How To Attach Wood To Drywall / Plasterboard

How To Attach Wood To Drywall or Plasterboard

If you need to attach wood to your drywall then you might normally use screws. However, this can only be done where there are studs behind the wall.

If you attempt to do this on a wall where there are no studs, the result is going to be serious damage to the drywall where the screws rip out. But surely there’s another way? If you’ve been wondering how to attach wood to drywall then we have the answer.

If you cannot screw the wood to the drywall then the next best option is to use construction adhesive. This provides a strong and reliable bond without the risk of damaging the wall in the process.

Of course, as with anything else, there are downsides to this and we will go into these among many other things in this handy guide.

What’s The Best Way To Attach Wood To Drywall Without Screws?

If you cannot use screws to attach wood to your drywall then there is another way. Construction adhesive creates a durable bond that is as good as permanent.

You should make sure that you choose a high quality and high strength adhesive if you want the best results. Loctite PL Max Premium and Evo-Stik Sticks Like S**t are some of the best products out there.

Sale
EVO-STIK Sticks Like Sh*t Adhesive, All Weather, Extreme Temperature & Movement Resistant, Colour: Clear, Size: 290ml
1,037 Reviews
EVO-STIK Sticks Like Sh*t Adhesive, All Weather, Extreme Temperature & Movement Resistant, Colour: Clear, Size: 290ml
  • High performance grab adhesive that offers...
  • The SM Polymer formulation can be used on almost...
  • Solvent free and suitable for interior and...
  • Suitable materials: Wood, metal, glass, stone,...
  • Contents: 1x EVO-STIK Sticks Like Sht Adhesive,...

But whichever adhesive you choose, it’s important to make sure that it is weather and moisture resistant as well as resistant to temperature changes. This will ensure a strong and permanent bond without any slipping or movement.

Installing wood to drywall using this method is pretty simple. Just follow our easy step by step guide.

  1. Start by measuring the area that you wish to install the wood and mark this to give yourself a guide.
  2. You will now apply the construction adhesive to the back of the wood. Be sure to apply a thin but consistent layer around the edges and then another application in the centre of the wood.
  3. Take the wood and press it firmly against the wall, holding it in place while it initially adheres.
  4. If any adhesive seeps out the sides of the wood, wipe this away now.
  5. You should allow up to 24 hours for the adhesive to be fully set.

Are There Any Drawbacks To Using Construction Adhesive?

Construction adhesive is great if you cannot use screws because of a lack of studs behind the drywall. Moreover, it’s an excellent choice for people who do not want to mark their drywall with screws that will leave a permanent hole.

That said, this is an incredibly strong adhesive that will keep the wood in place indefinitely. That sounds great and it is until you want to remove the wood. This can be very difficult and you should keep in mind that doing this will cause damage to the drywall.

Using Screws To Attach Wood To Drywall

If your drywall has studs then you will be able to attach your wood using screws. This is a reliable method that will hold the wood in place well.

Make sure to remember to use drywall screws that have a deeper thread that stops them from becoming dislodged. Since they are made from steel and are pretty heavy-duty, you’ll more than likely need to use a powered screwdriver with these.

  1. Using a stud finder, locate and mark the studs behind the drywall.
  2. Now take the wood and use this to mark exactly where you will place it.
  3. Using your drill, make pilot holes along with the wall studs around every six inches.
  4. You can now attach the wood to the wall using your drywall screws. Ensure that your chosen screws are long enough that they drive at least an inch into the stud.

Are There Any Drawbacks To Using Screws?

Screws are a great way to hold your wood in place on the drywall and what’s great is you don’t need to wait for anything to set like you do when using construction adhesive. Additionally, using screws means that the wood can be much more easily removed from the wall when you want to renovate.

The main issue with using screws is that they will leave very noticeable marks on the wall. Of course, there is the option of using a filler to fix the holes, sanding this down and painting over the top. But that does mean a little extra work after removing the wood.

Top Tips For Securing Wood To Drywall

If you use the above methods, you should have problems in creating a strong bond and your wood will stay in place for as long as you need it to. However, there are some common mistakes that people make when attaching wood to drywall and you want to avoid these otherwise your project may not go as planned.

Primarily, a lot of people make the mistake of using wood glue instead of construction adhesive. Wood glue certainly has its place in your DIY arsenal but it’s not here. The problem with wood glue is that it is designed to adhere one piece of wood to another. When using it on drywall, it will not create that strong bond needed to hold everything in place.

Another common mistake is that people will use nails in place of screws. This is something you should never do unless you want your wood to come unstuck in the near future.

Since screws are threaded, they will more easily bite and hold in place whereas nails are very likely to come loose. The only exception to this is if you were to use finish nails but this method should only ever be used for small or lightweight pieces of wood.

Conclusion

There are many reasons that you may need to attach wood to drywall; skirting boards, trims, panelling and much more. But if you want your handiwork to stand the test of time, you will need to make sure you use the right tools.

When thinking about how to attach wood to drywall, many people assume screws are the best option. In many cases, this is true but if the wall does not have studs, you will need to use a strong construction adhesive.

How To Attach Wood To Drywall / Plasterboard

Related Posts

Scroll to top