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Weird layer of 'something' behind plasterboard?
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DaveyWavey
Jun 11, 2013, 7:14:04 PM6/11/13
to
Hi,
Please excuse the newbie question, but I've spent about two hours
Googling for an answer to this, and I'm none the wiser...
I'm trying to fix some shelves to my kitchen wall. Should be simple?
Possibly not -- I can't for the life of me figure out the wall construction.
My property is a flat, in the UK, built somewhere around 2000. Most of
the interior walls in the flat are stud walls (plasterboard over metal
studs, as far as I can tell). But the kitchen wall, whilst interior in
terms of the building itself, forms a separating wall between my flat
and my neighbour's flat. And this wall appears to have a different
construction.
I initially assumed it would be a plasterboard stud wall, the same as
the rest. But I got nowhere fast when trying to drive a plasterboard
screw into it -- it went about 1/2in, then hit something hard, and would
go in no further (and made a bit of a mess of the wall).
I investigated the wall's construction by taking the cover off a power
outlet in that wall and having a look. From what I can tell, the wall is
constructed of:
a) a thin layer of what I assume must be plaster
b) behind that, a 1/2in layer of something that resembles plasterboard
(and is soft enough to screw into easily enough)
c) behind that, a 1/2in layer of something that *looks* the same as the
plasterboard, but is much harder (and cannot easily be screwed into)
d) behind that, there appears to be a gap/cavity
So, what I can't work out is: what the hell is layer (c)? And, more
importantly, what sort of fixings can/should I use to fix shelves to
this wall?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Dave
Please excuse the newbie question, but I've spent about two hours
Googling for an answer to this, and I'm none the wiser...
I'm trying to fix some shelves to my kitchen wall. Should be simple?
Possibly not -- I can't for the life of me figure out the wall construction.
My property is a flat, in the UK, built somewhere around 2000. Most of
the interior walls in the flat are stud walls (plasterboard over metal
studs, as far as I can tell). But the kitchen wall, whilst interior in
terms of the building itself, forms a separating wall between my flat
and my neighbour's flat. And this wall appears to have a different
construction.
I initially assumed it would be a plasterboard stud wall, the same as
the rest. But I got nowhere fast when trying to drive a plasterboard
screw into it -- it went about 1/2in, then hit something hard, and would
go in no further (and made a bit of a mess of the wall).
I investigated the wall's construction by taking the cover off a power
outlet in that wall and having a look. From what I can tell, the wall is
constructed of:
a) a thin layer of what I assume must be plaster
b) behind that, a 1/2in layer of something that resembles plasterboard
(and is soft enough to screw into easily enough)
c) behind that, a 1/2in layer of something that *looks* the same as the
plasterboard, but is much harder (and cannot easily be screwed into)
d) behind that, there appears to be a gap/cavity
So, what I can't work out is: what the hell is layer (c)? And, more
importantly, what sort of fixings can/should I use to fix shelves to
this wall?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Dave
Tony Bryer
Jun 11, 2013, 8:11:30 PM6/11/13
to
On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:14:04 +0100 DaveyWavey wrote :
> I initially assumed it would be a plasterboard stud wall, the same as
> the rest. But I got nowhere fast when trying to drive a plasterboard
> screw into it -- it went about 1/2in, then hit something hard, and would
> go in no further (and made a bit of a mess of the wall).
>
> I investigated the wall's construction by taking the cover off a power
> outlet in that wall and having a look. From what I can tell, the wall is
> constructed of:
>
> a) a thin layer of what I assume must be plaster
> b) behind that, a 1/2in layer of something that resembles plasterboard
> (and is soft enough to screw into easily enough)
> c) behind that, a 1/2in layer of something that *looks* the same as the
> plasterboard, but is much harder (and cannot easily be screwed into)
> d) behind that, there appears to be a gap/cavity
>
> So, what I can't work out is: what the hell is layer (c)? And, more
> importantly, what sort of fixings can/should I use to fix shelves to
> this wall?
Gyproc Fireline board? Never seen the actual product though.
> I initially assumed it would be a plasterboard stud wall, the same as
> the rest. But I got nowhere fast when trying to drive a plasterboard
> screw into it -- it went about 1/2in, then hit something hard, and would
> go in no further (and made a bit of a mess of the wall).
>
> I investigated the wall's construction by taking the cover off a power
> outlet in that wall and having a look. From what I can tell, the wall is
> constructed of:
>
> a) a thin layer of what I assume must be plaster
> b) behind that, a 1/2in layer of something that resembles plasterboard
> (and is soft enough to screw into easily enough)
> c) behind that, a 1/2in layer of something that *looks* the same as the
> plasterboard, but is much harder (and cannot easily be screwed into)
> d) behind that, there appears to be a gap/cavity
>
> So, what I can't work out is: what the hell is layer (c)? And, more
> importantly, what sort of fixings can/should I use to fix shelves to
> this wall?
http://www.british-gypsum.com/products/Gyproc-FireLine
--
Tony Bryer, Greentram: 'Software to build on',
Melbourne, Australia www.greentram.com
Brian Gaff
Jun 12, 2013, 3:48:16 AM6/12/13
to
What secures the sockets in though?
Brian
--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"DaveyWavey" <Davey...@nospam.please> wrote in message
news:51b7af3d$0$23486$5b6a...@news.zen.co.uk...
Brian
--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"DaveyWavey" <Davey...@nospam.please> wrote in message
news:51b7af3d$0$23486$5b6a...@news.zen.co.uk...
harry
Jun 12, 2013, 3:57:45 AM6/12/13
to
Many are specialist material/construction to try to save weight.
See if you can drill a hole in the hard stuff and use some sort of
hollow fixing. (Eg toggle bolt) I wouldn't put anything heavy on your
shelf.
DaveyWavey
Jun 12, 2013, 5:52:27 AM6/12/13
to
I have used (or attempted to use) a variety of hollow fixings before in
the past, but I don't think any that I've seen before would handle the
depth of this double-layer of board.
I'm tempted to try to use some long masonry screws, assuming that the
'hard' board can grip them sufficiently well.
meow...@care2.com
Jun 12, 2013, 9:03:28 AM6/12/13
to
On Wednesday, June 12, 2013 10:52:27 AM UTC+1, DaveyWavey wrote:
> On 12/06/2013 08:57, harry wrote:
> > On Jun 12, 12:14 am, DaveyWavey <DaveyWa...@nospam.please> wrote:
> >> My property is a flat, in the UK, built somewhere around 2000. Most of
> On 12/06/2013 08:57, harry wrote:
> > On Jun 12, 12:14 am, DaveyWavey <DaveyWa...@nospam.please> wrote:
> >> My property is a flat, in the UK, built somewhere around 2000. Most of
> >> I initially assumed it would be a plasterboard stud wall, the same as
> >> the rest. But I got nowhere fast when trying to drive a plasterboard
> >> screw into it -- it went about 1/2in, then hit something hard, and would
> >> go in no further (and made a bit of a mess of the wall).
> >>
> >> I investigated the wall's construction by taking the cover off a power
> >> outlet in that wall and having a look. From what I can tell, the wall is
> >> constructed of:
> >>
> >> a) a thin layer of what I assume must be plaster
> >> b) behind that, a 1/2in layer of something that resembles plasterboard
> >> (and is soft enough to screw into easily enough)
> >> c) behind that, a 1/2in layer of something that *looks* the same as the
> >> plasterboard, but is much harder (and cannot easily be screwed into)
> >> d) behind that, there appears to be a gap/cavity
> >>
> >> So, what I can't work out is: what the hell is layer (c)? And, more
> >> importantly, what sort of fixings can/should I use to fix shelves to
> >> this wall?
> >> the rest. But I got nowhere fast when trying to drive a plasterboard
> >> screw into it -- it went about 1/2in, then hit something hard, and would
> >> go in no further (and made a bit of a mess of the wall).
> >>
> >> I investigated the wall's construction by taking the cover off a power
> >> outlet in that wall and having a look. From what I can tell, the wall is
> >> constructed of:
> >>
> >> a) a thin layer of what I assume must be plaster
> >> b) behind that, a 1/2in layer of something that resembles plasterboard
> >> (and is soft enough to screw into easily enough)
> >> c) behind that, a 1/2in layer of something that *looks* the same as the
> >> plasterboard, but is much harder (and cannot easily be screwed into)
> >> d) behind that, there appears to be a gap/cavity
> >>
> >> So, what I can't work out is: what the hell is layer (c)? And, more
> >> importantly, what sort of fixings can/should I use to fix shelves to
> >> this wall?
> Thanks for the advice.
> I have used (or attempted to use) a variety of hollow fixings before in
> the past, but I don't think any that I've seen before would handle the
> depth of this double-layer of board.
> I'm tempted to try to use some long masonry screws, assuming that the
> 'hard' board can grip them sufficiently well.
It might be a cement composition board. Whatever it is it has to be cuttable & drillable. A masonry bit would probably be needed. if its on a metal frame your wall might be very shallow.
> I have used (or attempted to use) a variety of hollow fixings before in
> the past, but I don't think any that I've seen before would handle the
> depth of this double-layer of board.
> I'm tempted to try to use some long masonry screws, assuming that the
> 'hard' board can grip them sufficiently well.
NT
DaveyWavey
Jun 12, 2013, 9:43:33 AM6/12/13
to
I've ended up using thermal block screws (like these:
http://www.fixingswarehouse.co.uk/plasplugs-thermal-block-fix-pk10-1890-p.asp).
Seems to hold pretty firm.
I'll let you know if the shelves fall down.
Phil L
Jun 12, 2013, 2:29:16 PM6/12/13
to
DaveyWavey wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Please excuse the newbie question, but I've spent about two hours
> Googling for an answer to this, and I'm none the wiser...
>
> I'm trying to fix some shelves to my kitchen wall. Should be simple?
> Possibly not -- I can't for the life of me figure out the wall
> construction.
> My property is a flat, in the UK, built somewhere around 2000. Most of
> the interior walls in the flat are stud walls (plasterboard over metal
> studs, as far as I can tell). But the kitchen wall, whilst interior in
> terms of the building itself, forms a separating wall between my flat
> and my neighbour's flat. And this wall appears to have a different
> construction.
>
> I initially assumed it would be a plasterboard stud wall, the same as
> the rest. But I got nowhere fast when trying to drive a plasterboard
> screw into it -- it went about 1/2in, then hit something hard, and
> would go in no further (and made a bit of a mess of the wall).
>
> I investigated the wall's construction by taking the cover off a power
> outlet in that wall and having a look. From what I can tell, the wall
> is constructed of:
>
> a) a thin layer of what I assume must be plaster
yes
> Hi,
>
> Please excuse the newbie question, but I've spent about two hours
> Googling for an answer to this, and I'm none the wiser...
>
> I'm trying to fix some shelves to my kitchen wall. Should be simple?
> Possibly not -- I can't for the life of me figure out the wall
> construction.
> My property is a flat, in the UK, built somewhere around 2000. Most of
> the interior walls in the flat are stud walls (plasterboard over metal
> studs, as far as I can tell). But the kitchen wall, whilst interior in
> terms of the building itself, forms a separating wall between my flat
> and my neighbour's flat. And this wall appears to have a different
> construction.
>
> I initially assumed it would be a plasterboard stud wall, the same as
> the rest. But I got nowhere fast when trying to drive a plasterboard
> screw into it -- it went about 1/2in, then hit something hard, and
> would go in no further (and made a bit of a mess of the wall).
>
> I investigated the wall's construction by taking the cover off a power
> outlet in that wall and having a look. From what I can tell, the wall
> is constructed of:
>
> a) a thin layer of what I assume must be plaster
> b) behind that, a 1/2in layer of something that resembles plasterboard
plasterboard
> (and is soft enough to screw into easily enough)
> c) behind that, a 1/2in layer of something that *looks* the same as
> the plasterboard, but is much harder (and cannot easily be screwed
> into)
> d) behind that, there appears to be a gap/cavity
>
that is, there can't be a cavity /behind/ the adhesive otherwise it's
floating in mid air
> So, what I can't work out is: what the hell is layer (c)? And, more
> importantly, what sort of fixings can/should I use to fix shelves to
> this wall?
>
> Any advice would be appreciated.
DaveyWavey
Jun 12, 2013, 7:33:22 PM6/12/13
to
can say with some confidence that this isn't a drylined block wall. It's
definitely two layers of plasterboard and something of the same
thickness (but harder), with a cavity behind.
Anyway, my approach of using thermal block screws seems to have done the
trick, so this is all academic now. Cheers though.
ARW
Jun 13, 2013, 1:30:33 PM6/13/13
to
--
Adam
Jim K
Jun 13, 2013, 1:40:23 PM6/13/13
to
Jim K
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