Attempting to hang cabinets in garage... problems?

[krystal]

Hi all,

I'm trying to hang (2) 30'' wall cabinets in my garage, right up to the ceiling. It's a 2014 single family home in SoCal. I've identified some screws using magnets, but the stud finder I'm using indicates it's metal studs? Now I have heard several people including installation people say this neighborhood uses a lot of metal, but does that sound right, for drywall to be screwed to metal studs? The spacing is also not even...

Behind this wall is this:

 

[pmiranda]

Looks fine to me. If you're really worried, get some good drywall anchors (I actually like the ones from container store, each is rated for 50lb if installed correctly) and just use those. I have hundreds of pounds of junk hanging off them in my garage and it's fine. I like to put in twice as many as I think I need in case I hit a weak spot.
You can also try drilling a small pilot hole 3/4" from the ceiling and see if you hit the top plate of the wall. Even with metal studs that might be lumber and you can hang the cabinets from a cleat. (That's how the Elfa system works)

 

[The Cobbler]

could be steel studs . the difference in spacing of the screws doesn't matter. looks like the studs are equal spaced, even if they're not, it's not a concern here
steel studs will hold a alot of weight. just don't overdrive the screws and strip them out in the steel stud

 

[nadogail]

When you price lumber, steel studs begin to look like a bargain, they also hold up well to termites.

I would use Molly Bolts to fasten ledgers to the wall and hang the cabinets from them.

All advice posted by me is guaranteed to be worth exactly what you ave paid me for it.

 

[csi123]

Nothing wrong with drywall screwed into metal studs. Since you are going to put up the cabinets and cover up the wall anyway just either drill a small hole or cut out a small piece to confirm. That will help you to decide what screw/method to mount them.

 

[Innovate1]

You might be able to pull the cover plate for the switch to help determine if they are wood or steel studs. Not familiar with steel stud construction through and they may have put in a section of wood to mount the box to. But as suggested drilling a small hole should tell you what you need to know.

If they are steel make sure you use a fastener with a good load rating when used into a steel stud and/or use more of them. Cabinets can get lots of heavy stuff put in them.

 

[ddurrett896]

If your the worried, cut a small 2” section of drywall out behind the cabinets to show exactly where the studs are. Mark, screw the piece of drywall back in or just leave off, don’t finish since it’s behind the cabinet anyway.

 

[John in OH]

If your the worried, cut a small 2” section of drywall out behind the cabinets to show exactly where the studs are. Mark, screw the piece of drywall back in or just leave off, don’t finish since it’s behind the cabinet anyway.

+1 ^^^

 

[dcg9381]

Why cut it? You know where the cabinets are going to go, just drill 1/8th in hole into that drywall and tap it with a nail...

 

[jd_1138]

Are metal studs rated to be drilled into and weight hung from them? I googled it and saw references to having to put in 2x6 blocking wood and ledger boards. Probably depends on the thickness of the studs and if the wall is load-bearing or not.

I think I would cut out the drywall and see what you're working with. It will be covered up anyway. Can always stick the piece of drywall back up to cover the hole which will then be covered by the cabinetry.

 

[Crazyhorse]

Are metal studs rated to be drilled into and weight hung from them?

Cabinets get installed to metal studs all the time in commercial construction (offices). The biggest downside is the tendency to strip the threads when you tighten the screws, there's a fine line between tight and stripped, with wood you don't have that. We always specify for strapping or blocking between the studs to be able to fasten through, as it's thicker, but most GC's won't open up a wall that was already closed to install it.

As long as you use fasteners rated for steel, and for the weight, you'll be fine, just make sure you secure the cabinets top and bottom to every stud at a minimum.

 

[rawen2]

You could remove one of the drywall screws. Fine thread are usually used in metal studs and coarse threads in wood.

 

[dave_dj1]

Cabinets get installed to metal studs all the time in commercial construction (offices). The biggest downside is the tendency to strip the threads when you tighten the screws, there's a fine line between tight and stripped, with wood you don't have that. We always specify for strapping or blocking between the studs to be able to fasten through, as it's thicker, but most GC's won't open up a wall that was already closed to install it.

As long as you use fasteners rated for steel, and for the weight, you'll be fine, just make sure you secure the cabinets top and bottom to every stud at a minimum.

All the cabinets and trim I screwed to metal studs had a piece of sheet steel attached to them before the sheetrock went on.
https://www.clarkdietrich.com/products/flat-strapping

 

[Crazyhorse]

All the cabinets and trim I screwed to metal studs had a piece of sheet steel attached to them before the sheetrock went on.
https://www.clarkdietrich.com/products/flat-strapping

Yep, Like I said, we always call for it on our submittals (the architect usually does also), however 9/10 if it's an existing wall the GC won't open it to install it, and just has us hang off the studs.

 

[The Cobbler]

very easy to tell steel studs by shoving an awl or small screwdriver into the drywall until you touch the stud .

 

[gnpenning]

You can use french cleats and do more attaching points spreading the load if you are concerned.

 

[SALIV8]

I wouldnt hang cabinets from steel studs of unknown thickness. Not only can you easily strip them, the screws are easier to pull out. Around here they remove the drywall, and install plywood attached to the studs very carefully. This way you can see what is happening as well as feel it.

I have steel studs in my basement and I would not trust heavy point loads on them. If you were hanging a flat screen tv Id suggest toggle bolts and not even try to hit the studs.

 

[rburke65]

As said.....cut out a piece o& drywall and and solve this....

 

[jagwinn]

Remodeled a steel building (auto dealership) by building interior walls using metal studs, top and bottom plates, into a Food Pantry for our church out-reach.

Be sure to use screws for metal studs! Very sharp point makes it easy and fast. We attached 12'X4'x3/4" sheets of drywall with screws directly to the studs and plates.

Looking at your photo image, I would be tempted to put a 4'X8' sheet of wood on the surface of the wall [floor to ceiling] to anchor the upper cabinet and provide a backing wall for the bench.

 

[ItsNemo]

Toggle bolts.

Very typical in the garage to have steel studs for bulk heads where duct work and plumbing have been run in the main wood structure so that they can get enough insulation over it.

In my case, I knew where they did steel studs and just tore down the drywall and re-did the bulkheads with wood before hanging anything. Yeah it costs some money/time to re-do a few sections but at least I know it will hold and can put a screw anywhere into the studs.