Forum Discussion

stationaryfullt's avatar
stationaryfullt
Explorer
Dec 16, 2013

Screws for interior walls

I'm looking to hang a second smoke detector in my TT closer to the bedroom. I've gotten the perfect spot on the wall picked out over the bathroom door, but of course there doesn't appear to be any studs in that area.

I know the board that the interior walls are made of aren't terribly strong for holding things up, but I think it can hold the smoke detector if I choose the proper diameter and thread count screw. Any suggestions?

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  • wmoses's avatar
    wmoses
    Explorer
    Dec 16, 2013
    stationaryfulltimer wrote:
    What screw type should I use? Coarse I'm guessing, but since it's so thin, fine might be better. Any suggestions?

    This is the only thing I put in my walls - hollow wall anchors.

    I would not use a screw by itself as you would be asking for trouble down the road. The 1" length is also short enough to not put a hole through the other face of the wall. Of course you need to drill the appropriately sized pilot hole.

    For your smoke detector, hook and loop tape (Velcro) would suffice.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Dec 16, 2013
    Just use #8 screws, for a tiny SD nothing more is needed and you don't need to make an enormous hole just for this.
    My two SD'd have been stuck to the roof by these for more than 10 years and 50K miles.
  • NanciL's avatar
    NanciL
    Explorer II
    Dec 16, 2013
    I just recently hung a wood magazine rack on the very thin luan using molly screws.
    You can get them in all sizes

    Jack l
  • GrandpaKip's avatar
    GrandpaKip
    Explorer II
    Dec 16, 2013
    Most of the time I've used either #6or #8 sheet metal screws of the proper length and head. My walls and ceiling are 3 mm luaun covered with wallpaper. So far, nothing's fallen off. When I need to attach something more substantial than a clock or such, then I use a stud finder.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Dec 16, 2013
    Get a package of sheet rock wall anchors. Those funny looking plastic things. Drill a hole install one and then add the screw. Permanent.
  • stationaryfullt's avatar
    stationaryfullt
    Explorer
    Dec 16, 2013
    What screw type should I use? Coarse I'm guessing, but since it's so thin, fine might be better. Any suggestions?
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Dec 16, 2013
    The thin wood paneling is plenty strong enough to support a SD. They're always just screwed into this material.

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