How to Securely Wall-Mount a Heavy Flat-Screen TV

Television mounting is a project where precision is your only safeguard against disaster. A heavy screen puts significant stress on your wall framing, so you must move past the idea of using drywall anchors alone. The integrity of your install depends entirely on hitting the solid wood of your structural studs. Done well, this project makes your living room look custom and keeps your hardware safe from accidental bumps. Focus on patience during the measurement phase; if your bracket is off by even an eighth of an inch, your television will be crooked, and that is something you will notice every single time you sit down to watch a movie.

  1. Find the Studs First. Use a high-quality electronic stud finder to locate the center of the wall studs behind your drywall. Mark the exact center points with a pencil and use a level to draw a vertical line connecting them to ensure your holes align properly.
  2. Keep It Level, Partner. Hold the mounting bracket against the wall, aligning the pre-drilled holes with your marked stud centers. Use a spirit level on top of the bracket to ensure it is perfectly horizontal before marking the drilling points through the bracket holes.
  3. Drill With Precision. Select a drill bit slightly smaller than the shank of your lag bolts to create a guide path. Drill directly into the center of each stud at a depth equal to the length of your bolts to prevent the wood from splitting.
  4. Anchor Into Wood. Drive the lag bolts through the bracket holes and into the pilot holes using a socket wrench. Tighten them firmly until the bracket is flush against the wall, but do not overtighten to the point of stripping the wood fibers.
  5. Secure Rails to Screen. Lay your television face down on a soft, padded surface like a bed or a blanket. Attach the two vertical mounting rails to the rear of the TV using the manufacturer-provided machine screws.
  6. Lock It Down Tight. With a partner, lift the television and hook the mounting rails onto the wall plate. Once in position, tighten the safety screws at the bottom of the rails to prevent the unit from being knocked off the wall.