Aug 26
26
Yes, you can mount a TV on a plasterboard wall, but the installation needs to be approached correctly.
The important question isn’t simply whether the wall has plasterboard on it. You need to know what is behind the plasterboard, how the wall has been constructed, how heavy the television and bracket are, and which fixings are suitable for that particular wall.
A lightweight television on a fixed bracket presents a very different load from a large TV attached to an extending cantilever bracket.
Get the installation wrong and you could damage the plasterboard, pull the fixings from the wall or, in the worst case, have the television come away completely.
Here’s what you need to know before mounting a TV on a plasterboard wall.
Can a Plasterboard Wall Hold a TV?
In many cases, yes.
Plasterboard is used throughout UK homes, including modern houses, extensions, loft conversions and internal partition walls. TVs are routinely mounted successfully on these walls.
However, the plasterboard itself isn’t always what ultimately supports the television.
Depending on the construction of the wall, the bracket may be fixed into:
- Timber studs behind the plasterboard.
- Metal studs.
- Solid brick or blockwork behind a dot-and-dab plasterboard finish.
- Plywood or OSB reinforcement installed behind the board.
- Purpose-designed heavy-duty plasterboard fixings.
Which method is appropriate depends on the wall.
This is why simply buying a packet of plasterboard plugs and assuming they will be strong enough isn’t a good approach.
First, Find Out What Type of Wall You Have
Walls that appear identical from inside the room can be constructed very differently.
Before drilling, you need to establish what is behind the plasterboard.
Timber Stud Wall
A timber stud wall normally consists of vertical timber studs with plasterboard attached to them.
Where possible, securing the TV bracket directly into suitable timber studs can provide a strong mounting point.
The challenge is that the bracket mounting holes and the stud positions don’t always line up conveniently.
Stud spacing can also vary, particularly in older properties or walls that have been altered.
Metal Stud Wall
Some partition walls use metal rather than timber studs.
These require a different fixing approach because you cannot treat a thin metal stud in the same way as substantial timber.
The construction of the wall and the loads involved need to be assessed before selecting the fixing method.
Dot-and-Dab Plasterboard
A wall can look like a stud wall when it actually has plasterboard attached to a solid masonry wall using adhesive.
This construction is commonly known as dot and dab.
There will normally be a gap between the face of the plasterboard and the brick or block behind it.
A suitable fixing needs to deal with that gap and anchor securely into the structural wall behind.
Specialist fixings are manufactured specifically for this purpose. Fischer, for example, produces dot-and-dab fixings intended for applications including TV brackets and other heavy attachments.
Reinforced Plasterboard Wall
If the wall was designed with a television installation in mind, there may be plywood, OSB or additional timber positioned behind the plasterboard.
This can make mounting considerably easier because the bracket can be secured into the reinforcement rather than relying solely on the plasterboard.
It is increasingly common for this to be planned during renovations and new installations.
Can You Fix a TV Directly to Plasterboard?
It can sometimes be possible to install a TV bracket using specialist cavity fixings designed for plasterboard.
However, the correct fixing must be selected for the board thickness, cavity depth, bracket and expected load.
Not all plasterboard fixings are suitable for television mounting.
Some lightweight fixings are intended for items such as pictures, small shelves or accessories rather than heavy equipment.
Manufacturers now produce specialist cavity fixings specifically listing TV mounts among their intended applications. For example, Fischer’s DuoHM cavity fixing is designed for plasterboard and other panel materials and works by expanding behind the board.
That doesn’t mean every TV can safely be attached to any plasterboard wall using that particular product. The fixing manufacturer’s load data, the number and positioning of fixings, the condition of the board and the forces created by the bracket all need to be considered.
TV Weight Matters, but It Isn’t the Only Factor
One of the first things to establish is the weight of the television.
Modern TVs are often considerably lighter than older plasma screens, but large models can still place substantial loads on a wall.
You also need to include the weight of the mounting bracket.
However, simply adding the weight of the TV and bracket doesn’t tell the whole story.
The way the bracket holds the television can dramatically affect the forces being placed on the wall.
Flat Bracket vs Cantilever Bracket
The type of TV bracket is particularly important when mounting onto plasterboard.
Flat-to-Wall Brackets
A flat bracket keeps the television relatively close to the wall.
This generally creates less leverage on the wall fixings than a bracket that projects significantly into the room.
Where the wall construction and fixings are suitable, this can make a flat bracket a more straightforward option.
Tilting Brackets
A tilting bracket allows the screen angle to be adjusted vertically.
It projects slightly further from the wall and introduces different forces than a completely fixed bracket, although usually much less than a fully extending arm.
Cantilever and Full-Motion Brackets
A cantilever bracket allows the TV to be pulled away from the wall, turned and repositioned.
These are extremely useful, but they require careful installation.
When the TV is extended away from the wall, it acts like a lever. This can place considerably greater pulling force on the upper fixings than when the same television is mounted close to the wall.
That makes wall construction particularly important.
A fixing method that may be appropriate for a lightweight flat installation isn’t automatically appropriate for a large television on an extending arm.
Why You Shouldn’t Rely on TV Screen Size Alone
People often ask whether a plasterboard wall can support a 50-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch or 75-inch television.
Screen size by itself isn’t enough information.
Two TVs with identical screen sizes can have different weights.
The bracket design can also make a substantial difference.
You should therefore check:
- The actual television weight.
- The bracket weight.
- The bracket’s maximum supported load.
- Whether it is fixed, tilting or extending.
- The wall construction.
- The fixing manufacturer’s specifications.
- The condition and thickness of the plasterboard.
A professional installer will assess the complete installation rather than relying on screen size alone.
Choosing the Correct TV Bracket
The bracket needs to be compatible with both your television and the intended installation.
Most modern televisions use mounting holes based on the VESA Flat Display Mounting Interface standard. VESA defines standardised mounting interfaces used by display and mounting manufacturers.
Your television manual should give its VESA mounting dimensions.
A bracket might be described using measurements such as:
- 200 x 200 mm.
- 300 x 300 mm.
- 400 x 400 mm.
- 600 x 400 mm.
You should also check the bracket’s stated maximum weight capacity.
Don’t assume that a bracket is suitable simply because the mounting holes line up.
How Do You Find the Studs Behind Plasterboard?
There are several ways an installer can investigate the structure behind a plasterboard wall.
A stud detector can be useful, although results should be interpreted carefully because pipes, cables, metal components and other materials can sometimes produce misleading readings.
Other clues can include:
- Existing screw positions.
- Electrical socket locations.
- Differences in sound when tapping the wall.
- Known construction plans.
- Careful investigation through an appropriate location.
Finding a stud isn’t the only consideration. You also need to know whether it is suitable and positioned correctly for the bracket.
Watch Out for Pipes and Electrical Cables
One of the biggest risks when drilling into any wall is hitting something hidden behind it.
Plasterboard walls can contain:
- Electrical cables.
- Water pipes.
- Central-heating pipes.
- Data cables.
- Aerial cables.
- Other services.
Particular care is required around electrical sockets, switches and plumbing.
Never assume an apparently empty section of wall contains nothing.
This is another reason why TV mounting involves more than simply making four holes and inserting wall plugs.
What About Mounting a TV Above a Fireplace?
A television can sometimes be mounted on a plasterboard chimney breast or above a fireplace, but the installation deserves additional consideration.
You need to think about:
- Wall construction.
- Heat from the fireplace.
- Viewing height.
- Cable routes.
- Power supply.
- Bracket type.
- The weight of the television.
Heat is particularly important.
Television manufacturers specify operating temperature limits, so a TV shouldn’t be installed where heat from a fire could expose it to temperatures outside the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Viewing comfort matters too. A television positioned too high can become uncomfortable to watch for long periods.
Should You Use a Larger TV Bracket on a Stud Wall?
Sometimes spreading the fixing points over a wider area can be beneficial.
WeFitAerials notes in its own guidance that the approach to mounting a television on a stud wall depends on the size and weight of the TV, and that a larger bracket may sometimes be used to spread the load over a greater area.
This can also make it easier to reach structural fixing points behind the plasterboard.
However, bracket selection should still be based on the particular wall and TV rather than using an oversized bracket as a universal solution.
What If the Studs Don’t Line Up With the TV Position?
This is a common problem.
You might want the television perfectly centred on a chimney breast, feature wall or piece of furniture, but the structural studs behind the wall aren’t in convenient positions.
There are several possible solutions depending on the construction.
These might involve:
- Using a wider mounting plate.
- Adding suitable reinforcement.
- Fixing into appropriate structural points.
- Using purpose-designed heavy-duty cavity fixings where appropriate.
- Using the masonry behind a dot-and-dab wall.
The correct solution depends on what is actually behind the plasterboard.
Avoid simply moving the fixings to weaker positions because they make the television easier to centre.
Can You Hide TV Cables in a Plasterboard Wall?
Plasterboard walls can sometimes make cable concealment easier because a cavity may exist behind the board.
However, that doesn’t mean every cable can simply be dropped inside the wall.
Power cables and electrical installations need to comply with the appropriate electrical requirements.
WeFitAerials provides basic cable management as part of its TV wall mounting service but states that it does not undertake electrical work. Hidden wiring is also subject to the circumstances of the installation.
Surface-mounted trunking can provide a neat alternative when chasing or concealing cables isn’t appropriate.
Plan Your Connections Before Mounting the TV
Once a large TV is securely attached close to a wall, getting behind it can become awkward.
Before mounting, consider every connection you may need.
These could include:
- TV aerial.
- Satellite cable.
- Ethernet.
- HDMI.
- Soundbar connection.
- Games consoles.
- Streaming devices.
- USB devices.
It is much easier to plan these before the television is installed than to discover afterwards that the HDMI socket you need is almost impossible to reach.
Is It Safe to Mount a Large TV on Plasterboard?
It can be, provided the installation has been designed for the particular wall and television.
The important distinction is between saying “a large TV can be mounted on plasterboard” and “a large TV can be attached anywhere using ordinary plasterboard fixings”.
They are not the same thing.
For a heavier television, an installer may decide that the load should be transferred into timber studs, reinforcement or the masonry behind the plasterboard.
An extending cantilever bracket may also require a different solution from a flat bracket carrying the same TV.
Signs You Should Get Professional Help
Consider using a professional installer if:
- You don’t know what type of wall you have.
- The TV is particularly large or heavy.
- You want a cantilever or full-motion bracket.
- You cannot locate suitable studs.
- The wall appears damaged.
- You suspect it is dot-and-dab construction.
- There are sockets, pipes or other services nearby.
- You want the TV positioned in a very specific location.
- The existing bracket is pulling away from the wall.
- You aren’t certain which fixings are suitable.
The cost of professional installation is relatively small compared with the cost of replacing a damaged television or repairing a wall after a failed mounting.
What Does Professional TV Wall Mounting Involve?
A good installation should begin with the wall rather than the bracket.
At WeFitAerials, the TV wall mounting service includes an initial installation assessment and a survey of the room and wall to make sure the proposed location is suitable.
The installation can then include:
- Checking the proposed TV position.
- Assessing the wall.
- Installing a suitable TV bracket.
- Securely mounting the television.
- Basic cable management.
- TV tuning and setup.
- Connecting the television to an aerial or satellite system where required.
WeFitAerials can supply a suitable bracket or install a compatible bracket provided by the customer.
Can You Mount a TV on Plasterboard? The Bottom Line
Yes, TVs can be safely mounted on plasterboard walls every day.
The key is identifying what the wall is made from and choosing a fixing method appropriate for the TV, bracket and structure.
A timber stud wall, metal stud partition, reinforced wall and dot-and-dab masonry wall might all look like the same plasterboard surface from inside the room, but they can require completely different installation methods.
The safest approach is therefore not to ask simply whether plasterboard can hold your television.
Ask whether your particular wall, bracket, fixings and television have been assessed as a complete system.
Need Your TV Wall Mounted?
If you’ve bought a new television and want it securely mounted on a plasterboard, stud or solid wall, WeFitAerials provides professional TV wall mounting services.
We can assess the wall, check the TV and bracket, choose an appropriate mounting method and install the television safely in the position you want.
We can also tune and set up your TV and connect it to your existing aerial or satellite system where required.
Whether you’re mounting a new smart TV in the living room, adding a bedroom television or replacing an older screen, getting the wall fixing right is the most important part of the job.
