Fixing A Cupboard unit to plasterboard wall

[tobeloy]

Just moved into a place with limited kitchen space and having to buy an extra cupboard to compensate however i have to fix it to a plasterboard wall and blokey in b&q says the wall wont hold the weight when cupboard is filled with food, i agree but is there anyway to get around this? I was thinking of using the studs in the wall that the plasterboard is nailed to, any ideas is appreciated

[buildersmate]

Yes, that's exactly what you have to do. Unfortunately they are most unlikely to be where you want them to be. The way around this may be to put a horizontal piece of wood that is screwed into the vertical studs, then screw the cupboard to this. Whether you can do this will depend on the amount of clearance at the back of the cupboard to enable the fitting of such a rail behind the backpanel. You will have to notch the side of the cupboard and the rail would show at the sides, if its a single cupboard. SAlternatively use a chunkier piece of wood below the cupboard to support the main weight and secure the tops with Plasplugs as normal.

[carrust]

You could also cut-out the plasterboard where the cupboards are going to be sited. Screw some noggins to the vertical studs, then fit some new plasterboard & skim. A lot of messing about I know, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
BTW, you only have to be neat where the plasterwork shows.

[tobeloy]

Thx, I will go with the suggestion of fitting a piece across the studs and fixing the unit ontothat as i think that will be the best support

[tezestwing]

bmate is spot on but if you need a (chunkier) piece of wood then because it will be hidden behind the unit (usually approx 20mm clearance) you could carefully cut the plasterboard at the right dimensions and notch studding so that it finishes flush with the face of the plaster board taking care not to cut into any cables/pipes that may be it the studding HTH Tez

[katerich48]

I have had 2 separate kitchens fitted over the years both in flats with plaster walls... And the fitters have managed to find the batons under the plasterboard with no probs - and my cupboards are fitted all around the walls in both of my kitchens exactly where I wanted them.. maybe it sounds harder to find them than it actually is..