Wiremold NM3 Surface-Mount Outlet Box: The Zero-Demo Solution

Skip the reciprocating saw. The Wiremold NM3 gives you a 1-gang outlet box that mounts directly to the wall surface — no cutting into drywall, no fishing wires through studs, no patching afterward.

At 1-7/16” x 1-7/16” x 1-3/8” deep, this rigid thermoplastic box accepts standard commercial-grade devices including dimmer switches. The zero-knockout design means you drill exactly where you need the cable entry — no pre-punched holes dictating your wire routing.

Worth it for remodel jobs where opening walls isn’t an option. Historic buildings in Kalispell and Stevensville where you can’t touch the original plaster. Finished basements where the drywall’s already up and the homeowner doesn’t want dust everywhere. The surface-mount design avoids cutting into the wall entirely.

Installation Specs and Real-World Application

The box comes with 4 mounting screws (6-32 x 1.25) and features an ivory finish. No knockouts means total flexibility — drill your cable entry points based on the actual wire path, not where some engineer in Connecticut thought they should go.

The NM3 accepts most commercial-grade wiring devices, standard size switches and outlets, and dimmer switches. That dimmer compatibility matters. Lots of surface boxes won’t fit the deeper bodies on modern LED dimmers. This one will.

Specification	Value
Length	1-7/16” (1.44”)
Height	1-7/16” (1.44”)
Depth	1-3/8” (1.38”)
Material	Rigid thermoplastic
Knockouts	0 (user-drilled)
Color	Ivory
Included hardware	4 screws (6-32 x 1.25)

Comparing Surface-Mount Options

Wiremold offers metal alternatives like the B2D Metal 1-in Outlet Box Kit, but the NM3 is plastic. That plastic construction isn’t a compromise — it’s an advantage for drilling custom cable entries. Try drilling a clean hole through a metal box without deburring tools.

Other Wiremold alternatives include the V5748 Single-Gang Switch/Receptacle Box and the 700 Series Single Gang Switch and Receptacle Box. But for straightforward surface mounting with maximum flexibility, the NM3 hits the sweet spot.

Customer ratings run from 4.6 to 5.0 stars across multiple retailers, with review counts ranging from single reviews to 37 on the Walmart Ivory Outlet Kit version. Small review counts, but the consistency matters — nobody’s complaining about basic functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the actual usable depth inside the NM3 box? The box measures 1-3/8” deep externally. Factor in the wall thickness of the thermoplastic and you’re looking at roughly 1-1/4” of usable space — enough for most devices but check your dimmer specs.

Can this ivory plastic be painted to match walls? The box features an ivory finish in rigid thermoplastic. Most plastics take paint poorly without proper prep. Better to use the matching ivory cover plate and call it good.

Why choose the NM3 over cutting in a standard box? Surface-mount design avoids cutting into the wall. Perfect for historic buildings, finished spaces, or anywhere you need power without demolition. The trade-off is visibility — it sits proud of the wall surface.

Does the zero-knockout design meet code? The 0-knockout configuration gives flexibility for user-drilled openings. You create properly-sized holes for your specific cable or conduit. Just use appropriate connectors to maintain the installation’s integrity.