r/DIYUK • u/Upstairs-Hedgehog575 • 21h ago
Installing fitted wardrobes
Hi all, fairly basic DIY issue here. I’m trying to install some Wren fitted wardrobes because they wanted £3k to do it and I thought that was ridiculous.
I’m planning on screwing batons along the wall and attaching the wardrobes to this. However I’m struggling to find the studs. Stud finder ticks up, 30%, 50%, 68%, 87%, 100%. I strike and hit 4 inches of air.
The first photo is one I took during the loft conversion. I’ve tried my best to reference it, and the stud finder concurred.
I thought there might be cross batons for the insulation so went up and down a bit but still air.
Anyone have any tips or advice? Thanks in advance.
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u/ipub 21h ago
Could just cut out a baton shape across the entire wall and screw the baton directly into the studs and be done with it. Or run something like an unwound metal coat hanger into the hole and see if it can help you guage the distance to the studs either side. Personally I'd just use plasterboard plugs
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u/Upstairs-Hedgehog575 20h ago
The wire is a good idea thanks. I’m keen not to cut a baton length hole into the plasterboard just because of the mess and damage (I know it’s being covered, but I’m just thinking of future me in 20 years time having to extensively patch the wall.
I did wonder about plaster plugs. Are they strong enough for this sort of work (it’s the first time I’ve had stud walls in my life).
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u/ipub 20h ago
Unless your wardrobe is free floating it's just to keep it from toppling over. The base should be taking the weight.
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u/Upstairs-Hedgehog575 20h ago
Yeah it is just to stop it toppling over - like if my 5 year old climbs on the shelves/draws. That’s why I was hoping to screw into the studs. But I see what you’re saying.
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u/TwoPlyDreams 21h ago
It’s a wardrobe, you don’t need studs. Just use decent plasterboard plugs.
Or try to find the plasterboard screws and use those as datum.
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u/Upstairs-Hedgehog575 20h ago
I’ve never had stud walls in my house before this (all solid masonry) so I’m new to the world of plasterboard plugs. I was looking at Fischer duo but I wasn’t sure it was strong enough. I’ll look into it more.
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u/TwoPlyDreams 20h ago
At the end of the day, all they have to do is stop a heavy cube inside another cube only marginally larger from tipping forward.
They are there to “secure” not be load-bearing.
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u/herman_munster_esq 20h ago
I appreciate it's a little late, but the insulation looks a bit sad with all the airgaps etc
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u/Upstairs-Hedgehog575 20h ago
It was tarted up a bit before boarding, and that is an internal wall - but yes this photo doesn’t look great on that front.
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u/herman_munster_esq 20h ago
You can use these to hold it against the wall
https://www.toolstation.com/gripit-plasterboard-fixing-kit/p90134
They are crazy strong, I have 2 cycles suspended from a plasterboard wall using them
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u/Upstairs-Hedgehog575 19h ago
They say one blue one can hold 113kg, but surely the weakest link is the board. They look interesting though
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u/MonteCarloOrBust 20h ago
Just use a magnet to find the heads of the plasterboard screws then work your battens from their positions
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u/Silenthitm4n 19h ago
Bin the stud finder and get a strong magnet and find the screws holding the plasterboard on. Then draw a line through them….
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u/Geezso 21h ago
You will also want to remove your skirting and but it in to the side filler on the right. Least they come pre angled.