I'm thinking about mounting my 55" TV in the center of my mantle, but I'm a bit concerned. Can single stud TV mounts hold the weight reliably, or should I go the extra mile and use plywood to support it across the mantle? Also, just to clarify, my TV only weighs about 30 pounds, and I plan to use a tilting mount with lag bolts. Any thoughts or advice?
3 Answers
While a single stud can usually hold the weight, I'd be cautious with articulating mounts that extend far outside the wall. If that's the case, use plywood to distribute the weight better. For fixed mounts, you can probably get away with just lag bolts in the stud and toggle bolts on the sides! Just make sure everything is pre-drilled for safety.
Totally! The location of the mount matters too, especially with heat from a fireplace.
I've mounted all sorts of TVs on single studs, and I've never had an issue. Today's TVs are super lightweight compared to older models. Just stick to the weight limits of your mount and you should be all set! If you want peace of mind, using plywood across a couple studs can make it rock-solid.
Exactly! I’ve had my 50" mounted on one stud for years without any problems.
That's a great point! But honestly, if it's a fixed mount, you're probably good with just the stud.
A single stud mount should work perfectly fine for your 55" TV, especially since it's relatively light at 30 pounds. Just make sure you secure it properly by using good lag bolts in the stud and consider adding toggle bolts on the ends for extra support. I've done this with a 65" TV and it held up great! You might also want to add a couple of extra screws into nearby studs to reinforce the drywall if you're nervous about it.
Yeah, I agree! Just keep things straightforward, two good lag bolts into the stud should do the trick.
Or you could use a mount rated for the weight of your TV. It makes a huge difference!
Right! I actually hung a larger TV on a single stud before, and it was rock steady.