Look at any house, and you’ll see how much it’s changed throughout the years. Windows have become more energy efficient. Exterior siding has gone from wood to synthetic to vinyl.
One of the important steps in any home improvement project is finding the studs in your walls. Attaching your siding to studs will make your home sturdier and more secure.
To find studs through vinyl siding, you will need a stud finder for studs and a metal detector for metal.
The stud finder will locate wood studs, while the metal detector will locate metal studs.
The siding is screwed and nailed to studs.
Studs are structural members used in homes that are made from wood or metal.
From what I’ve seen, they are typically installed vertically and are used to support the roof and walls of a house. Studs are typically installed with nails or screws into the framing members.
In addition, studs are installed in the framing members to support the weight of the roof, walls and the rest of the house.
Methods of determining where the studs are located in vinyl siding
Determining where the studs are located in the home’s vinyl siding is essential for a number of home improvement projects.
For me, finding and marking studs can be useful for more than hanging pictures and shelves: Knowing where the studs are can help you avoid accidentally drilling holes into a hollow wall when installing light fixtures or other wall-mounted fixtures, or maybe it can help you avoid accidentally drilling through a wall while installing a new window.
This is also helpful when putting up sheets of drywall, as you want to make sure that each panel is securely fastened.
There are a few different methods you can use to locate the studs on your home’s exterior walls, and you should use the method that works best for your situation, your home and your budget.
Below are the best ways to find the studs that I think will work for you.
1. Use a tap-test
While stud finding is not a difficult task, it does take some effort and a little practice.
The best method for finding the studs in your house is the tap-test method.
To use a tap-test, you will need a wooden / plastic hammer or just knock with a tape measure, and to be close to the studs you want to find.
Start at the top of the wall where you know there is a stud.
Tap the end of the tape measure (or hammer) lightly on your siding.
Tap it at each end of the wall, and at every 16 in. or so, until you hear a hollow echo in one spot.
That means you’re in between the studs.
If you hear a solid sound, you’re tapping on the stud.
This will indicate that the tape measure (or hammer) you’re using is hitting a stud.
To find the center of the stud, measure the distance between the point you hear a high pitched sound from the first one you hit.
2. Use a stud finder device
Finding studs in a house that has vinyl siding can be a difficult job, but there are effective methods of determining where the studs are located. One is to use a stud finder.
A stud finder, which can either be handheld or a laser that is attached to the included tripod. The best option for you will depend on your budget and your patience.
Stud finders are more expensive, but require little effort and time. A laser stud finder and sensor will cost between $30 and $90, and you can use it to find studs back to a distance of 1.5 inch.
Stud finders work by emitting an electromagnetic pulse that causes metal (a nail in the stud) to vibrate, hitting studs with a pulse can give you a good idea of where the studs are.
They’re also pretty clever to use: just aim and shoot the stud finder at the vinyl siding and watch for the tell-tale sound of a stud hitting the sensor.
Some stud finders can also detect loose wires, pipes and other objects that are concealed in walls.
3. Use a piece of chalk
In this technique, you will use a piece of chalk to find the wall studs in the vinyl siding, in addition to the methods discussed above.
This will ensure that you measure the correct distance from the wall and that the spacing between the studs is accurate if they are distributed equally. You can purchase chalk in varying colors and if you can’t find the color you need, you can purchase chalkboard markers and use the markers to mark the studs.
This is a great trick to find the location of your house’s studs when installing new vinyl siding.
Use a piece of chalk to draw a vertical line from the bottom of the siding to the bottom of the house top of the studs you found already.
Next, find another stud and mark its location.
Then, another draw a horizontal line at the top of the siding along this stud to see if you also have a horizontal stud.
Where the two lines intersect is also where to find your other stud!
While the size and placement of studs varies from house to house, most homes have studs roughly every 16 inches on center.
The result is a quick and easy way to find the location of the studs for siding installation.
4. Use a magnet
If you’re looking to install a new vinyl siding on your home’s exterior, knowing where the studs are located is important.
This is because drywall screws will need to be attached to the studs, not the siding.
Not knowing where the studs are located can result in a botched installation.
So, how can you determine where the studs are located?
Another simple trick is to use a magnet.
This is because most studs are made of wood (with nails) or metal, both of which are attracted to magnets.
Once the magnet is attached to the siding, it will stick directly to the stud, thereby revealing its location.
Consider looking up for studs before installations
Sometimes homeowners need to have their vinyl siding replaced.
When they do, the first thing they need to do is find the location of the studs.
It makes sense because anyone – you and I included – installed the vinyl siding by fastening it to the studs in the first place.
And then, if you want to save yourself some aggravation in the future, knowing where the studs are located will make the work of removing the siding a lot easier.
Similarly,when installing or replacing built-in cupboards or shelving, it is very important to know where the studs are located.
This is so that you can place your shelves or cabinets in the right spot so that they are not resting on the framing in the wall.
It is also important to know where the studs are located so that if you are adding shelves or cabinets, you can ensure that they are not blocking any fire-stops.
Stud finders are excellent for this job.
They work by sending an electronic signal through the wall and listening for a sound that indicates the wall is hollow and therefore holds no stud.
Another way to check for studs is to tap on the vinyl siding and listen for the sound.
If you hear a sound that is hollow, this means there are no studs behind the siding. But, if you hear a solid sound, this means there are studs behind the siding and the wall will be firm and sturdy.
