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How to Make a Hole in Plaster Walls

Plaster forms a hard, thick surface on the drywall beneath when compared to other wall coverings. In older walls, plaster was placed over a series of wooden lath pieces attached to the wall studs, while newer plaster coverings use a metal lath screen beneath for support. Even thin plaster veneers often use a metal lath and drywall combination to form its thick, hard-to-cut layer. When a hole is necessary, a reciprocating saw can make the cut you need. With a blade attached designed to cut through both wood and metal, the saw can cut through whatever material is present to create a smooth, clean cut placed precisely where it is wanted.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil
  • String compass or straightedge
  • Screwdriver
  • Hammer
  • Reciprocating saw
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mark the location of the hole you wish to make onto the plaster wall with a pencil. Use a string compass with the string set to the desired diameter of the circle if creating a circular opening. Use a straightedge to aid in creating straight lines for a squared opening. Double-check the location and size of the opening before making your cut.

    • 2

      Create a small hole as a starter location for your saw by placing the point of a screwdriver in the center of your penciled area and hitting the screwdriver; use moderate force with a hammer until you’ve broken through the plaster into the wall interior. Extend the hole with the hammer and screwdriver until you create a space that’s large enough to put the blade of a reciprocating saw through.

    • 3

      Push the blade of a reciprocating saw into the hole. Cut upward through the plaster and the lath beneath from the punched hole to the penciled line drawn on the wall. Follow along the penciled line with the saw, cutting through the plaster and into the wall interior. Keep your cut as shallow as possible to avoid cutting through any wires or pipes located within the walls.

    • 4

      Pull the cut plaster from the wall and dispose of the material.

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