UKC

Hi guys.

I plan on buying a fingerboard but am unsure how to set one up.

I have a beam running across my hall (see photos). It feels pretty solid - Can I simply screw the fingerboard into it? Or is there more to it?

https://imgur.com/a/rbNeqaE

Thanks so much for any answers!

Hard to tell. It looks very likely that what you see is lightweight plasterboard finishes hiding a structural steel or concrete beam. If this is the case you may struggle to get a satisfactory, sturdy fixing.

Does it sound solid when you tap it? If you are lucky the beam might be solid timber in which case it will be sturdy enough to fix to.

Thanks, JLS.

It feels pretty solid to me. Is it worth trying to drill a few holes to see what's under the plaster?

Fixing to the wall above the door opening visible in one of the photos may be an easier option. There is almost certainly a timber studs in that wall that a piece of sheet plywood (say 18mm thick) could be fixed to with big screw nails; your fingerboard would then be screwed onto the plywood.

Fine if you don’t mind fixing the mess if it doesn’t pan out.  

Thanks. Yeah I've read up that method but as I don't own a stud finder I thought a beam might have been easier. I see now that perhaps that isn't the case!

It’s generally not too hard to find the studs just by knocking with your fist. Just either side of the door is a good place to start looking…

A combined stud / pipe / cable finder can cost as little as £20. Small change if you accidentally drill or screw into a water / gas pipe or an electric cable. Unless you are absolutely sure what’s behind I wouldn’t drill / screw without checking.