Can a Wall Oven Be Built Into Sheetrock?

Support

• Ovens range in proportion and configuration from the small 35-pound microwave to large hybrid convection and conventional ovens at up to 400 pounds. Drywall is not a load-bearing building material, so providing proper support for any oven installed in a sheet rock wall is essential. Wall ovens are equipped with insulating material that minimizes the damage to their surroundings from heat. This means wooden studs are adequate support material for a wall oven. Special attention should be paid to stress areas where the oven will experience the most movement. These areas include the front, where the oven door will open and shut, and the back, where the oven is fastened to its power source.

Level

• Avoid placing additional stress on the drywall by ensuring the oven is installed on a level plane. This ensures the center of gravity is balanced and prevents the door from opening too quickly, causing distress to the drywall toward the front of the oven. Additionally, a level seat for the oven will prevent unnecessary stress on oven door hinges.

Allow Extra Inches

• The instructions for the installation of a wall oven come with not only the dimensions of the oven but also the installation dimensions, which are slightly larger and are calculated to create a comfortable chamber around the wall oven. When installing a wall oven in a drywall containment, add 4 extra inches onto the measurements around the oven. This extra space will allow you to add wooden supports that buttress and level the oven inside the wall.

Door Clearance

• As with all wall oven installations, allow enough clearance so that the door of the wall oven may open and shut without hindrance. Refrain from adding molding or other decorative surroundings that may impede the door and cause unnecessary stress to the drywall.