Installation

The critical first step is to determine whether or not your walls can accommodate a shrine.  The easiest way to check is to remove a switchplate on an interior wall.  There will be a gap around the electrical box, which is why God created switchplates.  (Photo at right shows an exceptionally sloppy example.)  Here you can see a cross section of the wall covering.  Any exposed wiring will be inside the electrical box.  Don't stick your fingers or anything else in the box.  However, a bamboo skewer or thin strip of plastic can often be used to gauge the wall depth outside of the box.  (Something non-conductive, please.)  With 1/2" sheetrock covering a nominal 2" by 4" stud wall, the depth from the surface should be 4"

Interior walls are best for shrine placement, though exterior walls can be used if you are willing to move a bit of insulation around and lose that much thermal protection.  Walls above or below plumbing fixtures are likely to contain piping runs and should be avoided.