Hanging TV on a plaster and lath wall

[Rocket3004]

Hi all. I don't have any experience with these older homes and could use some input.

This is a 1930's home and though I would prefer not to, we have decided to hang a TV in one of the rooms. There is an arch inset into the wall with a wooden ledge. This TV is gong to cover up the arch, but appear to rest on the ledge.



I checked behind the sconces and there is a small hole for the wiring. I stuck a boroscope camera in there and can see the lath boards. I *think* I have found a stud using a Zircon metal detector stud-finder (finds metal - theoretically finding nails along the vertical studs). I tried a regular stud finder, a magnet, etc and looking around online, this seems to be the ticket.

The bracket is pictured below. There are specific guidelines on which holes I need to use.





Assuming I have found a stud (a unverified IF), then at least one of the 1 of 3 bolts will not land on a stud. A few questions:

1.) Any better way to verify I have found a stud? Especially before I start drilling?
2.) If I have to put at least one mounting bolt outside of a stud - are toggle bolts etc. an option for these types of walls?
2b.) If I can't land on a stud - can I just use toggle bolts/anchors/etc? This TV weighs 50lbs

I'm trying to make this somewhat reversible/minimal impact. I don't want to hack up the wall if I don't need to. I'd honestly prefer to leave the wall alone but that is another discussion! Hopefully it will mount incognito and will look like art... kinda

Thanks guys!

 

[mogandave]

I'm with you, having to hang a TV on that is a shame.

I think you're okay with butterfly anchors if you don't hit a stud.

 

[Metal-Marc]

Is it an outside wall?

 

[Stuart in MN]

At 50 lbs you're probably okay, but you could get a piece of plywood long enough to cover several studs, screw that to the wall, and then screw the TV mount to the plywood.

 

[Black300zx]

In my old condo I couldn't hit two studs with my TV bracket unless I wanted it way off-center, however the TV was large enough to easily span two studs with room to spare. I cut a 1x pine board long enough to span the bracket footprint and the next stud, put t-nuts in the back of it to align with the "off-stud" slots in the bracket, painted the board to match the wall, mounted the board to the studs and then the bracket to the board (going through the board into the one stud that was in alignment).

Overkill? Probably, but I want to be damn sure that if I accidentally tug on the TV while connecting wires, it's not going to crack the drywall or end up in my arms.

 

[billconner]

Could try a different bracket. Mine for 65" flat screen only needed two lag bolts in studs, and they could be anywhere as long as 16" apart.

 

[DGersic]

Hi all. I don't have any experience with these older homes and could use some input.

This is a 1930's home and though I would prefer not to, we have decided to hang a TV in one of the rooms. There is an arch inset into the wall with a wooden ledge. This TV is gong to cover up the arch, but appear to rest on the ledge.



I checked behind the sconces and there is a small hole for the wiring. I stuck a boroscope camera in there and can see the lath boards. I *think* I have found a stud using a Zircon metal detector stud-finder (finds metal - theoretically finding nails along the vertical studs). I tried a regular stud finder, a magnet, etc and looking around online, this seems to be the ticket.

The bracket is pictured below. There are specific guidelines on which holes I need to use.





Assuming I have found a stud (a unverified IF), then at least one of the 1 of 3 bolts will not land on a stud. A few questions:

1.) Any better way to verify I have found a stud? Especially before I start drilling?
2.) If I have to put at least one mounting bolt outside of a stud - are toggle bolts etc. an option for these types of walls?
2b.) If I can't land on a stud - can I just use toggle bolts/anchors/etc? This TV weighs 50lbs

I'm trying to make this somewhat reversible/minimal impact. I don't want to hack up the wall if I don't need to. I'd honestly prefer to leave the wall alone but that is another discussion! Hopefully it will mount incognito and will look like art... kinda

Thanks guys!

I would not use anything load bearing on the plaster and lath itself.

Honestly, I would hang anything on plaster and lath, but if you must, the suggestions for plywood mounted to the studs and painted to hide are your best bet.

 

[DGersic]

Oh, and I’ve yet to find a locator that’ll work through plaster. They’re good on sheetrock.

 

[gahrajmahal]

The plywood suggestion is great. For stud verification you need a drill and 1/8” drill bit. You’ll be able to tell if it’s a stud or just lath. Patch your many incorrect holes with some drywall mud before painting the plywood, then paint those patches.

 

[Colin Len]

The plywood suggestion is great. For stud verification you need a drill and 1/8” drill bit. You’ll be able to tell if it’s a stud or just lath. Patch your many incorrect holes with some drywall mud before painting the plywood, then paint those patches.

This. I've lived in a house for nearly 10yrs now that has "button board" and have yet to find a reliable way to locate studs that doesn't involve putting an excessive amount of holes in the wall.

 

[RPH]

I used a basement jack pole. I needed the tv in a corner and that was the easiest solution. Couple u bolts and tv mount stuck to the pole. Had to adjust for height but it was solid. No holes in the walls.

 

[APEowner]

There's almost certainly a stud on each side of the arch. I'd screw a piece of plywood across the arch and attach the bracket to that.

 

[428PI]

In my plaster house I use a tape measure and mark out 16 inches where I think the studs should be. Drill a hole big enough that you can get a stiff wire through it and bend wire at 90 degrees at least 10 inches long and swing the wire and you'll be able to tell where studs are. Sheetrock screws work wonderful in plaster and lathe. You'll know if you hit the lathe or the space between the lathes. Lathes are stronger than you think. Just be careful of the electric wires.

 

[duneslider]

Those look like the brackets for the samsung Frame tv. If so, the plywood option has negative impacts and will look like poop. For reference, even an outlet cover behind the tv causes problems. It needs a completely flat wall.

I hung a 65" Frame tv over my fireplace and was able to get at least one screw into a stud on each side, so I was fine with that and then used the nylon snap toggle bolts for the other holes. You do need all the holes but I don't believe all are needed for weight bearing based on my experience. If you can't get a stud at least in one hole on each bracket then you might have to consider other options...

I don't know much about lath and plaster walls as I haven't dealt with them much but from a few I have torn out to build showers they were pretty strong walls and I would think the toggles would work fine. You have to remember that with the way these brackets work they are almost totally putting a shear force on the wall/anchors, not really a pull out kind of force. I would be comfortable mounting the frame tv in just drywall with the nylon toggle bolts that I used.

Adding the plywood behind this would not give you the look of the framed art like intended. For what it is worth, we really like our frame tv but mounting options are not as forgiving as other tv's.

 

[CoogarXR]

There's almost certainly a stud on each side of the arch. I'd screw a piece of plywood across the arch and attach the bracket to that.

Similar to this, but I'd sister the sides of the arch with 2x4's and put a board across those. That way the only holes I'd make would be on the inside-sides of the arch.

 

[Plump]

Ha! My house is 1895 so horsehair plaster and lathe, baby! Don't count on the studs being consistent and remember that they'll likely be actually 2" wide (not 1.5"). A strong rare-earth magnet might help find a stud or two but your bracket might only be able to be screwed into one stud. Use a large toggle bolt anchor after you screw through the lathe if you can't get into two studs. Use any extra screw holes on the bracket to drive some screws into the lathe to help keep the plaster from losing it's "key" that locks it into the lathe.

I have several TV's hanging on the plaster and have luckily had zero issues so far.

Good luck!!!

 

[APEowner]

Similar to this, but I'd sister the sides of the arch with 2x4's and put a board across those. That way the only holes I'd make would be on the inside-sides of the arch.

Nice! That's even better.

 

[tthornto]

Just looking at that wall I'd go in from each edge of the arch 2" and drill predrill a small hole to check for the studs. Plaster is typically 7/8" but could be anywhere from 1/2" to 1" then 1/4" lathe, and the studs could be 1.5"-2". So assuming that there is a stud on either side of the arch between 1.5" and 2.5" inches from the edge of the arch should be hitting the meat of a stud. For a 50Lb TV as long as at least 2 of 4 holes hit a stud then using toggles in the other holes is fine.

As an alternative to the plywood method others have suggested for spanning multiple studs is to use a 1/4" thick aluminum or steel that way you can drill and tap threads into it wherever you need, and it can be painted to match either the wall or the mount. The bennefit of this is you can get the same strength out of a material with a thinner profile, so If you care about keeping the TV as flat to the wall as possible this can be important.

Whatever you do if/when the tv is taken down there will be a minimum of 4 holes to patch, and patching 10 holes takes about the same amount of time and effort as patching 4 does, so don't worry about drilling too many holes.

 

[nadogail]

Why not use Sky Hooks?

 

[Ralphxj]

As was stated above, I would guess there is a stud on each side of the arch. Another way to check would be to pop those lights off the wall and check which side of the box has a stud. Mark both studs and measure back to find the 2 between the lights (probably the edges of the arch). I would bet if you measured from the edge of the arch you would tell right away which side of the lights the studs are on and then it's quick to confirm they are on each side of the arch.

 

[BigGarage]

I would not use anything load bearing on the plaster and lath itself.

Honestly, I would hang anything on plaster and lath

As long as you're certain

 

[billconner]

Maybe by time of this house there would be a stud on either side but lived in 2 old houses where there were sometimes a stud just held in place by 1x12 sheathing, and never headers over doors and windows. Just be careful.

Haven't had the problems finding studs with stud finders on plaster and wood lathe. Current is a Franklin M150. Recommended.

 

[gahrajmahal]

Another option if the tv is not too big would be to have the tv in a cabinet that raises with a lift. the cabinet, if on wheels, could move into place when you want to watch it.

It looks like a real wood burning fireplace which would heat up the tv when burning a fire If placed in the arch space.

 

[Zeke]

I've worked in many homes with strip lath and plaster and live in one. The rare earth magnet works but you might be on a stud where the lath is butted. The best way is to locate several lath nails vertically so you're sure you hit the center of the stud.

 

[jimy]

It is hard to tell distances and heights in your picture but you may want to lay out the tv size on the wall with painters tape or a piece of cardboard. Then you can sit down and be sure it is comfortable to view.

 

[yatg]

Looks like the bottom of the TV is going to be at 4-1/2 to 5 feet. You're gonna hate it.

 

[billconner]

Looks like the bottom of the TV is going to be at 4-1/2 to 5 feet. You're gonna hate it.

Ours is about 4'-6" and we like it fine.

 

[no704]

Pull the lights and go in with a coat hanger till you hit a stud. Two 1/4 lags are plenty for a new TV. As said most likely studs on the sides of the arch.

 

[DGersic]

As long as you're certain

Ugh. “wouldn’t”.