How to install an electrical box in drywall

Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years. Installing electrical boxes is one of the first stages in electrical rough-in work.

Follow these expert tips to install an electrical box into drywall or plaster without the need for wall studs or joists. Not all fixtures need to be attached to a wall stud or joist. Installing these handy boxes only takes about 15 minutes and they give you the freedom to decorate your space exactly how you want. Try your hand at this small electrical project using our step-by-step instructions below. Before you get started, plan the job carefully, as running cable through walls covered with drywall or plaster can be difficult.

How to install an electrical box in drywall

Adding an electrical box to your existing wall for a switch or outlet is easy when you have the right materials and know a few tricks. And you don't have to remove any drywall. The walls can stay in place. The key is to purchase an electrical box called a remodel box or an old-work box rather than a new-work or new-construction box. Many of these old-work boxes from home centers and other big home improvement stores do not come with paper templates. Either you make your template, transfer measurements to the wall with a ruler, or use the box itself as a template. Because these boxes taper from smaller to larger, you cannot use the back sides as templates. Fortunately, you can use the face as a template, since the face is flat. Tape the box to the wall with painter's tape, face-first. Apply tape to the top and bottom. It's not necessary to tape the sides. If you have an assistant, there's no need to tape the box. Just have the assistant hold the box firmly against the wall as you draw the outline.

While you should try to be precise, these are less critical because there are no tabs on the sides.

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Follow these expert tips to install an electrical box into drywall or plaster without the need for wall studs or joists. Not all fixtures need to be attached to a wall stud or joist. Installing these handy boxes only takes about 15 minutes and they give you the freedom to decorate your space exactly how you want. Try your hand at this small electrical project using our step-by-step instructions below. Before you get started, plan the job carefully, as running cable through walls covered with drywall or plaster can be difficult. Remodel boxes also called cut-in or old-work boxes clamp to the drywall or plaster rather than attach to a framing member, making the work easier. However, they are only as strong as the wall surface to which they are clamped.

How to install an electrical box in drywall

Adding an electrical box to your existing wall for a switch or outlet is easy when you have the right materials and know a few tricks. And you don't have to remove any drywall. The walls can stay in place.

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If it fits tightly, do not force it or you may damage the drywall. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. What about between the studs? If you forgot to make the hole earlier, you can try to grab the side of the cutout with the teeth of the jab saw. More from The Spruce. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Measure advertising performance. For spaces used by people with accessibility issues requiring a wheelchair, for example, lower switch heights might be practical. Develop and improve services. List of Partners vendors. Electrical boxes typically are mounted to the sides of studs for stability. With a utility knife cut the line deeply enough to cut through the drywall paper. With your straight edge, connect horizontal and vertical lines to make a complete outline. With any type of larger, V outlet, it's often best to use a metal box, especially for cords that are frequently removed and replaced. Take your time cutting a lath-and-plaster wall when installing an electrical box.

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Dryer cords are attached to V outlets, and while the cords aren't frequently moved, they do place a heavy, constant burden on the outlet box. Cut to the inside of the knife cut to prevent fraying the paper. After cutting a rectangular hole in the drywall, you insert the electrical box in the hole. But this distance can range from 43 to 53 inches, depending on your preference. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data. Be extremely precise about this, preserving your line as you cut with the saw rather than cutting right on the line. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. One metal box center has a flange that springs outward when the box is inserted; tightening a screw brings the flange forward. While you should try to be precise, these are less critical because there are no tabs on the sides. Measure advertising performance.