Posted by: Bill T. on January 13, 2003 at 11:05. <br> <br> <br>If you are never supposed to nail into lathe and plaster walls for fear of causing cracks, how are picture rails attached to the walls? <br> <br>Bill <br> <br>

Posted by: John L on January 13, 2003 at 16:35. <br> <br>In Reply to: Picture Rail Conundrum posted by Bill T. on January 13, 2003 at 11:05. <br> <br> <br>Picture rail was originally installed by nailing it on top of the plaster into the studs behind, just like all the molding around your windows & doors. I have put up a lot of molding and picture rail in this same fashion. If your installing the picture rail close to the ceiling (with just enough gap to get the hangers into) you may find that the wall top plates were doubled. What this means is that you may have a second 2x4 running horizontally low enough to nail the rail into and you won't have to locate the studs. If you can get into the attic you may be able to tell. I would recommended that a nail gun be used to install the molding. They set the nails with a lot less vibration then driving them with a hammer. Also remember to use nails long enough to get through the lathe & plaster and into the studs behind. Depending on the molding and the thickness of the plaster I generally use at least a 2 to 2 1/2 inch finish nail. <br> <br>John L <br> <br> <br>

Posted by: Verona Jeff on January 13, 2003 at 14:54. <br> <br>In Reply to: Picture Rail Conundrum posted by Bill T. on January 13, 2003 at 11:05. <br> <br> <br>The main benefit is that the rails are nailed to the studs as Paul mentioned. This is done during construction (or renovation) when the stud locations are pretty much known. Now you can hang a picture centered over a piece of furniture or the mantel and not have to worry about finding a stud, or worse, opening a 1/2" diameter hole for a butterfly anchor. <br> <br> <br>

Posted by: Paul Ellenbogen on January 13, 2003 at 14:33. <br> <br>In Reply to: Picture Rail Conundrum posted by Bill T. on January 13, 2003 at 11:05. <br> <br> <br>>If you are never supposed to nail into lathe and plaster walls for fear of causing cracks, how are picture rails attached to the walls? <br> <br>>Bill <br> <br>The picture rail in our house seems is nailed through the plaster and lath to the studs-- big nails, but no cracks. <br> <br>Paul <br> <br>