can i mount my tv on the wall if its drywall?

[jimmy242]

i live in an apartment and have a 52" sony can i mount it on the wall my wall is made out of drywall is it going to be safe? and is it possible

[jorg]

it may be if you can locate the 2/4s that the dry wall is nailed onto, then find the main ones how hevey is tv? u mite wanan put wall mount on then weights and see lol

[nhaase]

You can as long as you place the mounts along the studs (the 2x4's that support the ceiling and make the wall rigid). In the US the standard for separation between studs is 16", but it is best if you rent or buy a good stud finder so you know for sure where the studs are.

Most importantly, before putting the TV on the mount, be sure to test the strength (you can always hang from it, I've done that).

[MrBogey]

Drywall alone is not enough. I was once ina store that had an entire shelf of CD's crash down because they relied on drywall anchors alone.

As said above, locate the 2x4 studs and sink at least a 3" lag bolt into it. I've seen TV's that were pretty large mounted this way. The studs as mentioned prior will be 16" center to center in a standard wall.

[blackpixels]

I'm sure that sets at least 100lbs - I would be sure to use good heavy duty anchors (I used approx #8 or #10 2-2-2/12" screws that hold well in the wood) You can also buy the metal tap anchors with screws and at the very least 4 of the studs should be used if possible. I hung shelf racks in my garage utilizing the studs and suprisingly it can hold a lot of weight. Remember to distribute the weight and be sure to use at least 4 studs. Spend $10-$20 bucks on a stud finder for sure.

[Ex Accountant]

Buy a wall mount. You can get one that is made for your size tv for about $55 from Amazon. Here's a link to the one I bought.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...d_i=B0009JR41U

[jimmy242]

Is it easy enough for me to mount it my self?

[Ex Accountant]

Is it easy enough for me to mount it my self?

If you have to ask, the answer is no. But don't be ashamed. I'm handyman-challenged, too. I had to have my brother-in-law come help me out. OK, so he was the one who did it and I basically just pulled a Vanna and turned the letters over.
Professional installers I spoke with can cost $500 or more to do it, but I'm sure you could find a reputable installer to do it for much cheaper. Just make sure it's done correctly, IN THE STUDS and with the wall mount. Otherwise, it just isn't safe.

[blackpixels]

Originally Posted by Ex Accountant

Buy a wall mount. You can get one that is made for your size tv for about $55 from Amazon. Here's a link to the one I bought.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...d_i=B0009JR41U

I'll sell ya the wall plate you need (with Tilt)...for less than that not including shipping.

[T-Town Oil]

You ought to be able to do it man....If you can use a stud finder and a level you will be alright. Just make sure you drill a pilot hole (small hole to get lag bolt started) before you try to install lag bolt (long heavy duty bolt that supports weight). It is at least worth a shot and if all comes out well you can take pride in a job well done. (And if you fail....well; just get another TV and hire someone)

[Goodguy818]

You can always buy a lcd/plasma tv stand that you can mount the tv on. They are kind of pricey though.

[WriteSimply]

The lesson of this thread: studs are good for mounting.


fuad

[Footloose301]

Wait a moment! I'm a construction manager for a large home builder in Southwest Florida. If you live in an apartment then most likely the studs are metal studs which you will NOT want to just "find the stud". If metal studs you will need to go to home depot and buy drywall mollies(sp?). They each hold 50lbs, so buy 4 of them. Also, I just bought the exact same tv mount that Best Buy and Circuit city sell for $150-200, but I bought it from ebay for $14.99 and trust me, its the EXACT same thing. Holds 200lbs. Search for the account "mountsprousa". I think if you add a .com to that its his website. If you buy from him it includes all the hardware you'll need and even the 1/2" lag bolts for wood studs. The one I bought even tilts 15deg.

Good luck!

[RUR]

Originally Posted by jimmy242

Is it easy enough for me to mount it my self?

It is if you follow the advice in this thread regarding studs and have a few basic tools. PM me if you wish and I'll walk you through the whole process.

[ascian]

OK, let's get first things first. A. If you live in an apartment, you have to have your landlord's permission before putting that big boy up on the wall. Secondly, it's simple enough to mount on the wall as described, but more than likely you do have metal studs as mentioned. A studfinder that does both is easy enough to come by at the hardware store. Metal studs aren't the end of the world though. Most are shaped as [--] with the wall being outside the brackets. There are a few different kinds, but you can get what I call a butterfly anchor and mount the TV using those. They also work on drywall, but metal studs are also fine.

The butterfly anchors are almost like a reverse clamp. You locate the metal studs, and drill as close to center as possible a hole for your anchor and bolt to slip through, then the anchor will spring out and grip against the stud. A few of these will easily hold the TV. They are rated for well over 200 pounds generally and if nothing else, I've done plenty with no problems. Leveling is the trickiest part.

If wood studs, then the bracket should have all the parts you need short of tools. Best Buy's Sanus brackets are nice. I recommend the ones that expand and tilt for that size tv (NOT PAN AND TILT). You will need it to be able to go wide enough to reach the arms on the back of the TV and need space to plug in your cables without pushing it off the wall and making the TV point up.

Determine location, determine height, find and mark studs, make sure bracket is wide enough for tv, place bracket on wall and match holes with studs, level, mark, drill pilots holes, mount the bracket with lag bolts and washers, put arms on tv for appropriate height, toss the TV up, level, plug in cables, test connections, put on safety bolts. Same thing pretty much for the metal studs, just determining bolt position is a little more tedious.

If you want your cables through the wall, that's easy enough, but I feel like I've typed a novel already.

[Footloose301]

Originally Posted by ascian

OK, let's get first things first. A. If you live in an apartment, you have to have your landlord's permission before putting that big boy up on the wall. Secondly, it's simple enough to mount on the wall as described, but more than likely you do have metal studs as mentioned. A studfinder that does both is easy enough to come by at the hardware store. Metal studs aren't the end of the world though. Most are shaped as [--] with the wall being outside the brackets. There are a few different kinds, but you can get what I call a butterfly anchor and mount the TV using those. They also work on drywall, but metal studs are also fine.

The butterfly anchors are almost like a reverse clamp. You locate the metal studs, and drill as close to center as possible a hole for your anchor and bolt to slip through, then the anchor will spring out and grip against the stud. A few of these will easily hold the TV. They are rated for well over 200 pounds generally and if nothing else, I've done plenty with no problems. Leveling is the trickiest part.

If wood studs, then the bracket should have all the parts you need short of tools. Best Buy's Sanus brackets are nice. I recommend the ones that expand and tilt for that size tv (NOT PAN AND TILT). You will need it to be able to go wide enough to reach the arms on the back of the TV and need space to plug in your cables without pushing it off the wall and making the TV point up.

Determine location, determine height, find and mark studs, make sure bracket is wide enough for tv, place bracket on wall and match holes with studs, level, mark, drill pilots holes, mount the bracket with lag bolts and washers, put arms on tv for appropriate height, toss the TV up, level, plug in cables, test connections, put on safety bolts. Same thing pretty much for the metal studs, just determining bolt position is a little more tedious.

If you want your cables through the wall, that's easy enough, but I feel like I've typed a novel already.

yep, those are the "mollies" I was talking about. Also, all of the metal studs I see everyday are shaped like [__] but regardless, I think that would be his safest bet is to use the anchors we just described.

but i still recommend buying the one I got from ebay, you'll save a ton of money and it is the EXACT EXACT EXACT EXACT same thing. you're only throwing your money away if you buy it from a walk in store.

[Footloose301]

Originally Posted by ascian

If you want your cables through the wall, that's easy enough, but I feel like I've typed a novel already.

Also, since he's in an apartment it would probably be best to buy the plastic track that I bought with 3M double sided tape and slide the wires thru there, tape to the wall, and then paint everything the same color as the wall. Otherwise if you want to make more holes then pop a hole in the wall behind the tv and then at the bottom right above the trim and pull wire. easy enough.

[CptGreedle]

Personally I don't understand why people want to hang their TV's on the wall. All the other coomponents still need to be in a stand, and the wires will either run up the wall to the TV, or have to be cut into the wall and go behind the wall and back out from the components to the TV. I never get why they put a perfect display with a wall mounted tv on ads, since they never show the wiring.
To do it right, it will take a lot more time, money, and effort than i think one person should have. But if you really want it, do it right... or better yet, pay someone to do it right and set everything up. That way they will be able to tell if it can be mounted or not.

[ascian]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

Personally I don't understand why people want to hang their TV's on the wall. All the other coomponents still need to be in a stand, and the wires will either run up the wall to the TV, or have to be cut into the wall and go behind the wall and back out from the components to the TV. I never get why they put a perfect display with a wall mounted tv on ads, since they never show the wiring.
To do it right, it will take a lot more time, money, and effort than i think one person should have. But if you really want it, do it right... or better yet, pay someone to do it right and set everything up. That way they will be able to tell if it can be mounted or not.

You don't have to put it on a stand. I wouldn't. I'd have it all hidden away. Of course I don't have a house, so the point is moot. I have however, done installation for years, so I certainly know what specifications my house will have when I finish school. And you really don't have to commit that much of an investment for a decent finish.

[T-Town Oil]

Hanging a plasma and hiding the wiring is not a difficult job at all if you just properly plan every aspect of it before you start. To me it is well worth it if you get it done right with no wiring visible and of course a level TV. Just take your time and dont get frustrated. I would still try it on my own first before hiring a contractor or something to do it. I say its not difficult because I am by no means Bob Vila with tools and I still have a setup that people ooo000 and ahhhh over. Good Luck!