Do Stud Finders Work Through Stucco

A smooth interior drywall surface can make locating studs easier.

Do stud finders work through stucco.

Mark the studs locations and measure the distance in between each one. You could spring for an expensive x ray unit but most homeowners prefer an easier and cheaper approach to finding studs in stucco siding and other materials. Stucco walls typically have chicken wire or some other metal mesh embedded in the stucco and that metal barrier will prevent your stud finder from sensing the increased density necessary to locate the studs. Locate studs on an outdoor stucco wall with a magnet your knuckle or a stud finder by checking along the same wall from indoors.

Stud finders can be bought on ebay. Zircon s highly developed stud finders are good at the side to side sweep detection method. Stud finders however will not always return accurate results with lath and plaster walls because of the very inconsistent method by which they are constructed. How stud finders work.

The zircon ss70 is slightly less accurate than the bigger 740 and it doesn t work as well through difficult surfaces like metal lath backed stucco. Stud finders can be purchased at hardware and home improvement stores. To function properly the wall surface must have a consistent density level and be less dense than the wood stud. The exterior cladding and boxing make an electronic stud finder ineffective because they re too thick and solid to get accurate readings.

For 29 this is a good stud finder once you get the hang of the back and forth sweeping. Location of studs through a stucco wall can be almost impossible without a stud finder. Stud finders may also be found in the hardware department of most department stores. Stud finders are designed to scan through sheet materials that have a consistent thickness and density and have a fairly smooth surface.

The consistent texture of drywall allows the stud finder to efficiently send an infrared signal through the material. A smooth interior drywall surface can make locating studs easier.