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.

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.

How to install an electrical box in drywall

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. If the drywall or plaster is damaged , cut a larger hole and install a box that attaches directly to a stud or joist. Select boxes that meet local codes. For a ceiling fan or a heavy light fixture, buy a fixture box that attaches to a fan-rated brace.

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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.

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.

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Using old-work electrical boxes is one way to hover the boxes between studs. One metal box center has a flange that springs outward when the box is inserted; tightening a screw brings the flange forward. Push the box into the hole. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Practice first because it is hard to control. Trending Videos. Not all fixtures need to be attached to a wall stud or joist. But there are still some common errors that do-it-yourselfers frequently make. Turning the screws also turns the two plastic wings behind the drywall, forcing the box against the drywall. Use limited data to select advertising. 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. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

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The common practice for receptacle outlet boxes is to install them so the bottom edge is between 12 and 16 inches above the floor. Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process. Newsletter Sign Up. Test to make sure the old-work box fits in the hole. While you should try to be precise, these are less critical because there are no tabs on the sides. If you have an assistant, there's no need to tape the box. Measure content performance. It is standard practice for wall switches to be installed about 48 inches above the floor. Larry Campbell is an electrical contractor with 36 years of experience in residential and light commercial electrical wiring. Not all fixtures need to be attached to a wall stud or joist.