[Theswed82]

I am redoing my medicine cabinet. I removed the old built in MC and what I had thought that would be behind it was just some wall studs and maybe insulation.

However what I did discover what seems to another wall of lathe and plaster. So now I am wondering how to proceed, if you have any tips. I am also wondering now if that is not the original wall. As this is bumped out a good 3 inches. I wanted to do recess which would require opening it up larger than the hole is. Would it make more sense to do flush and seal it?

Not that I really want to tear down a wall. It is something I haven't encountered before. Obviously if the wall removed and what I presume is the original wall was exposed it would open it up.

Thanks for any help

 

[joed]

looks like the plaster on the other side of the wall. Completely normal.
Medicine cabinets designed to be same thickness as a stud so they fit into a standard stud wall.
Is this an inside or outside wall?

 

[Bud9051]

What's on the other side?
And can you take a picture that shows the bump out?

Bud

 

[Theswed82]

It is a interior wall facing a bedroom to the west. I am not great at taking pictures. I hope these help some more. On the other side is just the bedroom wall.

 

[joed]

Like I said originally. It is normal. What you are seeing is the back side of the plaster from the bedroom closet.

 

[Theswed82]

Like I said originally. It is normal. What you are seeing is the back side of the plaster from the bedroom closet.

Should I continue with a recess or should I just seal it and do a flush mount?

 

[de-nagorg]

I would continue with the recessed new cabinet.

As long as you don't knock a hole in the other wall, you will do fine.


ED

 

[joed]

It's your choice. I would do the recessed.
The new cabinet should be the proper thickness to fit in a standard 2x4 wall. With the thickness of the plaster you have, depth should not be an issue. New units would be designed for a 1/2" drywall and 3-1/2" studs.

 

[Theswed82]

I just had it in my silly head that the wall depth should have been more since it was old house and plaster. But it seems it is average depth.

 

[joed]

Your depth might a bit larger than today's. The 2x4s might actually be 4".
To be sure measure the depth before you go buy a new unit, but i don't think you are going to have an issue.

 

[Nealtw]

In older house, walls were sometimes doubled up to hide the cast iron pipe going up to the roof.
If there is attic space above you might be able to see what the original wall was.

Even today with 4" plastic we build a 2x6 (wet) wall