Mounting a TV on a Las Vegas wall: studs, anchors and the cords
IllustrativeTV mounting is one of the most common small jobs in Las Vegas homes, and one of the easiest to get wrong. A mount that pulls out of the wall can take the TV and a chunk of drywall with it. Here is what a good install looks like, and what to know before you book one.
Studs come first
Most homes in the valley have wood studs behind the drywall, usually 16 inches apart and sometimes 24 in newer homes. A TV mount should be fastened into the studs with the lag screws that come with it; that is the strongest, simplest install, and it is what the mount’s weight rating assumes. Some condos and apartment buildings have metal studs instead. Those need different hardware, such as heavy toggle bolts rated for the load, not wood screws.
When the studs aren’t where you want the TV
If the studs don’t line up with where you want the screen, there are good answers: a mount with a wider wall plate that reaches two studs, or an arm that lets the TV sit off-center from its plate. For a light TV, heavy-duty anchors rated well above its weight can work. What we won’t do is hang a large TV on plastic anchors in drywall alone.
Fireplaces, brick and stone
Mounting over a fireplace is popular and doable, but think about the viewing height (it is often too high for comfortable watching) and the heat. Brick and stone need masonry anchors and a hammer drill. Tell us in your photos what the wall is made of.
The cords
This is the part that surprises people. The look of no visible cords usually means running power inside the wall, and adding or moving an outlet is electrical work. In Nevada that needs a licensed electrician, no matter how small the job. What we do instead is run the cords in a slim paintable cover on the wall surface, down to your existing outlet. Painted to match, it nearly disappears. If you want an outlet behind the TV, have an electrician add it first, and we’ll mount the TV after.
What to have ready
The TV and its mount (the box shows the mount’s weight rating and the screen sizes it fits), a clear spot to work, and an idea of the height you want. A common rule of thumb is to put the center of the screen near eye level when you’re seated, which is lower than most people expect.
What it costs with us
Mounting a TV up to 65 inches on your mount is $129. We level it, anchor it into studs, and can tidy the cords in a cover on the wall. Send a photo of the wall and the TV size, and we’ll confirm a fixed price, usually the same day.