How to hang bathroom cupboard on stud/plasterboard walls?

beckstar1975

Recently had our loft extension finished and now have a cupboard we need to hang in the bathroom - it's mirrored and quite heavy.

Do we have to find the studs behind to hang from or can we hang on plasterboard (if so how)? I am hopeless at DIY and sadly DH is too but have no one we can come ask to help either 

Eldi_Dos

As it is heavy and has glass it would be better attached to studs, if they are not in suitable location a batten attached to studs  would be best option.
You could make batten match decor, for instance if Oak door use matching batten's, that type of thing.

beckstar1975

Thank you - forgive my ignorance but that means attach horizontal battens secured to the studs at the height we need and then just attach the unit to these? Using big screws presumably? I said I had no idea, sorry

CliveOfIndia

beckstar1975 said:

Thank you - forgive my ignorance but that means attach horizontal battens secured to the studs at the height we need and then just attach the unit to these? Using big screws presumably? I said I had no idea, sorry

That's about it, yes.  And I agree with Eldi, that's certainly what I'd do.  You can get special fixings for plasterboard, but personally I'd want to be attaching to the studs for anything with a bit of weight to it.  Not least because plasterboard itself is fairly flimsy stuff, irrespective of what type of fixing you use.

You don't need to use "big" screws as such.  Just make sure they're of a suitable size to attach the batten securely to the studs, then another suitable size (odds-on these can be a bit shorter) to attach the cupboard securely to the batten.  As long as the batten itself is reasonably sturdy and is fixed securely to the studs, you'll be fine - essentially the weight is being taken by the battens, which is what you're after.

beckstar1975

Thank you both, that sounds much less scary than I feared

Kiran

If you can find the studs, that's the best and most straightforward option. If you can't or positioning doesn't align then hollow wall fixings are a great option. They'll hold a decent weight, I've put large TV brackets up with them before

Eldi_Dos

When purchasing what you need, explain to the assistant what it is for and they will guide you. With it being for a bathroom make sure to get good quality material,ones that will not corrode and spoil the appearance.

beckstar1975

Yes - sadly our local hardwear/building supply shop has closed down but I think it has another branch 20 mins away that is still open. They saved us more than once with us going in in a panic and them diagnosing and showing me how to fix.

I'll go in as I am not embarrassed to say I don't know what I'm doing and also as I think they'll assume a lesser level of base understanding than they would from DH. He's lovely but was brought up by a single working mum so never had anyone to show him any of this stuff - I think sadly becoming more common. Wonder if Men's Shed ever do classes for people like us?

Rodders53

How is this wall constructed?

I have internal partition walls that are plasterboard-stud-work/insulation filled void-plasterboard... 
I have some internal and all external that are plasterboard-dot-dab-blockwork...
Other construction methods exist.

There are many suitable plasterboard fixings available to take significant weights...  GripIT being one brand.  Also one can get expanding cavity wall fixings.

Without details of the dimensions and weight and item concerned (plus if it has specialised fixing/levelling built in)... and the exact wall construction methods we're flying blind.  Ideally one would want at least some fixings into any wooden studs whenever possible.

You may be best going back to the loft extension builders for advice and maybe employ one of their handymen to fit the cabinet?  Or any reputable handyman with the required skills?

CliveOfIndia

beckstar1975 said:

Wonder if Men's Shed ever do classes for people like us?

If you're interested in courses, try taking a look at local schools and colleges.  Quite a lot of them run night classes in all sorts of things, basic DIY being quite a popular one.

But yes, I'm sure Mens' Shed might also be a possibility.

beckstar1975

Thanks - he's had to retire through ill health sadly so that's not an option.

I don't know any terms but this bit is in the dormer portion so it's wood frame with plasterboard and lots of insulation