Studwork is a lightweight framework of wooden or metal battens that is often used to form ceilings or walls before plasterboard is fitted. As these battens are usually non-load-bearing, lathwork is not suitable for supporting the weight of Aluwdoors doors or Aluwdoors wall systems.

Checking rebate work before your door is fitted is important.

Inspecting the furring channels for a suspended ceiling

Before having door or wall systems installed, check whether you have a ceiling with tiling laths. This prevents you from anchoring tracks, hinges or other fixing points into the weak laths.

If a door or partition wall is nevertheless mounted on batten work, this can lead to sagging, loosening fasteners or damage to both the ceiling and the door or wall system.

Therefore, check in advance whether timber battens are present. This allows you to choose an alternative fixing method in good time.

How do you recognise lathwork?

To determine whether a ceiling contains a battens framework, carry out a few practical checks before starting to install a Aluwdoors system. Take a close look at the finish: ceilings made of plasterboard or wooden panels often have a battens framework as their substructure.

You can also test this by gently tapping your ceiling in different places. Do you hear a hollow sound? That is usually a sign that there is space between the finish and the load-bearing structure. That points to the use of tiling laths.

Alternatively, search for metal fixings with a magnet. If you only find small screw points that are far apart, there is a good chance that tiling laths have been used.

Always measure the distance between any visible joints or screws. With batten work, this is usually 30 to 60 centimetres. Do you have access to the top of the ceiling, for example via a loft or hatch? Then it is of course easier to climb up for a moment to see if wooden or metal battens are present.

Are you still in doubt as to whether your ceiling is fitted with battens? Then it is wise to drill a small hole in an inconspicuous place. That way, you will immediately see what is behind the finish and prevent you from attaching the door system to a structure that cannot bear the weight.

Modern steel door and glass partition installation by professionals, bespoke and high-quality finish from Aluwdoors.

Why shift work is a challenge

Plasterboard usually has low load-bearing capacity. The structure is not suitable for fixing a door system to. Screws or wall plugs may come loose, the ceiling may be damaged, or the rail may sag. To ensure a stable and secure installation, a door must therefore always be anchored to a load-bearing structure such as concrete or a support beam.

Solutions for rachel work

Does your ceiling partly consist of batten work? Then there are various alternatives to mount your door or wall system securely nonetheless. Opt for an extra support structure that is placed behind or above the ceiling and distributes the weight of the door over the load-bearing walls.

Sometimes it is possible to attach the rail or hinges directly to a solid wall, provided it is made of concrete, brick or a reinforced partition wall. Another solution is to use a freestanding system with uprights, so that the load is borne entirely by the floor and the ceiling is not overloaded.

Would you like to know for sure what the best option is for a door or wall system in your situation? Then take contact us or drop by at one our showrooms for personalised advice. You’ll find our showrooms at Nunspeet, Veghel, Mijdrecht or Barendrecht.