Drywall – Process in installing a TV

drywallmountingtelevision

New first time buyer here! Finally got the keys to the new house! Exciting times! Will be going into it pretty soon!

I bought a Samsung Frame TV 55” for it. I do plan on hanging the tv on the wall. I haven’t done much DIY project and was watching this YouTube video:

https://youtu.be/bdQPmYCD-vk

I’ve got a few questions:
1 – I was looking at few tv mounting advice and I saw someone say you shouldn’t hang a TV solely on drywall? It should also be on a stud. Is this correct?

2 – in the vid did he drill everything on a stud? I watched it several times but don’t seem to catch whether or not he drilled through the stud for the toggle bolts.

3 – which size toggle bolts should I get? He drilled the hole with a .5” bit. Am I right in assuming I can use any bolts?

4 – other than using a stud finder, how do I make sure I don’t drill through a pip or something? And how far do I drill through a stud? (This probably sounds pretty stupid but I just wanna make sure)

Best Answer

The bracket should be screwed into at least one stud and preferably two. Drywall just doesn't provide the support for a large TV. In the video, the center holes were screwed into the stud and the two end toggle bolts went in the drywall. The bolt sizes will depend on the bracket you buy. In many instances, the bolts and screws will be provided. If they are not, the instructions will specify what you need. There isn't really a good way to check behind walls without a stud finder. You can push a long finishing nail into the drywall a number of times to determine the stud locations and move the nail around in the holes to "see" if you feel any wires or pipes. Since you're a homeowner, you'll be doing a lot of picture hanging,etc. so you'd be smart to get a good stud finder.