Fixing TVs onto Stud and Dry-Lined Plasterboard Walls

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Brief description: This blog tells you the possibility of fixing TVs onto the stud and dry-lined plasterboard walls. If you are having some doubts, read this.

Have you ever wondered whether you could fix your TV onto your stud and dry-lined plasterboard walls? Or wondered if this is even possible?

Well, then. Let us help you with that.

First things first before you begin any drilling getting out any tools I recommend using a metal finder to locate any cables or pipes that may be in the wall, the last thing you want is a TV looking lovely on a way but a flooded lounge.

I also recommend performing a risk assessment, especially if you are performing the task for someone else.

Let’s start by confirming that you can definitely fix your TV onto the stud and dry-lined plasterboard walls. It just has to be done correctly. If you have read some horror stories of £5000 TV falling off walls and smashing, this is almost certainly because it wasn’t put correctly in the first place. You just have to try some basic fixings and try to develop techniques in order for you to be certain about your safety and that of your TV. It is actually far easier to do this in the than it has been in the past given that the newly developed TVs have a lighter weight. You wouldn’t have to worry much about it.

For you to be successful in this endeavor, you must first find a strong foundation. One which could fully support the weight of your TV. For this, a professional quality mounting bracket should always be used. Personally I only use Ventry, B-Tech, Sanus or Peerless mounting brackets. Nowadays I usually refuse to use anything else as these are something that we are prepared to put our name to. The good ones will also allow you to adjust the level whilst the TV is on the wall!

You have to take note, though, that plasterboards are not the same, in fact, there are two types. There are plasterboards which are screwed into the wooden studs and there are those which are dry-lined or stuck with an adhesive to the brickwork. For each type, there is going to be separate ways in which you could fix your TV.

For the plasterboard walls which have been screwed into the wooden studs, you only have few choices about it. You can just look for the studs and screw it directly into them. The problem is finding them and whether they are actually in the right place for where you want the TV. It’s no good finding and fixing into the stud if it means the TV has to be mounted into a different position. A trick which can be used here is to cut a small portion of your plasterboard which is going to be hidden behind the TV and poke something like a rod inside which can be measured to reveal the stud positions. You can then screw directly into these.

You can also try another technique or a combination together with screwing into the studs. You can have your brackets inserted into the drilled holes in your plasterboard walls. You will then insert wall anchors which will then expand behind the wall with the position not too dissimilar to of spider legs. Many have recommended that the high quality versions of these kind can be rated at 25 kg for every anchor, however, it would also be wise of you to to not push this to the very limit.

In fact, there are many different types of plasterboard fixings on the market Grip-it is actually one of the best ones also and was made famous by its investment from Debra Meaden on BBC’s Dragons Den. If you are unfamiliar with this story I advise you read it as it is a really feel good story. A grandad created a product in his shed which his grandson now make a fortune from (link at bottom of blog).  If you are still unsure of doing this or if the TV itself is very heavy or is on a foldable arm. Then you may want to cut a section out of the plasterboard wall and install a section of Plywood into it fixed between the studs so that you can have a reliable area where you can confidently screw it into.

For dry-lined plasterboard walls, on the other hand, you can just identify which section of your wall you think is reliable enough for you to fix your TV. You will have to use longer screws or coach bolts, though, so that you can ensure safety. Then you have to fix it into the brickwork behind your TV providing this gap between the brickwork and plasterboard is not particularly big. Another reminder for this is that you should avoid screwing it in an as tight as possible because you might just break or crack your plasterboard. Although wall anchors are not suitable for this type of wall as they won’t fit behind it, GripIt fixings can be used as they do not penetrate deep behind the wall.

Now that you know these tricks, you can get your TV safely mounted onto your wall.

If you are still not confident in this task, please do not hesitate in contacting us or visiting our TV wall mounting packages which can be found here.

Useful links

Information on the following products mentioned in the blog can be found here:

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GripIt fixings - http://www.gripitfixings.co.uk/

Sanus Mounting Bracket - http://www.sanus.com/en_GB/

B –Tech Mounting brackets - http://www.btechavmounts.com/