I'm trying to hang a TV on the wall that separates my family room from my bedroom in my apartment. I bought a stud finder, which indicated that the studs are 24 inches apart. However, when I drilled, I couldn't find any studs at all! It felt like I hit something solid after a bit, but there was no sawdust or signs of wood. The closest studs should be about 48 and 72 inches from the corner, so I'm really confused about what's going on here. Any suggestions would be super helpful!
2 Answers
It sounds like you might be dealing with light steel framing, especially if your apartment is in a newer complex. That's not uncommon in commercial builds or modern apartments. If you check your wall, you might find metal studs instead of wooden ones, which is probably why your stud finder was giving you false readings. You can still mount your TV, but just make sure to use appropriate anchors or brackets for metal studs!
How big is your apartment building and when was it built? If it's a large complex built in the last decade, there's a good chance those walls are framed with metal studs. They can be pretty different to work with compared to wood, but it’s definitely doable! Just be aware of what you’re drilling into, and you should be alright.
I think it was built in the last 10 years, so that makes sense! Can I still mount my TV normally if it is metal framing?
Yeah, I’ve had the same issue in some apartments. Make sure you get the right screws and anchors for metal—don’t want your TV crashing down!