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Weird layer of 'something' behind plasterboard?
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 |
Weird layer of 'something' behind plasterboard?
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. http://www.british-gypsum.com/products/Gyproc-FireLine -- Tony Bryer, Greentram: 'Software to build on', Melbourne, Australia www.greentram.com |
Weird layer of 'something' behind plasterboard?
What secures the sockets in though?
Brian -- From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active "DaveyWavey" wrote in message ... 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 |
Weird layer of 'something' behind plasterboard?
On Jun 12, 12:14*am, 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 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 Modern flats have sound/fireproof walls. 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. |
Weird layer of 'something' behind plasterboard?
On 12/06/2013 08:57, harry wrote:
On Jun 12, 12:14 am, 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 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 Modern flats have sound/fireproof walls. 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. 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. |
Weird layer of 'something' behind plasterboard?
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 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? 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. NT |
Weird layer of 'something' behind plasterboard?
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 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) plasterboard adhesive, or 'drywall' as it's often known d) behind that, there appears to be a gap/cavity the adhesive is usually in dabs, and there will be gaps around the dabs, 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. It's a drylined block wall, so use plugs and screws |
Weird layer of 'something' behind plasterboard?
On 12/06/2013 19:29, Phil L wrote:
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 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) plasterboard adhesive, or 'drywall' as it's often known d) behind that, there appears to be a gap/cavity the adhesive is usually in dabs, and there will be gaps around the dabs, 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. It's a drylined block wall, so use plugs and screws Having drilled into it 8 times this afternoon, and fixed my shelves, I 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. |
Weird layer of 'something' behind plasterboard?
DaveyWavey wrote:
On 12/06/2013 19:29, Phil L wrote: 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 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) plasterboard adhesive, or 'drywall' as it's often known d) behind that, there appears to be a gap/cavity the adhesive is usually in dabs, and there will be gaps around the dabs, 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. It's a drylined block wall, so use plugs and screws Having drilled into it 8 times this afternoon, and fixed my shelves, I 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. How deep was the cavity? -- Adam |
Weird layer of 'something' behind plasterboard?
On Jun 13, 6:30*pm, "ARW" wrote:
DaveyWavey wrote: On 12/06/2013 19:29, Phil L wrote: 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 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) plasterboard adhesive, or 'drywall' as it's often known d) behind that, there appears to be a gap/cavity the adhesive is usually in dabs, and there will be gaps around the dabs, 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. It's a drylined block wall, so use plugs and screws Having drilled into it 8 times this afternoon, and fixed my shelves, I 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. How deep was the cavity? -- Adam ..... & is there a fit bird living in the flat next door? ........... Jim K |
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