Finding Studs Through Aluminum Siding

This is not always the case depending on the installer.

Finding studs through aluminum siding.

The best way to find a stud while working on on the outside whether brick siding or stone is to use an electronic stud finder. Print cd flanged pdf. Insulation sheathing vapor barrier. Using a stud finder on the outside is hit or miss.

Cd welding permits stud welding of dissimilar metals. You may detect a nail in the sheathing and it won t be a stud. Ranging in price from 10 to 50 an electric stud finder will locate the center of any stud that that is covered by less. In theory the siding should be nailed at the studs.

Welds can be made to thin sheet without pronounced distortion burn through or discoloration. Walk very slowly along the exterior siding while holding the stud finder. Aluminum siding manufacturers we carry. Using a window as a location guide use a stud finder on the inside to locate a stud or two and transfer that to the outside.

For example if you locate an interior stud 12 inches from the corner add the thickness of the drywall usually 1 2 inch plus the thickness of the studs which is 3 1 2 inches if the studs are two by fours. Add another 1 2 inch for the boxing and 3 4 inch for standard lap siding. Keeping these points in mind here are the ways i ve been most successful at finding studs. Remove the section of siding at the elevation you plan on mounting the awning at.

Look at the trim for where it has been nailed to a stud. Stud finders are the best way to consistently locate the center of studs. A little light will go off or the finder will make a beeping noise when it finds a stud. Too many layers will give you a false reading.

The manufacturers listed above are not available at all locations. The better way is to locate the edges of the osb sheathing. Draw a mark at the exact location where the stud finder locates a stud. Add the 5 1 4 inch thickness of the wall to the 12 inches.

Place the stud finder at the edge of the exterior siding.