Finding Studs Behind Exterior Aluminum Siding

OK... Can you slip a piece of plywood up from the bottom of the vent and drill through wall and plywood to get some good screws through Mount, Wall, and into the Plywood?

You could go through with a countersunk screw or two, to keep the Plywood in place inside as you continue mounting the TV bracket. Use Sealant (something other than silicone) on every penetration! You don't want water inside. And...

For Heaven's Sake: Don't drill on into the Refrigerator Coils!!!

Cummins12V98 wrote:


I would have the studs marked in a couple minutes. Not bragging just experience speaking. Many just don't have the experience, NOT being critical.

So, what was purpose of post? lol

I'd almost be willing to bet money that there's a stud along the left side of the fridge vent, and another along the right side, and probably none in between.

1L243 wrote:
After looking further inside measurement won't work. Where I would like to put the exterior TV mount just above the exterior wall refrigerator vent. That means the refrigerator is blocking the inside wall.

I removed the outside refrigerator vent cover and could look up and see that the inside wall is sheathed so any studs are hidden by the sheathing. The only way to get to it is to remove the frige
and don't want to do that.

Why can't you look sideways????
That's where the studs would be.

Ralph Cramden wrote:
Your siding is thin, most likely .024. It's stapled directly to 2X studs turned on the flat. Just push with your thumb on the lows and you'll find the studs.

As far as finding them from inside I find it hard to believe Dutchmen Mfg has filled the staple holes so well they are not visible. And the seams are covered with a 1" strip of vinyl wall covering (seam tape). The seam tape is at a stud, and so are the staples as those inner panels have no additional backer panel behind them, they're just 1/8 Luan.

I would have the studs marked in a couple minutes. Not bragging just experience speaking. Many just don't have the experience, NOT being critical.

Your siding is thin, most likely .024. It's stapled directly to 2X studs turned on the flat. Just push with your thumb on the lows and you'll find the studs.

As far as finding them from inside I find it hard to believe Dutchmen Mfg has filled the staple holes so well they are not visible. And the seams are covered with a 1" strip of vinyl wall covering (seam tape). The seam tape is at a stud, and so are the staples as those inner panels have no additional backer panel behind them, they're just 1/8 Luan.

After looking further inside measurement won't work. Where I would like to put the exterior TV mount just above the exterior wall refrigerator vent. That means the refrigerator is blocking the inside wall.

I removed the outside refrigerator vent cover and could look up and see that the inside wall is sheathed so any studs are hidden by the sheathing. The only way to get to it is to remove the frige
and don't want to do that.

Find a stud inside measure over to tot nearest window mark a pc of tape placed on glass, lets say it's 30" over to the mark. Go outside and measure back from the mark 30". EZ PZ.

I have bought about every stud finder there is and they all are hit and miss. The good old magnet works every time.

I'm in the Stud Finder Inside Wall Camp. Find Inside, Transfer measurement like a door or window frame.