If you hit something solid after you are through the surface material, move three or four inches to the side and try again. If it is still solid, you probably have some form of masonry. If it is hollow, you probably have a stud structure (wood or steel).

How do I know what type of wall?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So drywall has a very very hollow sound sound something like this. Very Airy hollow sound brick wall again has a very dense. Hard sound something like. This.

How do you tell if walls are plaster or drywall?





Take a pushpin and press it on the wall using your thumb. If the pin pokes into the wall easily, that’s drywall. If it doesn’t, then that’s plaster. A pushpin can penetrate drywalls easily because they’re softer compared to plaster.

How do I know if I have wood or drywall?

Look around for uniform, rectangle sheets with brown paper backing. If you find this, then you have drywall. But if you find thin strips of wood instead, with hardened white material driven into the gaps between the wood strips, it’s a plaster wall.

How do I know where the studs are in my wall?

Here’s how to find a stud in the wall quickly and easily, with or without a stud finder:

  1. Locate the nearest light switch or power outlet. …
  2. Look for dimples in the wall. …
  3. Use windows as a guide. …
  4. Tap the wall. …
  5. Drill a hole. …
  6. Fish around with a wire hanger. …
  7. Try a stud finder app. …
  8. Or just use a stud finder!


How do you tell what is behind drywall?





A stud finder is a convenient hand-held tool that makes locating studs hidden behind drywall a quick and easy task.” To find a stud, simply power on your device and move it horizontally until it indicates a stud. Mark the stud location in pencil, and keep moving along the wall to find more studs (if necessary).

What are my interior walls made of?

Two of the most common forms of interior wall materials are plaster and drywall. Plaster has been used since ancient times. The earliest plaster was usually made of lime, sand, animal hair and water [source: MacDonald].

How can you tell if a wall is load bearing?

Step 1: Determine Whether a Wall Is Load-Bearing or Not

  1. Check an unfinished basement or attic to see which way the joists run.
  2. If the wall runs parallel to the joists, it’s probably not load-bearing.
  3. If it’s perpendicular, it most likely is a load-bearing wall.


What is the difference between sheetrock and drywall?



Drywall is a flat panel made of gypsum plaster sandwiched in between two sheets of thick paper. It adheres to metal or wood studs using nails or screws. Sheetrock is a specific brand of drywall sheet. These terms are often used interchangeably.

How much weight can drywall hold?

Thin drywall will hold 1.2 to 1.6 pounds per square foot without some type of support. Thicker drywall will hold 1.5-2.1 pounds per square foot without additional support. Shear and tension affect the weight supported.

Can I use my phone as a stud finder?

Stud finder app for iOS and Android brings the simplicity and effectiveness of a real stud detector tool to your iPhone or Android device. The app uses your device’s compass (magnetometer sensor) to pinpoint metal studs, nails, and screws embedded in all wood wall studs.

Do I need to find a stud to hang a shelf?



Determine the Placement



For denser shelving or heavier display or storage items, you can use a stud finder to see if there’s stud in the area you want to hang the shelf. Wall studs offer additional support, but if there are none available, you can also use drywall anchors.

How do you find wood behind drywall?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Into a stud finder as it vibrates the louder. Sound let you know which spots inside the wall are the most hollow. While the softer sounding the case that you're likely on top of a stud. Or.

Can I use my iPhone as a stud finder?

First, no iPhone app can locate 2x4s because phone hardware generally doesn’t include an electromagnetic density sensor to find wooden studs.

How do you find wood behind drywall without a stud finder?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So my first go-to technique for finding studs without a stud finder is to use receptacles. And switches to locate the studs. Most receptacle. And switch boxes are mounted to the side of a stud.

Why is there plywood behind drywall?



It’s laterally structural to support the building’s side-to-side forces. Penetrations in your shear wall must adhere to different restrictions than other walls and you may need to consult an engineer to verify.

Can you put drywall directly over plywood?

Yes you can drywall over plywood, mark on floor were all studs are and try to screw into studs. Drywall can butt trim and be flat taped in ,and fine bead of caulking.

Can I put up plywood instead of drywall?

You can use plywood instead of drywall for walls and ceilings. Plywood weighs less, and it’s also stronger and more damage-resistant than drywall. Construction-grade plywood is more expensive, though, and it might not meet local building codes as it isn’t as soundproof or fireproof as drywall.

Does plywood go under drywall?

Install the plywood sheets to the wall or ceiling, just as you would do if all you were installing were the plywood. Then, install the drywall over the plywood, as if you were installing it over studs, without the plywood there.

What can I use instead of drywall?



Drywall Alternatives

  • Wood Planks. Wood planks are an age-old drywall alternative that has certainly stood the test of time well. …
  • Veneer Plaster. …
  • Lath & Plaster. …
  • Plywood and Sheet Wood. …
  • Texture Wall Panels. …
  • Brick & Masonry. …
  • Exposed Concrete Block. …
  • Cement Board.

Why do we use drywall instead of wood?

Drywall is more fire resistant than plywood – Often people are worried about the fire resistance in their home. This is why drywall is chosen. Drywall is much better than plywood when it comes to being fire resistant as it does not burn as fast or catch on fire as easily.