How to Mount a Flat-Panel TV to Sheetrock With Metal Studs

Flat-panel TVs have given people much wider decorating options because they don't need to sit on a stand or in a large piece of furniture and they can be hung on the wall like a picture. Wall mounts come in many, including models that swing out and tilt so you can optimize viewing angles even if you aren't facing the TV directly. If your home was built with metal studs, you have to go through a couple of extra steps to ensure a safe installation.

Things You'll Need

• Stepladder
• Stud finder that can find steel studs
• Pencil
• Level
• Drill with bits
• Toggle bolts
• Drywall mounting anchors
• Mounting bracket
• Television

Instructions

Preparation

1. Clear the area you are going to work in so you can get the stepladder near the wall and have plenty of room to move the TV around safely.

2. Use the stud finder to determine the location of the studs where you want to mount the TV. Many stud finders find only the edge of studs, so you need to find both edges and mark the middle.

3. Mark the holes for the four mounting screws. This will be a rectangle with the size determined by the placement of the screw holes in the wall mount.

4. Connect the top two points with a straight line and verify that the line is horizontal with a level.

5. Make sure the bottom two points come down the same amount from the top two points.

Hanging the Mount and Attaching the TV

1. Drill holes through the Sheetrock and metal stud with the proper-size bit for the toggle you are using. The size will be marked on the package.

2. Install the toggles and tighten the back plate to the wall. Depending on the style of the toggles, you will either need to insert the toggles into the wall and then screw the plate down to the toggles, or attach the toggles to the wall plate loosely and then insert them into the wall before tightening them.

3. Use the level to verify that the back plate is horizontal. Loosen the screws and adjust if necessary.

4. Attach the front plate to the TV using the four mounting holes.

5. Connect the two halves of the mounting bracket.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that the bracket supports the same mounting-hole pattern as your TV. Standard patterns are 50, 75, 100 and 200 mm squares.

• Be sure the bracket is designed to handle the size and weight of your TV.

• If the mounting holes for the back plate aren't set up to attach to two studs, you can use screw-in drywall anchors for one side. Some of these are designed to handle up to 50 pounds.

• Don't try to use self-tapping sheet metal screws--they aren't strong enough to take the weight.

References

• Practical-home-theater-guide.com: Mounting a Plasma TV