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I'm debating the best way to add a 2 gang switch box and then repair this wall. There was originally a single gang box nailed to the door frame, almost identical to what I can buy today. This only sticks out half an inch though, while the wall is about an inch thick.

I'm not sure if I should:

  • Just use the box shown nailed to the stud, double up half inch drywall, and have the tabs on the switch keeping it flush like it previously was with the plaster
  • Shim it out a half inch on either side and on the stud so the front of the box is actually flush
  • Double drywall and use an old work box (I would prefer not to install a box after closing the wall since the old wires have basically no 'give' and are stapled a few inches away from where the box was in either direction)
  • Something else, those are all bad ideas

Most of what I've come across online involves adding a box in the middle of a wall, but for a couple of reasons, I wanted to open this up anyway. Since I have access, I want to do it as neat as possible. Let me know if there's anything I'm not considering. Thanks for reading!

wall thickness vs box overhang hole in the wall hole behind door moulding

The hole is 12"x~10"

Douglas B
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1 Answers1

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I agree that an old works box wouldn’t work because of how short the wires are.

I would get an adjustable box and put it in before the drywall. A screw on the side of the box can be turned to bring the box in and out, so you can match it to the height of the drywall once it’s installed.

The metal hanger on the box is designed to wrap around a stud (1 1/2 inches). It looks like you have old studs, so they might by actual 2x4s, meaning the points on the metal flange may have the be bend straight or pounded straight into the stud.

PJ Didelot
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