Do TV mounts have to be on studs?
Wow, back before 2000, other than in a bar, hospital, or hotel room, why would you need bracket for a TV mount?! When it comes to televisions, things have changed a lot the past 20 years, even the past 10 years. Everyday, something new is coming out with televisions it seems.
A television isn’t in a console or sitting on a TV stand anymore. They are bigger but yet lighter, and tv mount to drywalls today, with the wiring often hid in the wall behind it. If you’re the average person, you probably don’t know how a TV mounts to the wall, or how to wire it so the wiring doesn’t show. You may be asking “…. is tv mounting hard?”, as you watch the contractor installing and mounting yours.
Mounting tv can’t find studs is a common problem, but not one that can’t be worked around. Other methods of mounting a TV on a wall without studs can be done by any of these methods, keeping the TV’s size and weight in mind:
Molly Bolts or Toggle Anchors: When you don’t have wall studs, this is one of the best and easiest ways to get your TV mounted to the wall. Consider the size and weight of the TV and then find a molly bolt or anchor that matches the matching shape, size, and the type of wall you’re mounting the TV to.
These types of fasteners go direct through the wall then anchor to themselves on the back. The toggle at the end is what will prevent your TV from coming off, making this a sturdy option for a TV mount system. The wall is resistant to TV weight force and no, the wall won’t collapse or crumble.
- Mounting Plate: Another choice you may consider is a mounting plate that is installed with the toggle anchors described above. These are metal or plywood and have the option to use more anchors for security. This method has the least visual appeal and isn’t a popular choice for homes.
- The Ceiling: Not a common option, but it offers a touch of sophistication and no studs are needed, but you may need professional help for installing. A ceiling with beams are ideal for a TV mount, providing the same result that wall studs would. The ceiling height and TV weight need to be factored in before you move forward with this option.
What size screw do I need to mount my TV?
It is funny how when something new comes out, in this case, flat screen televisions and TV mounting, it creates the need for something else and to standardize the basics, like screws. If the TV mount you are installing has VESA screws, the bracket and screws will be universal.
What is VESA? Video Electronics Standards Association, the standard size that was created for the measurements or locations of the TV mount threaded screw holes of any brand LED TV are the same.
When the flat screen TV mount started, the diameter and thread of the screws were different for each manufacturer, thus making it difficult for you, or a professional, to do a TV mount. Today, they are required to be consistent within the industry, making life so much easier for us consumers!
So, the answer to your question is , measurements are metric, even in the United States. Depending on your TV mount size, you can cross-reference to the screw size needed:
| The Hole Pattern | The Screw Size |
| 75MM x 35MM | M4 X 8MM |
| 75MM X 75MM | M4 X 10MM |
| 100MM X 100MM | M4 X 10MM |
| 200MM X 200MM | M6 X 8MM |
Do TV wall mounts leave big holes? And Does mounting a TV damage the wall?
If you haven’t done a tv mount or stand for your new TV won’t work, the wall TV mount is the most obvious option. You need to use a wall with a solid wall stud because a regular drywall will not support the weight of a TV. Even with all the molly bolts and toggle anchors you use, it will in short time, fall off the wall. Yes, that will tear out the drywall with the TV mount, TV, and anchors or bolts.
What if you can’t find a wall stud? Then we recommend hiring a professional service for your TV mount project. It may be some money to spend, but its is better than having to replace the drywall and all that entails. When you have a professional do your TV mount, have them take it down should you move or want to move the TV mount. This will minimize any possible wall damage, and if there is wall damage, it will be their responsibility.
As we mentioned earlier all TV manufacturers adhere to the VESA screw, the universal screw that allows all TV mounting jobs to use the same size screw. You need to choose a wall that has wall studs or use any of the other methods we have reviewed here. The other option is to hire a professional to complete your TV mount project.
Another bonus about TVs today, you can choose a tilt tv mount vs full motion, which means, you can choose a fixed TV mount or a tilting TV mount, adjustable based on screen sizes between 19” and 65”. The main factor you need to be concerned with is the TV’s weight and whether your wall is going to be able to handle that without damaging the wall, or the TV if it falls. Call (631) 517-0021 today for help with TV mounts in Long Island, NY.