![wifi lathe and plaster walls wifi lathe and plaster walls](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TWdoNYROwMk/TArHOStdsQI/AAAAAAAAANk/w4kF23ZJ764/s1600/Haddef+day+23+003.jpg)
![wifi lathe and plaster walls wifi lathe and plaster walls](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/u5keyI6Mqqs/maxresdefault.jpg)
![wifi lathe and plaster walls wifi lathe and plaster walls](https://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/data/attachments/8/8364-2d17e6980b965db650b06d2dfd323235.jpg)
I recommend finding a stud but it isn't possible to always get one with a smaller cabinet. A lot of plasters were reinforced with horsehair and are even stronger. It is at least 3/8" thick and embedded in plaster. The lath that the plaster is laid on is usually oak or chestnut. And I've swung from them, and I'm no lightweight. To contributor D: I've done cabinets this way on good plaster. Don’t be surprised to find 2 x 4's that are actually 2 x 4 and no round-over on the edges. The studs might be 16 '' center to center but it’s no guarantee in older homes. Find the stud with a nail and hang the cabinet on studs. As for chicken wire, I’ve never seen it in houses. It might be great for holding up a picture but not a cabinet. I always make sure I have positively located enough studs to secure a particular cabinet before I raise it. After you pinpoint the center of a stud, try to determine what the framing spacing is by measuring a logical distance like 16". If you hit chicken wire the bit should just deflect. I am sure this will work on plaster and lath too. When it goes deeper and is still drilling wood, that is a stud. I can tell when I am between them because the drill goes the same depth every time and then frees up. To the original questioner: When there is plywood sheeting behind the sheet rock (I won’t fasten a wall cabinet to sheeting either) I take a drill with a 1/4" drill bit and hunt for studs. The lath I have seen during a demolition seems like it was 1/2" thick by 1" wide if that. I did mess with plaster once in the 70's and it seems to me I had to use a carbide masonry drill. Isn't there usually chicken wire in the plaster? It seems like that would interfere with the stud finder. They do have stud finders that can penetrate the plaster walls and reliably find the studs - don't expect them to be 16" on center. You can also hunt for the studs with a screw where the cabinets will be hung, then put the cabinets up and the extra holes will be hidden behind the cabinets. The base of the plaster will be a split lath and there is a 90% chance of screwing into it. If the plaster is in good to excellent condition you can literally screw it anywhere. But thinking about it, I can just cut a section away behind the cabinet to figure out what's back there. My concern was being able to find them behind the plaster. I believe they still used wood stud framing 100 years ago. (Cabinet and Millwork Installation Forum) They should be able to advise you on the best course of action for your specific situation.I am going to be installing some upper cabinets on plaster walls in a 100 year old home. I am not based in North Essex, but I would recommend looking for a plasterer with experience working with older properties and who has a good reputation in your local area. You should also check that they are using a high-quality, breathable lime plaster that is suitable for the specific conditions of your walls. If you do decide to go with a lime-based skim coat, I would recommend checking with your plasterer that they have experience working with lime plaster, as it requires a different set of skills and techniques compared to gypsum plaster. Gypsum plaster can also be used for skim coating, but it is not always the best choice for older properties. As such, I would recommend using a lime-based skim coat to ensure that the new plaster is compatible with the old. In your case, given the age of your house, it is likely that the original plaster was a lime-based plaster. When it comes to applying a skim coat over lath and plaster walls, it is important to use a material that is compatible with the existing substrate to prevent any potential issues down the line. Thank you for reaching out regarding your lath and plaster walls.