I'm trying to mount a pull up bar to the studs behind my drywall. The studs are 16" apart, but seem to be of different widths. Specifically, I see a 3.5" stud, 3.5", 2", 2", 3.5". Are these just 2x4s in different orientations? Is there a preference for which I should mount on?
Drywall – Which stud should I mount to if they are different widths
drywallmountingstuds
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Metal studs are great for framing walls. They are super light, easy to work with, straight. But you've discovered one drawback...they don't have nearly the strength of a wooden 2x4 for mounting things to it.
Metal studs do come in different gauges though. The heavier, the better. But it sounds like yours are fairly lightweight.
Some options:
- take down the sheetrock, add some wood 2x4s, re-sheetrock
- find toggle bolts suited for this (they may exist, though I doubt any are rated for hanging actual cabinets or HD TVs).
- add your own mounting panel on the outside...such as some nice finished furniture grade plywood. Since the plywood can be attached to multiple studs in multiple locations, it can spread the load.
- get an entertainment system designed with its own 'wall' panel. Ikea has several, for instance:
There is not a good easy way to structurally mount a pullup bar to a wall with gypsum board on resilient channels which does not significantly impact the existing gypsum board finish because the resilient channels allow for some movement.
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Best Answer
The 3.5" studs are either doubled-up 2x4s, or a sideways 2x4. I would use the 2" studs to mount it on because if the 3.5" studs are sideways, they will be more likely to bow out under load, and a regular 2x4 is more than strong enough to hold body weight.