Mounting a TV on a weird wall

beaker · 09-07-2020 6:39pm #1

Hi,

I am trying to mount a 40kg TV to a wall.

I searched for studs with a magnetic studfinder and found none. I then made a hole with a screwdriver. It seems to be plasterboard with stuff behind it that crumbles to dust - presumably some sort of insulation? This stuff goes back for 10cm.

The bottom half of this room is below ground (basement) and this wall is below ground level.

Any thoughts on how I could mount the 40kg TV to this wall?

Thanks a million in advance for any advice.

Calahonda52 · 09-07-2020 7:22pm

160mm long 10 or 12mm diameter express nails driven flush to the face of the plaster board and then use self tappers to thread into the hole in the express nail.
Alternatively use express nails to fix a piece of timber on the wall and then screw the bracket to it.
This would be my preferred option as you need less accuracy with the express nails.

This assumes that there is no damp proof lining on the wall below ground, I doubt it but....

09-07-2020 7:39pm

No solution sorry, but I am curious to know what kind of telly weighs 40kg :eek:

LenWoods · 09-07-2020 7:47pm

Have a look at Rigfix if theres concrete within the wall
Or GripIt fixtures the blue fixtures if theres only plasterboard

I've used them both on my bedroom walls after I sheeted with insulated plasterboard
As saw here: https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/80864-living-room-project/?do=findComment&comment=715111

But as said; 40kg must be an old plasma? Or has a built in fridge

My 43" LED only cost €460 and it weighs 16kg

the_syco · 09-07-2020 7:58pm

Deleted User wrote: »

No solution sorry, but I am curious to know what kind of telly weighs 40kg :eek:

I'm guessing an old style plasma; they are HEAVY!

And will probably take the wall off with it :pac:

Alun · 09-07-2020 8:09pm

LenWoods wrote: »

My 43" LED only cost €460 and it weighs 16kg

My 43" Sony only weighs 9.4kg!

LenWoods · 09-07-2020 8:13pm

Alun wrote: »

My 43" Sony only weighs 9.4kg!

Mine has Netflix and Amazon Prime built in fort of adds to the weight lol

keithdub · 09-07-2020 9:00pm

Frame fixers would be your best bet 140mm or 160mm long

awec · 09-07-2020 11:22pm

LenWoods wrote: »

Have a look at Rigfix if theres concrete within the wall
Or GripIt fixtures the blue fixtures if theres only plasterboard

I've used them both on my bedroom walls after I sheeted with insulated plasterboard
As saw here: https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/80864-living-room-project/?do=findComment&comment=715111

But as said; 40kg must be an old plasma? Or has a built in fridge

My 43" LED only cost €460 and it weighs 16kg

Not sure I'd fancy hanging 40kg off GripIt fixings.

In fact not sure I'd fancy hanging 40kg on my wall at all. Must be a nice cast iron telly.

Uncle Pierre · 10-07-2020 11:53am

I'd seriously suggest that 40kg is way too much to hang off a wall that seems to be plasterboard, with something crumbly behind it.

Are you sure you're correct about the weight of the TV?

beaker · 10-07-2020 2:42pm

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

Firstly,

LenWoods wrote: »

Mine has Netflix and Amazon Prime built in fort of adds to the weight lol

Uncle Pierre wrote: »

I'd seriously suggest that 40kg is way too much to hang off a wall that seems to be plasterboard, with something crumbly behind it.

Yeah, I'm worried about it.

We are thinking about going stone mad and getting a 77 inch OLED. It is 40.2kg.

Calahonda52 wrote: »

160mm long 10 or 12mm diameter express nails driven flush to the face of the plaster board and then use self tappers to thread into the hole in the express nail.
Alternatively use express nails to fix a piece of timber on the wall and then screw the bracket to it.
This would be my preferred option as you need less accuracy with the express nails.

This assumes that there is no damp proof lining on the wall below ground, I doubt it but....

I looked up express nails. Are they not for solid walls? The TV is designed to be flush to the wall so a piece of timber is out. I think that there is probably damp proof lining behind the 10cm of crumbly insulation.

keithdub wrote: »

Frame fixers would be your best bet 140mm or 160mm long

Are these also for solid walls?

LenWoods wrote: »

Have a look at Rigfix if theres concrete within the wall

Those do look very strong but now I think I am more worried about the strength of the wall, especially without studs to support it.

Thanks again to everybody!

awec · 10-07-2020 2:59pm

The express nail suggestion was to use a long express nail so that it goes through the plasterboard, through the insulation and into the blockwork. But this only works if there is in fact block work there.

Mellor · 10-07-2020 3:18pm

beaker wrote: »

I looked up express nails. Are they not for solid walls? The TV is designed to be flush to the wall so a piece of timber is out. I think that there is probably damp proof lining behind the 10cm of crumbly insulation.

Mounting directly to plasterboard is fine if the plasterboard is secure.
If the crumbly stuff is yellow/orange/pink - it's most likely insulated plasterboard. Which will is a huge issue. Even if you fix the TV perfectly to the plasterboard. You are then relying between the plasterboard and insulation, and the insulation and wall to hold up the TV. Could easily rip it off.

I'd be figuring out what is back there or finding a different solution.

Also need to know where the waterproofing layer is. Puncture that and you've a leak behind your TV.

beaker · 10-07-2020 4:05pm

awec wrote: »

The express nail suggestion was to use a long express nail so that it goes through the plasterboard, through the insulation and into the blockwork. But this only works if there is in fact block work there.

Ah, I get it now. Thanks. As Mellor says below though, if there's a waterproofing layer there, I can't do that, right?

Mellor wrote: »

Mounting directly to plasterboard is fine if the plasterboard is secure.
If the crumbly stuff is yellow/orange/pink - it's most likely insulated plasterboard. Which will is a huge issue. Even if you fix the TV perfectly to the plasterboard. You are then relying between the plasterboard and insulation, and the insulation and wall to hold up the TV. Could easily rip it off.

I'd be figuring out what is back there or finding a different solution.

Also need to know where the waterproofing layer is. Puncture that and you've a leak behind your TV.

The crumbly stuff is orange/pink. It sounds like I'm out of luck.

I might look at adding some sort of false wall that I can recess the TV in. If I used a freestanding mount (like this one that I currently have: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00B789K2I), do you think I could recess part of it into the insulated plasterboard?

Thanks.

RandRuns · 10-07-2020 4:13pm

There are studs, you're just not finding them. If it is insulated plasterboard (as I suspect), then a studfinder won't locate them. Measure out 600mm from one wall and drill a very small hole into the plasterboard. If the bit goes straight through, keep moving along the wall in 20mm increments until the bit hits a stud. Now measure another 600mm until you meet the next stud, and keep going until you find the studs nearest where you TV is to go. You will know by the depth you had to drill how thick the insulation is, add 75,, to this to give you a screw with good purchase in the stud, and away you go. The worst case scenario is that you will have a few tiny test holes to fill and paint.

beaker · 10-07-2020 5:26pm

RandRuns wrote: »

There are studs, you're just not finding them. If it is insulated plasterboard (as I suspect), then a studfinder won't locate them. Measure out 600mm from one wall and drill a very small hole into the plasterboard. If the bit goes straight through, keep moving along the wall in 20mm increments until the bit hits a stud. Now measure another 600mm until you meet the next stud, and keep going until you find the studs nearest where you TV is to go. You will know by the depth you had to drill how thick the insulation is, add 75,, to this to give you a screw with good purchase in the stud, and away you go. The worst case scenario is that you will have a few tiny test holes to fill and paint.

Wow!! Hope returns!

Thanks a million! I'll try that.

chooseusername · 10-07-2020 5:33pm

RandRuns wrote: »

There are studs, you're just not finding them. If it is insulated plasterboard (as I suspect), then a studfinder won't locate them. Measure out 600mm from one wall and drill a very small hole into the plasterboard. If the bit goes straight through, keep moving along the wall in 20mm increments until the bit hits a stud. Now measure another 600mm until you meet the next stud, and keep going until you find the studs nearest where you TV is to go. You will know by the depth you had to drill how thick the insulation is, add 75,, to this to give you a screw with good purchase in the stud, and away you go. The worst case scenario is that you will have a few tiny test holes to fill and paint.

Not necessarily.

Osamabumdipper · 10-07-2020 5:45pm

beaker wrote: »

Yeah, I'm worried about it.

We are thinking about going stone mad and getting a 77 inch OLED. It is 40.2kg.

Thanks again to everybody!

How about an insanely high-powered projector?

beaker · 10-07-2020 6:27pm

chooseusername wrote: »

Not necessarily.

But would you still say it's worth a look / drill?

Osamabumdipper wrote: »

How about an insanely high-powered projector?

That would be easier alright but we are totally sold on OLED. The blacks! The colours!

Osamabumdipper · 10-07-2020 7:05pm

beaker wrote: »

But would you still say it's worth a look / drill?

That would be easier alright but we are totally sold on OLED. The blacks! The colours!

I seen a projector done properly recently and couldn't get over how perfect it looked.

awec · 11-07-2020 10:55pm

Is this a new house? If so it could be metal studs and you'll have to get even more creative.

ted1 · 11-07-2020 11:03pm

How big is the room 77 inch is massive?

If it’s an external walk drill trough to the concrete.

If it’s an stud wall then get a drill with a small drill bit. Drill where you are going to hang it , keep drilling till you hit a stud then find the centre of it, measure across 16 inches and you should hit another stud, use coach screws to get a good tight fitting.

40kg is heavy. Check the load rating for a stud

Don’t buy a bracket from an Irish store they are always over priced. Amazon sell lots of brackets that are as good or better for 10-50 euro.

Would you consider a stand ? FITUEYES Table Pedestal TV Stand for 50" - 80" TV with 100° Swivel 2 Adjustable Heights Bracket 10mm Tempered Glass Base Cable Management Holds 65kgs Max. VESA 800x600 mm TT107003GB https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LXL6SVZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rIJcFb9YE4F6B

dodzy · 12-07-2020 8:28am

beaker wrote: »

But would you still say it's worth a look / drill?

That would be easier alright but we are totally sold on OLED. The blacks! The colours!

77” OLED. Must be in the region of €6k Surely :eek:

looksee · 12-07-2020 8:51am

I just did one of those stud searches (I don't have a stud finder - well not one that works) and tapped a 1" fine panel pin through the plaster board which made only a very tiny hole without breaking up the surface. When its only going through plaster you can give it a little twist with your fingers and pull it out. Turned out in spite of measuring and estimating the first attempt was half way between studs.

Lumen · 12-07-2020 9:19am

With a TV that large the room has to be big so you have space to play with, there's no need to be eating into the building fabric.

If you want it to look recessed then you could just build a box out from the wall and and recess it within that. You'll then have shallow alcoves to the side you can fill with shelving or whatever. Cables can be hidden but easily accessible.

If you're putting a 77inch TV into a small room then.... don't? :pac:

Mounting a TV on a weird wall

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