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

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

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

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.

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.

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

On 12/06/2013 14:03, wrote:
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


It certainly is drillable, as it turns out.

I've ended up using thermal block screws (like these:
http://www.fixingswarehouse.co.uk/pl...10-1890-p.asp).
Seems to hold pretty firm.

I'll let you know if the shelves fall down.

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

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.

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

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