The average TV in the United States is 55.5 inches. Visit any showroom, though, and you’ll see TVs topping out at 75-80 inches. Clearing shelf space for these big screens can be difficult so a lot of people turn to a wall mount.
Mounting a TV on the wall without studs can be accomplished using screw anchors, toggle anchors, and mounting plates. Look for hardware that is rated to hold the weight of the TV you plan to hang.
Hanging a TV on the wall is a gamechanger in a lot of homes. Read on to discover several options if you don’t have studs in the right place for mounting a TV on a wall.
Mounting a TV on the Wall without Studs
Deciding you want to free up space by hanging your TV on the wall is an easy decision. Making it happen is a fairly straightforward DIY project that requires careful thought and planning – and a partner.
To choose the correct mounting hardware for your situation, it’s important that you know a few things about your TV and wall before you get started.
- Weight of the TV: The TV’s weight determines the type of mounting hardware you should use. Anchors and mounting plates are designed to carry specific loads. Once you know how much your TV weighs, look for plates and anchors rated to hold that much weight.
- Condition of the wall: Even the best mounting equipment is no good if your wall is in poor condition. Old, crumbling drywall won’t be able to hold anchors or bolts in the proper position. This can lead to your TV taking a disastrous tumble.
- Type of Mount: TVs on the wall can be fixed or movable. Decide if you want the TV to stay in a fixed position or if you want to be able to tilt the TV from side to side or up and down.
TVs don’t have any built-in mechanism that allows them to be hung directly to the wall. You will need to purchase a separate bracket that fits your specific TV. How to mount that bracket to the wall without using studs is the real question so let’s talk about three strong options.
Screw Anchors
Screw anchors have large threads that spread the load of the TV by biting into the drywall. They are typically made of either plastic or metal. A metal screw anchor is an excellent choice to mount a TV. Look on the packaging to make sure the screw anchors you choose are rated to carry the TV’s weight.
Using a hammer, tap the anchors into place so that they align with the holes on the TV mounting bracket. Once the screw anchors are installed, you’ll position the mounting bracket and insert screws through the bracket holes and into the screw anchors. Tighten the screws snugly.
For an all-in-one screw anchor, checkout a wall dog. Instead of having a separate anchor and screw, the wall dog is a metal screw with large threads that acts as both the anchor and screw.
Toggle Anchors
Toggle anchors are different from screw anchors in that they spread the load against the back of the drywall. As toggle anchors are inserted into the drywall, a metal piece toggles or butterflies out against the back of the wall. This helps prevent the screw from simply pulling out of the wall.
Putting in a toggle anchor works the same as a screw anchor. Just install the number of anchors in the wall as needed, position the bracket in place, and screw into the anchors.
Mounting Plate
You may be concerned that anchors alone won’t be enough to support your TV on the wall, especially for larger units. That’s where a mounting plate comes in. A mounting plate spreads the TV’s weight across a wide expanse of wall for better support. Ready-made plates are usually metal, but you can also build your own using a piece of plywood or 2×4.
Installing a mounting plate without using studs is best done with screw anchors or toggle anchors. Either of these will provide the necessary strength to hold the plate to the wall and give you strong support for the TV.
Every wall has studs. So even though they may not be located exactly where you need them, you can use a mounting plate to span the gap between studs. To do this, use a stud finder to locate the studs and choose a mounting plate long enough to reach and attach to a stud on each end.
Also read: How High Should A TV Be Mounted?
