As mentioned earlier the wall stud is where the wooden lath attaches to the wooden frame behind the plaster.
Hanging pictures on plaster lath walls.
Hanging things on plaster walls is easy if you have a drill and screws.
You may not notice the damage but as plaster comes loose from the lath it will eventually begin to sag and soon fall off the wall if the sagging continues unchecked.
How to hang heavy things on plaster walls using a wall stud.
If the pictures are small and equipped with a wire on the back use a small picture hook and nail.
Plaster walls have a tendency to crack and crumble if you attempt to hammer a nail directly into the wall.
Therefore it s the strongest part of the wall and the ideal place to hang pictures from.
With proper technique hanging pictures on a lath and plaster wall isn t a problem.
Generally speaking it s best to hang heavy pictures on a wall stud.
All you need to do is pre drill a hole slightly narrower than your screws then use the drill to drive a screw into the hole.
It s difficult to tap in a nail that is long enough to reach a stud without cracking the plaster off the lath.
Adhesive picture hooks are the best way to prevent damage when hanging a picture but pre drilling the hole will usually prevent cracks and chips from forming as well.