some remodeling we found some that wasn't. I don't think the laws were as strick at that time.
16" centres are the norm but it could vary.
Your best bet is 16" center to center.
16" on center
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