If you are going to hang your TV on the wall, you will need to make sure that the wall material is reliable, study the bracket design, and prepare the necessary tools.
The first task is to determine the wall material. Any TV model can be hung on concrete and brick surfaces . It is recommended to install models weighing up to 15 kilograms on walls made of plasterboard or similar material, but only when using special fasteners. If the TV weighs more than 15 kilograms, you will need to make a metal profile under the plasterboard or create a niche in advance.
Types and features of TV brackets
The ease of use of the TV depends on the bracket used . Some TV models come with standard wall-mounted structures, but they do not always meet the user’s requirements. Several main types of brackets are available:
- Fixed. The mount is immovable, fits tighter to the wall than others and is considered the most reliable, since it does not include moving parts. It is made in two subtypes – a plate and a plate with two supports.
- Inclined. The mounts are similar to fixed ones, but have adjustable supports in their design that can be tilted to a certain degree. For most models, the tilt does not exceed 20°.
- Rotary. They have one or two guides, with which you can move the TV in a horizontal plane.
- Combined. Allows you to move the TV left and right, as well as change the angle of inclination.
Remember that hollow brick and plasterboard walls are not suitable for heavy TV models.
The packaging of modern brackets contains instructions on the diagonal and weight limitations. You need to focus on the maximum weight that the bracket can withstand. The weight of the TV can be found in the technical documentation or on the Internet. Also, make sure that the holes on the TV correspond to those on the bracket.
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Bracket mounting tool
Once the required bracket is purchased, prepare the installation tool. This list includes:
- Screwdriver (preferably with a ratchet). You will need it to install the TV on the bracket.
- A hammer drill (for brick and concrete walls) or a drill (for plasterboard) with a drill bit.
- Hammer for driving in dowels.
- Fasteners: bolts with dowels, washers.
- Pencil, masking tape, level.
The drill diameter should match the diameter of the dowel used. A standard 10×61 dowel and 6 x 80 screw can withstand a load of 15 kilograms. Some fastener models can withstand up to 28 kilograms.
How to install a TV bracket correctly
The wall-mounted fixed bracket is the closest to the wall, so some TVs have problems connecting wires due to insufficient clearance. If your TV’s connection ports are perpendicular to the wall and the wires bend too much, you will need to increase the distance. Additional washers will come in handy, with which you can move the TV away from the wall by 1-2 centimeters.
Keep this in mind when purchasing tilt bracket models, as the TV will not be able to tilt due to the network or coaxial cable hanging down below. When installing swivel wall brackets, consider the maximum rotation angle. Turn the structure to the extreme left and extreme right positions. Make sure that the TV does not touch the wall or other objects. If the bracket does not have grooves for wires, make sure that the hanging cables have free movement.
Most swivel mechanisms use a butterfly bracket. In rare cases, the panel protrudes beyond the TV or covers the connection ports. It is better to check such moments before buying. In rare cases, you can saw off the excess parts, but this can reduce the strength of the entire panel.
The most difficult is installing ceiling brackets, since the work is literally done in the air. It is recommended to first make one hole in the ceiling, then screw in the bolt. Then, turning the “pancake” around its axis, mark the locations for the remaining holes. This will save you time on marking.
You can collect dust with a vacuum cleaner or with a homemade paper attachment for a drill.
The second nuance is the wiring. Most brackets have a hollow vertical rod, inside which you can lay the wires. Do this before hanging the TV itself.
To test the strength of the bracket, you can hang a weight comparable to the weight of the TV itself. Make sure that the vertical rod is completely free of any play.
Step-by-step instructions for installing a bracket on concrete and brick
The first step is to choose a place for installation. Attach the bracket to the wall, use a level to make sure the structure is level. Then, using a pencil, mark the places where holes need to be drilled. Fixed fixed brackets, as well as inclined and combined brackets with a plate, may have more than four bolt holes. Four fasteners at the corners are mandatory, but a fifth can be installed in the center at the top.
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- A common combination is a staggered pattern with two bolts at the bottom and four at the top.
- For supports with a vertical base, two or three bolts are usually sufficient.
- Ceiling bracket bases have 3 to 8 holes. It is recommended to use each of them.
After that, take a hammer drill with the appropriate drill bit and start drilling holes. Make sure that the drill enters perpendicular to the plane of the wall.
Also, do not move the drill back and forth to remove the chips. This will widen the hole, and the dowel may subsequently sit loosely, which will reduce its load-bearing capacity.
“To prevent drill bit debris from falling onto the floor, make a paper bag and use paper tape to secure it under the holes.”
Using a hammer, carefully tap the dowels into the previously drilled holes. Note that the dowels should not stick out, but they do not need to be driven deep into the wall. Place the bracket on the dowels and insert the bolts into the holes. Be sure to check that the bracket is level horizontally. After that, you can tighten the fasteners with a screwdriver or wrench. The correct tightening technique is the same as with a car tire – crosswise.
Next, you need to install the TV on the bracket. If the equipment is light, then you can do this together – one person holds the TV, and the other tightens the bolts. For heavy models, it is recommended to detach the connecting parts from the bracket (a pair of guides or a butterfly element) and attach them first, then hang the entire structure with the TV on the bracket.
A common problem is when the complete parts are longer than the mounting holes. Sometimes the holes are not in the same plane, which makes installation difficult. The solution in most cases is washers, which compensate for the excess length.
“The fastener must enter the housing at least five turns!”
After installation, check the operation of the tilt and rotation mechanism, if provided by the design.
How to fix a bracket to drywall
Loose materials such as plasterboard and its analogues have worse load-bearing capacity compared to concrete, brick and solid wood. To prevent the TV and bracket from falling under their own weight, it is necessary to use a special dowel “butterfly”, also known as “molly”.
The part has special spikes in its design that prevent rotation and deflection in the plasterboard sheets. Many users recommend buying a fully metal dowel that can withstand up to 35 kilograms. Nylon or plastic parts are not reliable enough and are not able to withstand high loads. As an alternative for TVs weighing up to 15 kilograms, you can use crocodile dowels or Hartmut fasteners.
