Is it Safe to Mount a TV on a Plasterboard Wall? Exploring Safety Tips and Best Practices

Mounting a TV on a plasterboard wall has become a common practice in many households and commercial spaces due to the sleek and modern look it provides. However, concerns about the safety and stability of such installations often arise. While plasterboard walls can support the weight of a TV when installed correctly, there are important considerations to keep in mind to ensure a secure and safe mounting. At TV Mounter, our installers have installed 1000s of TVs on plasterboard walls with right brackets and tools.

Understanding Plasterboard Walls

Plasterboard walls, also known as drywall or gypsum board walls, are made of gypsum plaster sandwiched between layers of paper. While these walls offer a smooth and easy-to-paint surface, they have limitations when it comes to supporting heavy objects like a TV. Unlike solid brick or concrete walls, plasterboard walls are more prone to damage if not properly reinforced during mounting.

1. Locate the Studs: The safest and strongest way to mount a TV on a plasterboard wall is to attach the TV bracket directly to the wooden or metal studs behind the plasterboard. Studs are the vertical framing elements that provide structural support to the wall.
   • How to find studs:
     • Stud finder: This electronic tool is the easiest way to locate studs. Slide it along the wall until it indicates a stud.
     • Tapping: Tap along the wall and listen for a solid (non-hollow) sound.
     • Look for clues: Nails in baseboards often align with studs.
   • Benefits: Attaching to studs provides a very secure and strong anchor point, capable of holding even large and heavy TVs.
2. Use Specialist Plasterboard Fixings (If Studs aren’t an option): If the desired TV location doesn’t align with studs, you can use heavy-duty plasterboard fixings. These are designed to spread the weight over a larger area of the plasterboard or to create a strong anchor within the cavity behind the board.
   • Types of fixings:
     • Toggle bolts/Hollow wall anchors: These expand behind the plasterboard to create a strong grip. Examples include “GripIt,” “T-Bolt,” and “Bullfix” fixings.
     • Corefix Connect: These are specifically designed for “dot and dab” walls (plasterboard over brick/blockwork) and use a steel core to bridge the gap and transfer the load to the masonry behind.
     • GeeFix: These are also heavy-duty hollow wall anchors designed to maximize the load-bearing surface area.
   • Important Notes for Fixings:
     • Weight limits: Always check the weight rating of the fixings and ensure they exceed the combined weight of your TV and the mounting bracket.
     • Type of bracket: Some specialist fixings (like GripIt) are generally recommended for “fixed” or “tilt-only” brackets. Full-motion or cantilever brackets (which allow the TV to extend and swivel) put significantly more stress on the fixings and may not be suitable for plasterboard-only mounting without reinforcement.
     • Wall thickness/cavity: Some fixings are designed for specific plasterboard thicknesses or cavity depths.

Why is a flat bracket the most suitable option for a plasterboard wall?

Flat brackets are an excellent choice for mounting a TV on a plasterboard wall due to their stability and safety features. These brackets are specifically designed to sit flush against the wall, distributing the weight of the TV evenly and reducing the risk of it becoming dislodged or falling. When mounting a TV on a plasterboard wall, it is important to distribute the weight evenly across the wall to prevent overloading specific areas. Consider the TV’s mounting points and position the bracket so that it spans multiple wall anchors for better weight distribution. Flat bracket allows putting multiple wall anchors and helps to distribute the weight of the TV evenly across the bracket and wall which ensures safety and stability of TV.

One of the key benefits of using a flat bracket is its simplicity and low-profile design, which allows TV close to the wall leaving minimum gap between the wall and TV unlike full motion bracket.  When properly installed, a flat bracket can securely hold a TV in place, providing peace of mind and ensuring the safety of both the TV and anyone nearby. Overall, flat brackets are a reliable and practical choice for mounting a TV on a plasterboard wall, offering a sturdy and unobtrusive solution for your home entertainment setup.

Why a full motion bracket might not be safe on a plasterboard wall?

Full motion brackets allow for versatile positioning of the TV, with the ability to tilt, swivel, and extend the screen as desired. However, these brackets may not be the safest option for mounting a TV on a plasterboard wall for several reasons.

Plasterboard walls are not as robust as solid walls, and the constant movement and weight distribution from a full motion bracket can put strain on the wall over time. This can lead to the plasterboard becoming damaged or weakened, potentially causing the TV to become unstable or even fall off the wall. Additionally, the dynamic nature of full motion brackets means there are more points of failure compared to simpler bracket designs, increasing the risk of accidents.

To ensure the safety and longevity of your TV installation on a plasterboard wall, it is recommended to opt for a bracket that offers a secure and stable fixed position, such as a flat bracket.

The Problem with Full-Motion Brackets on Plasterboard:

• Leverage and Stress: Full-motion brackets, by their nature, extend the TV away from the wall. When the TV is extended or swivelled, it creates a tremendous amount of leverage and pulling force on the top fixings, and pushing force on the bottom fixings. This isn’t just the static weight of the TV; it’s dynamic force that multiplies the strain on the wall.
• Plasterboard Weakness: Plasterboard is designed to handle “shear loads” (weight pushing down parallel to the wall) relatively well when spread out. However, it’s much weaker against “axial loads” (forces pulling directly out from the wall), which is exactly what a full-motion bracket generates, especially when the arm is extended.
• Risk of Failure: The immense stress can cause the plasterboard to deform, crack, or the fixings to pull out entirely, leading to your TV falling. This can happen over time as the board weakens from repeated movement of the TV.
• Specific Fixings Warnings: Many heavy-duty plasterboard fixings, such as GripIt and Bullfix, explicitly state that they are not recommended for cantilever, extendable, “pull out,” or full-motion TV brackets due to the immense stress they put on the plasterboard.

Consulting a Professional

If you are unsure about mounting a TV on a plasterboard wall or if you have concerns about the wall’s condition, you may speak to one of our installers. A qualified and experienced technician can assess the situation, recommend suitable mounting options, and ensure a secure installation that meets safety standards.

Ensuring a Safe and Secure TV Mounting

In conclusion, mounting a TV on a plasterboard wall can be safe and effective when done properly following the recommended guidelines and best practices. By assessing the wall’s condition, choosing the right mounting hardware, locating wall studs, using wall anchors, distributing weight evenly, securing the mounting bracket, managing cables, you can enhance the safety and stability of your TV installation. Remember to prioritize safety, seek professional help if needed, and enjoy the benefits of a stylish and functional TV setup in your space.