There are many reasons to install a TV in your home, or even on your covered patio, but if you're unsure of how to secure such a heavy object to your wall, especially as surface treatments vary from home to home, this guide is for you.
It is possible to anchor a TV wall mount to any type of surface; you just need the right tools to ensure your system is installed properly and that your wall can handle the weight of your television.
The biggest difference you'll discover between mounting a TV on plaster walls vs. hanging one over sheetrock is finding the studs.
Keep reading to learn how to locate the studs behind each wall, what to do if you don't see them, and which anchors to use for a TV mount on plaster vs. drywall.
Before doing anything, understand what material was used to construct your home. Sometimes plaster is placed over brick and sometimes it's placed over lath (narrow boards hung horizontally over the studs).
When you screw into a plaster wall, you could be hitting plaster, lath, and a stud, or plaster and brick. This is critical to know so you use the right type of anchor.
To find out what's behind your plaster, try knocking on the wall:
= Plaster over Lath
Follow the plaster and lath installation steps in this guide
= Plaster over Brick
Refer to our brick wall mounting guide for proper installation
Note: In this section, we will primarily address how to hang your system to plaster and lath. For plaster-brick walls, please refer to our article on mounting TVs on brick walls. Need a complete home theater installation? We can help with that too.
While there are ways to hang a TV wall mount without a stud, we recommend fastening to a stud whenever possible to ensure it is the most secure. Follow these three essential steps:
To locate studs behind plaster, you will need a strong magnet that you can drag along the wall to find them. The magnet will be able to detect where nails were used to attach the wood lath to the studs.
Once you have located your studs, drill a pilot hole through the plaster and into the wood. If you cannot locate the stud, drill your initial holes where you want the TV to hang.
Plaster is very thick and can crack more easily than drywall. Be careful as you drill. Start slowly with steady pressure, and don't force the drill bit.
Choose the right anchors based on whether you've found studs or not:
Best choice for anchoring to studs behind plaster and lath. These provide the most secure hold.
If you are connecting your TV to a plaster wall without a stud, use a toggle or molly bolt.
Important: Some TV mount brands (like MantelMount) must be mounted to studs or a structural part of the wall and cannot be mounted to simply just drywall or plaster alone. Always check your mount's installation requirements.
Drywall is the most common building material homeowners encounter when placing their TV. For it, follow the steps listed below.
There are a lot of great stud finders on the market these days. Having one in your home is helpful for hanging anything, from TVs to light fixtures and more. Use your stud finder to locate the posts.
You can use a similar method mentioned in the plaster section:
This will be most important if you have found the stud, as it will make it easier for the screw to attach to the wood. Pilot holes prevent the wood from splitting and ensure a secure connection.
For drywall, lag bolts are the best anchors to screw into studs. For positioning without a stud, use toggle or molly bolts.
Because drywall is much thinner than plaster, we highly recommend attaching your mount to at least one stud for additional stability.
If your TV mount can't span two studs, consider using a Single Stud Wall Adapter (like the SSB40). This serves as a replacement for the included mounting wall plate and helps:
There are several methods to wall mount a TV on plaster walls, each with its own advantages. The best option for you will depend on your specific circumstances, wall structure, and TV weight.
Attaches to ceiling joists, bypassing wall entirely.
Toggle or molly bolts expand behind the wall surface.
Large plates distribute weight across wall surface.
The most important thing to consider is using a mounting that can properly support your TV's weight. Generally, with the right mounting hardware, plasterboard can safely hold up to 50kg (110 lbs).
Rule of thumb: The larger and heavier your TV, the bigger and more secure the mount will need to be. Always check your TV's weight specifications before selecting mounting hardware.
Check out our comprehensive guides on TV mounting techniques and what can go wrong:
Common questions about mounting TVs on plaster, drywall, and other wall types
Yes, you can mount your television onto a plasterboard wall, but it needs to be done correctly to prevent damage to your home and TV. Generally, a plasterboard wall will hold a TV securely and safely as long as you use the right mounting hardware. We recommend using wall anchors (toggle or molly bolts) or mounting plates for best results, especially when you can't locate a stud.
Larger televisions are heavier and put more pressure on your wall. Here's what you need to consider:
With the right mounting hardware, plasterboard can hold up to 50kg (approximately 110 lbs). However, this depends on several factors:
Professional TV mounting costs vary based on TV size, wall type, and additional services like cable concealment. For detailed pricing in the Denver area, check out our comprehensive price guide.
View 2026 TV Mounting Price GuideTelevisions are expensive investments, so it's important to consider mounting carefully. We recommend hiring a professional if:
Remember, the safety of your family and pets is at risk if your TV falls. Professional installation means great results that'll last for years.
If you love spending time outside or hosting events, you may want to install a TV on your covered patio. Since stucco is common for outdoor walls, here's how to handle it.
The first thing you'll want to do before securing anything to stucco is determine if the stucco is covering wood or concrete. To test, knock and see if it sounds hollow or solid:
Stucco over Wood
Follow the wood mounting steps below
Stucco over Concrete
Follow the concrete mounting steps below
Look on the other side of the wall you want to hang your TV on and find the studs. Measure edge to edge to see where each one is. Return to the stucco side to match the measurements and mark the studs.
To drill through the stucco, you will need to use a concrete drill bit or hammer drill until you reach the wood. Once there, switch to a normal drill bit.
Tip: Stucco is hard and abrasive. It will wear down regular drill bits quickly. A masonry bit is essential.
To secure the system to the stucco, use a lag bolt that will screw through the hole you just drilled, through the stucco, and into the stud.
Because there are no studs within the concrete block, you can skip straight to drilling the holes once you have determined where you want your TV to go.
Use a concrete or masonry drill bit to screw through the stucco and concrete block.
Weather Protection: After making the initial holes, you may want to add some sealant for extra protection against leaks, especially if you live in an area with a lot of rain.
Using concrete bolts, attach your system to the stucco-concrete wall. These specialized anchors are designed to expand inside the concrete for a secure hold.
Beyond TV mounting, we offer comprehensive installation services throughout Denver
All wall types including brick, tile, metal studs, and concrete
Complete surround sound, projectors, and AV setup
Restaurants, offices, gyms, churches, and more
Gallery-quality mounting for art, mirrors, and shelves
IKEA and all major brands assembled professionally
General repairs, installations, and home maintenance
Complete pricing for all TV sizes and mount types
Compare local service to big-box installation
Testing cable-free 4K gaming up to 30 feet
Inside TCL's brightest TV ever made
While many of our customers install TV mounts themselves, if you're in need of help, we would recommend hiring a professional to set up the mount and TV, especially over concrete, brick, or challenging plaster walls.
Our team at Dom's TV Mounting has the right tools and expertise to ensure your system is installed properly on any surface type, whether it's plaster and lath, drywall, stucco, or brick.
Curious about pricing? See our complete 2026 TV Mounting Price Guide or compare us to Best Buy Geek Squad.
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