Want to mount a sconce on the wall where there is a stud

pdp76

I want to mount a couple sconces on our bedroom, one on either side of our bed, but the locations where I want to mount them have studs behind the drywall. Furthermore, I believe the studs are part of the window frame. I've attached a picture to help describe my question/situation. Our home is very new construction by the way, 2010, I throw that out there because maybe it will help determine what kind of windows frame I have, like how thick, how wide, etc... I have no clue. All I know, according to my stud finder tool, is that the window fame extends somewhere between 6 to 8 inches out on either side of the window... it is within this 6 to 8 inches that I want to mount the sconces.

The obvious thing that I don't know how to work around is... Where and how can I run the wires inside the wall if there are studs behind where I want to mount the sconces? Is this even possible? The sconces are very light, maybe 3lbs each max, so a typical old work box supported only by drywall would have been enough support, but too bad the mounting locations are on the window frames. Also, I showed the location of the outlets from where I was expecting to tap for electricity for the sconces. Note, the drawing isn't to scale, but each wire from the sconce to the outlet will not exceed more than 6 feet. Thanks in advance!

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Jim Port

It would be typical to have two studs doubled up on each side of the window. You may have more depending on the load above that needs to be carried.

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Answers based on the National Electrical Code. Local amendments may apply. Check with your local building officials.

ControlTech

The stud finder MAY be wrong (6-8 inches would suggest a triple stud on the windows). Try tapping in a finishing nail to see if the stud is really where the stud finder shows it.

Saturday Cowboy

a pan box is the answer in this
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

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Ragged Trousered Philanthropist


Please follow the code - its there for your safety no matter how inconvenient.

epson

You can also use a plug in wall scone. These are super easy to install; all you need to do is attach them to the wall much like hanging a picture on the wall and plug them in. That’s it! You can dress the hanging cord up with a cord cover and there is no electrical work needed.

tcleve4911

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secutanudu

If you don't want a plug-in sconce, this is the way to go.

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Andrew

epson

What?

tcleve4911

That what you have in mind?..........

epson

No way wouldn’t do that to the guy I was thinking something along the lines as this.

AllanJ

You may carve away the front of the stud to fit the pancake box (pictures above) flush with the wall surface.

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pdp76

Thanks for the replies so far! I was thinking about the pancake box as well, but wasn't sure about how the wires would run because judging by the width of the studs on the sides of the window (and I think tripled up studs is probably the case, there is another floor above the window), the back of the pancake box would be completely flush on the studs.

Someone mentioned carving out part of the studs to get the pancake box flush with the outside surface of the drywall, does this mean I'd also have to carve out some space for the wiring to poke through the back or side? If I'm lucky, I suppose the edge of the pancake box would be near the edge of the outermost stud, but if it weren't, would that mean I'd have to remove even more of the drywall so I could carve out enough of the stud for the wire to run through? Are there any structural ramifications to doing this? Also, I'd hate to have to patch up drywall, I was hoping I could cut away just enough to fit the pancake box and cover it with the base of the sconce.

And one more thing, this is an outside wall of the house, meaning the other side of this wall is outside.

Finally, no outside cord for me! No offense epson, but that picture posted by tcleve4911 was freaking hilarious to me... not my style!

tcleve4911

Whew...I was hoping you would get a laugh from that one.
It was supposed to be funny......

secutanudu

How thick is your drywall? 1/2" The box pictured/linked above is 1/2" deep, meaning you shouldn't need to carve the front of the stud(s). You can take a 3/4" spade bit and drill a series of holes (all next to each other horizontally) about 1/2" deep, make a little "channel" for your wiring to run in.

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Andrew

teamo

I would use the pancake box in the picture. Figure out exactly where you want the lights and trace out the box. You may end up with the box overhanging the stud allowing you to run the wire to the knockout in the box. Where are you running the cable from? This is new construction so you are likely to run into fire stopping about half way up the wall. Can you run the cables from the outlet down into a basement or up into the attic? Are you going to run a switch for them or use a switch on the unit themselves?