Installing a recessed 70cmX50cm cabinet into plasterboard hollow wall

spuddy4711

I cut an inspection hole. The gap between the plasterboards is 7cm, enough for my cabinet.

I plan to make a frame, 70X50 internal dimensions, and install this first, then insert my cabinet.

But. I can see two vertical battens which I would need to cut, and this is where I need advice please.

Would these battens be easily removed ? Or would the existing plasterboard be nailed onto them. The wall I’m going to

open is plasterboard, but the wall on the other side is tiled, and I don’t want to damage these.

So, what happens if I can carefully cut through the battens, will I be able to just lift them out, or will they be stuck to the

back wall ? Should I forget about my plan.

jack of all

These vertical battens are presumably 3x 2" studs, in which case the plasterboard will be nailed (most likely) or screwed to it. Ideally you would want your cabinet to be sufficiently narrow to fit between the studs, probably 350mm or thereabouts based on a 400mm centres spacing for typical stud walls. I'm sure with care it would be possible to remove the existing studs in part, trim out etc but it would require some skill to cut the nails and remove the studs, while preserving the finish on the other side.

spuddy4711

Many thanks, Jack, it’s good advice, Even cutting the inspection hole caused havoc with the

tamper circuit on the house alarm.

I’ll forget about this until we’re retiling the bathroom.