TV mounts are specially designed in a way that they require studs for proper installation.
However, there are a few walls that do not require wood studs for installation. Plaster walls are an example of that.
Stick around are learn the proper way of installing a TV on a plaster wall without studs.
Quick summary
The following information will be discussed in the article:
- How to mount a TV on a plaster wall?
- Important things to keep in mind when mounting on plaster wall.
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Mount a TV on a Plaster Wall?
The easiest way of installing a TV on a wall with no studs is to use wall anchors. This will ensure that the screws do not slip out of the drilled holes.
Moreover, they are very easy to use.
There are two common mounting anchors known as Toggles and Molly bolts.
Toggles
There are two main categories of toggles used for installation. The following are the types:
Toggle Bolts
Toggle-bolts are also known as butterfly anchors or toggle anchors. The only difference they have from common screws is that they have wings at the end.
Once in a hallow wall these wings open and brace against it. This is why it is really hard to pull these out of plaster walls.
The disadvantage of these bolts is that you have to attach the item to the bolt head before drilling.
Once these are drilled in, you can not go back. These toggle bolts are preferable for any kind of wall hooks.
Strap Toggles
These strap toggles are also known as zip toggles depending on the brand type. These straps are made up of plastic and have a metal wing at one end while a locking mechanism on the other hand.
Strap toggles can be used by both professionals and non-professionals. They also do not require any large holes in the plaster walls.
How to Mount a TV on Plaster Wall Using Toggles?
- Use the TV mount as a template for where to mark and place it on the wall.
- Ensure that the mount is accurately leveled using a high-quality level.
- Draw light marks on the wall using a marker or pencil.
- Drill holes using a drill bit that is as large as the toggles when folded.
- Put the folded strap toggle in the hole and then unfold it.
- Slide the small plate against the wall.
- Press on the plate and pull back on the legs to ensure that no rotation occurs.
- To break the legs bend down on them. This would be confirmed with a snapping sound.
- Hang the TV mount on the wall and make sure that the holes are lined up with the toggle straps.
- Screw in the bolts to fasten the wall bracket. Beforehand you may need to use some washers.
- Install the wall bracket to the back of the TV and secure it.
- Take the help of a friend or partner to pick the TV up. Lastly, hang the TV on the mount and properly secure it.
Molly Bolts
Molly bolts are another common way of mounting a TV on a plaster wall where you can not find studs. These bolts consist of two parts. The first is the thread and the second is a screw inside it.
There are two variants of these bolts:
Pointed Ones
A pointed Molly bolt has a very sharp tip. This ensures that you do not need a hole or studs in the wall beforehand. You just have to use a hammer and tap these bolts inside the wall.
Non-Pointed Ones
Non-pointed bolts on the other hand do not have a sharp tip. For this reason, you need to drill a hole in the wall beforehand.
This is the preferred option for plaster walls as hammering into these walls may damage them.
How to Mount TV in Plaster Wall Using Molly Bolts?
- First, place the TV mount on the wall.
- Mark the spots using a pencil where you plan to drill the holes.
- Drill holes in the wall using a drill bit the exact size of the Molly bolts.
- Then push the Molly bolts into these holes. You will find small teeth at the head end of these bolts. These teeth ensure that the bolt does not spin.
- Tighten the screw. Once the sleeve behind the wall starts to expand you will hear a clicking sound.
- Once it is fully tightened, untighten it. You will notice that it comes off the wall while the other part is still secured inside the first hole.
- Repeat the same step on other marks.
- Put your TV mount against these holes and install it.
- On the backside of the TV, install the back brackets.
- Take the help of a friend to lift the TV up and hang it to the wall mount. Make sure to properly secure it.
Important Things to Keep in Mind When Installing on Plaster Wall.
Before you plan to start the process, we recommend that you carefully read the following factors.
There is some initial work required before you get your new TV mounted.
Condition of the Wall
The plaster wall should be in the finest condition for any kind of anchors to work on them. In old houses where the walls are in crumbling condition, might break during the drilling stage.
Even if the wall stays fine during the drilling process, it can still break off once the TV is installed onto it. Moreover, if you see a slight bend in the wall after the TV is installed, you should immediately remove it as it can give you a lot of trouble later on.
Weight of the TV
You must know the exact TV’s weight before you buy anchors for it. You can check the weight on the back of the box or if you are buying it online, you can find the information in the product description section.
Once you have figured out the weight, you can buy anchors with the right load capacity from the local hardware store. Similarly, you can use bolts to easily mount the TV without studs as well.
The Type of TV Mount
It is necessary to know the weight and the size of the flat-screen TV for which you will be purchasing a TV mount. You have the option of going for either a fixed or a tilting mount. Each of the types comes with its own set of screws and hardware.
However, you might need to buy a new set of larger screws as mostly the default ones are made for wall studs.
Which type of mount is the most suitable for plaster walls?
It should be noted that if you buy a tilting mount for your plaster wall, you should not use it at full motion. Doing this will put extra pressure on your wall and the anchor points. This can cause the TV to fall off and waste thousands of dollars.
It is advisable to use a fixed wall bracket for a plaster wall instead as it is comparatively safer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you mount a TV on a plaster wall without studs?
A toggle anchor or a toggle bolt is considered to be the best way for mounting a TV on a plaster wall with no studs. You require a hollow wall anchor that is similar to a regular screw. It should also have a butterfly toggle at the end.
Once these pieces are attached to the wall, they can easily attach to the back of the mounting TV.
How do you know if your wall can hold a TV?
The first step is to use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall. This will also determine where you can hang the TV. It is recommended to not use drywall anchors to hang the TV.
After some time the anchors will get pulled from the drywall and the TV will end up on the ground damaged.
Do stud finders work through plaster?
A stud detector is used to detect the change in density inside a wall. For this reason, they usually do not work on dry-lined plasterboard walls. This happens because the density inside dry-lined plasterboard walls is not constant.
If you have moved into an old home and you see your stud finder not working, we recommend that you go for a metal scanner instead to find the studs hanging.
How much weight can a plaster wall hold?
Usually, every 12×12 inch span of 0.5-inch drywall can hold a maximum weight of 40 pounds. This weight is considered as if it is hanging from the ceiling. The other type of load is known as shear or pull-down load.
Wrapping Things Up
You now have learned the simplest way of mounting a TV on a plaster wall. This type of mounting requires no use of studs and can be done using anchors.
In addition to this, we have explained detailed factors to consider when mounting on plasterboard wall and FAQ section to further tell you everything that you need to know.
Thoroughly go through the article for best results.
We hope the information we provided was useful.
Let us know if you have any questions or opinions related to this.
Adam F.
A/V and Home Theater Expert that focuses on providing clear as well as concise reviews for anything and everything Audio Visual. From TV's, TV Mounts, Soundbars, and Wiring, my focus is to provide expertise in everything Audio Visual focused.
