How do you avoid this on screwless switches and sockets?

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Hi all,
Please refer to photos. I would rather have screws showing then a fat dark line around the switches and sockets!

20200506_170412849_iOS.jpg
20200506_170420255_iOS.jpg
 
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It's the type of back box that they have used. They've used...

ae235


Which are intended for retro-fit only. When the wall was being built, they should have used....

ae235


...screwed to a nogging. You can see that the plastic one has a big flange around the perimeter, causing accessories to not fit flat to the wall. If you can get the box out without damaging the plasterboard, you can try trimming about 2mm off the flange (assuming the hole in the board has been cut accurately) with tin snips. This definitely works with 'normal' accessories, would need to see the back of that light switch to be able to tell if it will work for you. i.e. is there a recess that can fit over the remaining flange.
 
It's the type of back box that they have used. They've used...

ae235


Which are intended for retro-fit only. When the wall was being built, they should have used....

ae235


...screwed to a nogging. You can see that the plastic one has a big flange around the perimeter, causing accessories to not fit flat to the wall. If you can get the box out without damaging the plasterboard, you can try trimming about 2mm off the flange (assuming the hole in the board has been cut accurately) with tin snips. This definitely works with 'normal' accessories, would need to see the back of that light switch to be able to tell if it will work for you. i.e. is there a recess that can fit over the remaining flange.


Thanks for the details. I fitted them myself. Its a plasterboard wall so thought those boxes were the norm.

Those pics are the worse and only switches in plasterboard. All others are in solid wall with metal backboxes such as the one below. Its not as bad but sticks out like a sore thumb.

20200506_173823776_iOS.jpg
20200506_173830298_iOS.jpg
 
It's the type of back box that they have used. They've used...

ae235


Which are intended for retro-fit only. When the wall was being built, they should have used....

ae235


...screwed to a nogging. You can see that the plastic one has a big flange around the perimeter, causing accessories to not fit flat to the wall. If you can get the box out without damaging the plasterboard, you can try trimming about 2mm off the flange (assuming the hole in the board has been cut accurately) with tin snips. This definitely works with 'normal' accessories, would need to see the back of that light switch to be able to tell if it will work for you. i.e. is there a recess that can fit over the remaining flange.
20200506_174057865_iOS.jpg
 
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Oh, I see, sorry, the part showing is the transparent bit which is part of the switch? I.e its the same dimensions as the front cover and therefore can't be hidden?
 
Oh, I see, sorry, the part showing is the transparent bit which is part of the switch? I.e its the same dimensions as the front cover and therefore can't be hidden?
Yes exactly. These are Varilight ones. I thought they were premium so I didn't have any concerns.

Maybe I can paint the clear plastic part with the wall?
 
I'm sure it would look 50 times better if the paint was cleaned off the clear bit.
 
You can remove the plastic bit to help sit closer
 
Why not?

Ours were the same so broke it off so they fit flush.
 

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Are these any good to you?
 

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