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Views: 100 Author: 深圳市博森威电气有限公司 Publish Time: 2026-10-15 Origin: BSUMWELL
If you are a renovation project contractor or construction worker, and are struggling with surface mounting on different wall types, this article will help you understand:
Brick wall, concrete wall, gypsum board wall, exterior wall——Four exposed wall mounting options.
Each type of wall Recommendations for fixing methods, sealing treatments, and materials.
Different types of walls Fastener Selection Quick Reference Table.
Common in procurement 4 installation issues.
This article was written by the BSUMWELL technical team. We are a manufacturer specializing in waterproof electrical enclosures, with products covering three major material series: PC/ABS plastic, stainless steel, and aluminum enclosures, with protection levels ranging from IP55 to IP68. We also support OEM/ODM customization.
The most distinctive feature of the renovation project is: The wall already exists; you can't change it.
New projects can have recessed boxes pre-installed before the walls are sealed, but renovation projects involve installation on existing walls. The type of wall directly determines this.
What tool should be used to drill the hole?
What kind of fasteners should be used?
How to perform sealing?
What material should I choose for the casing?
The wall is fixed, but the solution is flexible. Understanding the wall type is crucial for choosing the right surface mounting solution.
Regardless of the type of wall, surface-mounted solutions include three core elements:
element | illustrate | Determinants |
Fixing method | What type of anchor bolts should be used, and how should the holes be drilled? | Wall material and strength |
Sealing | Waterproof mounting holes, cable inlet orientation, cable drip bends | Waterproof rating requirements |
Material selection | Plastic, stainless steel, aluminum | Environmental corrosivity and budget |
Brick walls are the most common type of wall in renovation projects. Their characteristics are:
The surface hardness is acceptable, but it is brittle.
The mortar in old brick walls is worn out, making it prone to chipping when drilling.
The interior of a brick may be hollow (hollow brick) or solid (solid brick).
Challenges: Edges are prone to chipping during drilling, and improper selection of fasteners can lead to loosening.
project | illustrate |
Tool | Electric hammer + carbide drill bit |
Drill | The diameter is slightly smaller than the anchor bolt diameter (e.g., a 3/16-inch screw with a 5/32-inch drill bit). |
Drilling depth | At least 1/2 inch deeper than the anchor bolt. |
Qing Kong | Clean the dust with a blower or compressed air after drilling. |
Anchor bolts | Expansion anchors are used for solid bricks; hollow bricks are used with special hollow anchors. |
Note: Before drilling into old brick walls, use a center punch to create a groove to prevent the drill bit from slipping.
Waterproofing the mounting holes: Add waterproof gaskets or apply sealant to the mounting holes during installation.
With the cable inlet facing downwards, the cable enters from the bottom, preventing water from flowing along the cable.
Cable drip bend: If the cable must enter from the side, make a drip bend.
Brick walls are suitable for most surface-mounted enclosures:
PC/ABS plastic: Lightweight, suitable for general outdoor use.
Stainless steel: Suitable for coastal/chemical environments.
Aluminum: Suitable for equipment that requires heat dissipation.
Our surface-mount housing series all feature rear mounting holes, suitable for brick wall installation. [View the surface-mounted casing series]
Concrete walls have high strength and good durability, but drilling holes in them is difficult.
Need an impact drill or rotary hammer
Drill bits wear out quickly, requiring carbide drill bits.
High dust levels during drilling
Challenges: Drilling holes is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and the fasteners must be reliable.
project | illustrate |
Tool | Rotary Hammer |
Drill | Carbide drill bit, with a diameter slightly smaller than that of the anchor bolt. |
Anchor bolts | Sleeve anchors or chemical anchors |
Drilling depth | 1/2 inch longer than the anchor bolt burial depth |
Qing Kong | The dust must be thoroughly removed, otherwise the anchor bolts will not have sufficient holding power. |
Waterproofing of fixing holes: Add waterproof gaskets or sealant.
Wall crack inspection: Concrete walls may have cracks. Inspect them before installation to prevent water from seeping in through the cracks.
Concrete walls have high load-bearing capacity and are suitable for heavier exterior walls.
Stainless steel: heavy-duty and highly corrosion resistant.
Aluminum: Lightweight yet strong.
PC/ABS plastic: lightweight, suitable for general environments.
Our stainless steel and aluminum housings are suitable for surface mounting on concrete walls. [[View Stainless Steel Casing Series]
Dry wall (plasterboard walls) is commonly used in interior renovation projects.
Low strength, cannot bear direct weight.
Ordinary screws are prone to loosening on drywall.
Not suitable for heavy-duty enclosures
Challenges: Specialized anchor bolts are required, and the casing must be lightweight.
project | illustrate |
Anchor bolts | Hollow wall anchors or toggle bolts. |
Notice | Do not use ordinary clip-on old work boxes, as they have poor load-bearing capacity and are prone to falling off. |
Load limit | Individual anchor bolts have limited load-bearing capacity; heavy-duty housings need to be secured to the keel or have a backing plate added. |
Drywall walls are generally not waterproof, but if the environment is humid:
Apply sealant to the fixing holes
Cable inlet facing downwards
Choose an enclosure with an IP65 or higher rating.
Plasterboard walls must be fitted with lightweight outer shells:
PC/ABS plastic: Lightest, suitable for drywall walls.
Aluminum: Lightweight and stronger than plastic.
Our PC/ABS plastic casing weighs only 1/3 the weight of stainless steel (based on industry-standard data comparing products of the same size), making it suitable for installation on drywall walls. [View PC/ABS plastic housing series]
Exterior wall renovation must adhere to one principle:The original waterproof layer must not be damaged.
Hidden installation in slots is strictly prohibited.
When surface mounting, the mounting holes should not penetrate the interior of the enclosure.
All perforations must be waterproofed.
Rear mounting holes: Mounted through mounting holes on the back of the housing without penetrating the internal sealed cavity.
Independent bracket: The outer casing is fixed to the wall with a bracket, and the outer casing does not directly contact the wall.
Fasteners: Stainless steel expansion bolts, with waterproof washers at the mounting holes.
Waterproofing of mounting holes: Add a waterproof gasket or apply sealant to each mounting hole.
Cable inlet facing down: The cable enters from the bottom.
Cable drip bend: A drip bend is made when the cable enters from the side.
Cable Gland: Use waterproof cable connectors.
The external wall environment is harsh; corrosion-resistant materials are recommended.
316 stainless steel: the first choice for coastal areas and chemical industries.
Aluminum (ocean-grade coating): Lightweight + corrosion resistant.
UV-resistant PC/ABS: General outdoor use.
Our stainless steel and aluminum housings are suitable for surface mounting on exterior walls, with protection ratings of IP65–IP68. [View the full range of exposed waterproof casings]
How do I use this table?
Confirm your wall type
Find the corresponding fasteners and tools in the table.
Inspection Precautions
For product selection support, please contact the technical team.
Wall type | Recommended fasteners | Required tools | Precautions |
Solid brick wall | Expansion anchors | Electric hammer + carbide drill bit | First, punch a dent in the center to prevent slippage. |
Hollow brick wall | Hollow-core special anchors | Electric hammer + carbide drill bit | Avoid using ordinary expansion bolts, as they may loosen. |
Concrete wall | Casing anchors or chemical anchors | Rotary hammer | Thoroughly clean away dust to ensure grip strength. |
Plasterboard wall | Hollow wall special anchors or flip bolts | electric drill | To avoid heavy loads, prioritize lightweight casings. |
Exterior wall/ waterproof wall | Stainless steel expansion bolts + waterproof washers | Electric hammer | The mounting holes must be waterproofed. |
Conclusion: Different wall types require different fasteners, and choosing the right fasteners is the first step to successful surface mounting.
A: First, use a center punch to create a small indentation, then use a small-diameter drill bit to pre-drill a guide hole, and finally switch to the final-size drill bit. Use low speed and high torque; do not push too hard.
A: Using a rotary hammer is much more efficient than a regular impact drill. The drill bit must be made of carbide and replaced promptly when worn.
A: Not recommended. Stainless steel casings are too heavy, and plasterboard walls cannot bear the weight. We suggest choosing a PC/ABS plastic casing, which is the lightest, and using anchors specifically designed for hollow walls.
A: The mounting holes for the surface-mounted enclosure do not penetrate the interior of the enclosure. During installation, add waterproof gaskets or sealant to the mounting holes to prevent water from entering the enclosure. The cable inlet should face downwards, and the cable should be positioned in a drip bend.
A: We can provide matching installation accessories, including stainless steel expansion bolts, waterproof washers, cable glands, etc. Specific accessories will depend on the wall type and project requirements. [Contact us for installation parts suggestions.]
Wall type determines surface mounting scheme— Brick walls, concrete, gypsum board, and exterior walls each have their own fixing methods.
Three elements of fixing method— Drill bit selection, anchor bolt type, hole cleaning.
Three key elements of sealing treatment— Waterproof mounting holes, cable inlet facing downwards, and drip bend.
Material selection— PC/ABS (lightest) is used for gypsum board walls, and stainless steel/aluminum (corrosion resistant) is used for exterior walls.
We offer a full range of surface-mounted enclosures—IP55–IP68, three materials are available, and matching installation accessories are available.
(Previous article: Waterproofing confirmed? Please read the second article in this series, "For...")Which waterproofing renovation projects absolutely require exposed installation? — The hidden dangers of concealed waterproofing and the solutions for exposed installation.》。
Next article preview: Wall type decided? A final cost comparison of exposed vs. concealed wall installations—construction time, labor, and overall cost—please read the fourth article in this series, "Exposed vs. Concealed Wall Installation Cost Comparison: Why can exposed installations save 40%-60%?"
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