Hello!
As usual, I'm not sure if I've placed this in the right subforum; feel free to move it if it's wrong.
I've moved into a condominium built in 2002, and now the project is to run one (or rather two) network cables through a wall. The wall is actually concrete, but there was a doorway that has been filled in with plasterboard, so that part is a plasterboard wall and that's where I plan to run the cable. Hard to say exactly but I would estimate the wall to be around 15 cm thick. However, I would need some help on how to do it best. It shouldn't really be that difficult but of course, I'm a bit scared of messing it up.
I was first advised to make the hole under the skirting board, but then I'd need new skirting and lots of sawing, so I'm considering just putting it above the skirting, at the same height as the electrical outlet next to it (in the concrete wall).
Worth noting is that I know NOTHING about this. So please explain as if I were five years old.
1. How do I make the hole in the best way? Just buy a hole saw (for plasterboard) and attach it to the drill?
2. The plan is for the hole to be 30-40mm in diameter. Does that sound reasonable? I don't want to completely build in the cables and make the hole too tight, I want to be able to change cables relatively easily.
3. Is there any risk of electric cables running through the plasterboard section? I assume not since it was added afterward?
4. What will it look like after I've made the hole? I have no experience with larger holes in plasterboard. Will the hole be relatively solid, or do I need to reinforce the walls with a metal tube or something?
5. Where can I find a suitable fitting for this? I've looked but can't find anything. Ideally, I'd like something that resembles a regular electrical outlet, with a brush. I found something similar on eBay but it would be nice if there were better options in Sweden.
6. Is there any risk that this hole will cause a significant difference in sound insulation between the rooms? I'm thinking if I use fittings with brushes on each side; shouldn't make any noticeable difference, right?
Bonus question: Does this even sound like something I should be doing myself? I initially thought about hiring a craftsman, asked around a bit but absolutely no one wants to take on such a small job. Not even Veteranpoolen has gotten back to me.
Thanks a lot for all the tips!
As usual, I'm not sure if I've placed this in the right subforum; feel free to move it if it's wrong.
I've moved into a condominium built in 2002, and now the project is to run one (or rather two) network cables through a wall. The wall is actually concrete, but there was a doorway that has been filled in with plasterboard, so that part is a plasterboard wall and that's where I plan to run the cable. Hard to say exactly but I would estimate the wall to be around 15 cm thick. However, I would need some help on how to do it best. It shouldn't really be that difficult but of course, I'm a bit scared of messing it up.
I was first advised to make the hole under the skirting board, but then I'd need new skirting and lots of sawing, so I'm considering just putting it above the skirting, at the same height as the electrical outlet next to it (in the concrete wall).
Worth noting is that I know NOTHING about this. So please explain as if I were five years old.
1. How do I make the hole in the best way? Just buy a hole saw (for plasterboard) and attach it to the drill?
2. The plan is for the hole to be 30-40mm in diameter. Does that sound reasonable? I don't want to completely build in the cables and make the hole too tight, I want to be able to change cables relatively easily.
3. Is there any risk of electric cables running through the plasterboard section? I assume not since it was added afterward?
4. What will it look like after I've made the hole? I have no experience with larger holes in plasterboard. Will the hole be relatively solid, or do I need to reinforce the walls with a metal tube or something?
5. Where can I find a suitable fitting for this? I've looked but can't find anything. Ideally, I'd like something that resembles a regular electrical outlet, with a brush. I found something similar on eBay but it would be nice if there were better options in Sweden.
6. Is there any risk that this hole will cause a significant difference in sound insulation between the rooms? I'm thinking if I use fittings with brushes on each side; shouldn't make any noticeable difference, right?
Bonus question: Does this even sound like something I should be doing myself? I initially thought about hiring a craftsman, asked around a bit but absolutely no one wants to take on such a small job. Not even Veteranpoolen has gotten back to me.
Thanks a lot for all the tips!
Difficult to give any exact advice without seeing what it looks like at your place, but making a hole in an aftermarket drywall is no problem. Essentially, you just need to push a screwdriver through the wall and/or drill with a bit. Make the holes as small as possible and then thread a wire through the wall to attach it to the cables and pull them through the wall.
Making the hole behind a trim doesn't sound completely wrong. Removing a trim is not a problem and the hole drilling is likely not to be visible.
The change in soundproofing is minimal. Unnoticeable.
Replacing cables, well, that sounds a bit unusual. If you're thinking of a permanent installation, there shouldn't be a need to replace any cables.
Making the hole behind a trim doesn't sound completely wrong. Removing a trim is not a problem and the hole drilling is likely not to be visible.
The change in soundproofing is minimal. Unnoticeable.
Replacing cables, well, that sounds a bit unusual. If you're thinking of a permanent installation, there shouldn't be a need to replace any cables.
What is it you're planning to connect? Are you going to run pre-made cables or can you consider running a contactless cable and then attaching the connectors yourself (it's not that difficult, but depending on the cable you need the right tools)? If you choose the latter, the connector doesn't need to pass through the wall, allowing you to make a much smaller hole. How many cables are you planning to run? Could you manage with one cable and place a switch on one and/or the other side?
I agree that you should make the hole as small as possible. You probably don't need a hole saw; a larger diameter drill bit should suffice. I recall that for a cable with a connector, you need a 13-14 mm diameter drill. The hole itself doesn't need reinforcement unless you plan on frequently threading things through it. If you can place the hole somewhat concealed, you probably don't need any throughput either.
And yes: you should do it yourself. It's always useful to handle small jobs at home on your own. You'll feel happy and satisfied once you're done. =)
I agree that you should make the hole as small as possible. You probably don't need a hole saw; a larger diameter drill bit should suffice. I recall that for a cable with a connector, you need a 13-14 mm diameter drill. The hole itself doesn't need reinforcement unless you plan on frequently threading things through it. If you can place the hole somewhat concealed, you probably don't need any throughput either.
And yes: you should do it yourself. It's always useful to handle small jobs at home on your own. You'll feel happy and satisfied once you're done. =)
Thanks for the answers. There are two network cables at the moment. I want to be able to remove/add cables as needed, so I prefer not to run the contactless cable through the wall. Plus, I don't want to mess with a punchdown tool, etc. But then it should work with a hole about 30 mm to ensure that two cables and one connector (both connectors don't need to go through at the same time) will fit through?
I bought a couple of these:
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31IwZBg6+fL._SX355_.jpg
I don't know if they might be made for desk feedthrough, but it should work just as well to make a hole, cover it with one on each side, and screw at the same height as the electrical outlet so it looks uniform. Or what do you think? Are there better alternatives? Can't find anything in Swedish hardware stores.
There are two network cables at the moment. I want to be able to remove/add cables as needed, so I prefer not to run the contactless cable through the wall. Plus, I don't want to mess with a punchdown tool, etc. But then it should work with a hole about 30 mm to ensure that two cables and one connector (both connectors don't need to go through at the same time) will fit through?I bought a couple of these:
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31IwZBg6+fL._SX355_.jpg
I don't know if they might be made for desk feedthrough, but it should work just as well to make a hole, cover it with one on each side, and screw at the same height as the electrical outlet so it looks uniform. Or what do you think? Are there better alternatives? Can't find anything in Swedish hardware stores.
It should work fine. Make a hole above the baseboard. If you know exactly where the old door was, drill about 15cm from the old frame, and you SHOULD miss the stud that is likely placed somewhere in the old hole...D danielwerner86 said:Thanks for the answers.
I've bought a couple of these:
[link]
I don't know if they might be made for desk grommets, but it should work just as well to make a hole, cover with one of these on each side, and screw them in at the same height as the electrical outlet so it looks uniform. Or what do you think? Are there better alternatives? I find nada in Swedish hardware stores.
How did you plan to make the fitting in the drywall for the penetration? And do you have any measurements for the penetration? I couldn't find any, even on the manufacturer's website. The risk is that if you drill a hole for the cables and then plan to screw the penetration into the wall, the distance between the cable hole and the screw holes will be very small -> the drywall will break. Gluing the penetration could perhaps be an alternative (but then it becomes much more difficult the day you want to redo the surface on either wall).