Exterior wall installation can help you to improve the look outside your home. Whether you are hanging a more efficient storage device for your garden hose, or hanging exterior shelves for storage or decorations, finding the stud in the exterior walls is essential.

Why use a stud finder

A stud finder is a device that uses either magnets or electricity to determine the placement of the stud. This home improvement tool can shed a large amount of time and frustration from your project. Although the formula is usually pretty straightforward for stud placement, structural differences can occur because of the placement of doors and windows. Using a stud finder can ensure that you aren’t drilling holes into the side of your home that are unnecessary.

Using the right stud finder

Using the right stud finder for the job is vital. By using the wrong stud finder, you are risking the possibility of wasting time and making unnecessary holes. Although the right stud finder may depend on the type of exterior of your home, magnetic stud finders work efficiently at a low cost. You also don’t have to worry about needing batteries in magnetic stud finders since they are not electronic devices.

Where to start

The first thing that you will want to do is to take a tape measure to the corner of your home. From there, extend the tape measure, going out about 16 inches. This should be the approximate placement of the first stud. Place the stud finder here. The stud finder should indicate that there is a stud in this place. If you have the right stud finder, you should not have to mark the wall. The best stud finders will do this for you, eliminating unsightly marks from the exterior of your home.

Time to finish

Now that you have found the stud quickly and easily with the right stud finder, all you need to do is drill. You can then place your screws and hang your project. This process can also work well for hanging picture frames and installing cabinets inside the home.