Wall mounting a plasma

[Number45]

I'm finally going to take the plunge (I don't replace my TV often, so when I do it costs loads!) and get a Pioneer plasma (Going for the KRP-500a).

This is going to be an ongoing project, so I'll start at the beginning: does anyone have any tips for identifying the type of wall I'm going to be mounting into? It's an exterior wall, but I have no idea how to work out what (If anything) is between the plasterboard interior and the standard brick exterior.

Any pointers? I'm looking at mounting it myself (With a little help from more DIY savvy friends and family), but obviously want to make sure that I'm fully prepared. Thanks in advance.

[Widegoat]

This probably isn't going to help - but I just got a 50inch Panasonic Plasma, and bracket with the idea of doing exactly the same. Once I got it out of it's packaging, it sat on the floor of my living room for about a month, before I finally realised that I didn't have the courage to put it up myself.

In the end I called in the professionals - it took two guys two hours to do it properly. It cost me a couple of hundred quid, but my TV isn't broken, it's fastened securely to the wall I wanted it on, levelled at exactly the right height.

I haven't looked back - so I'd say that if any doubt creeps in, call in the cavalry!

[Number45]

More helpful than you might think. I'd always planned to get it done professionally, but looking into how it's done this morning it seemed like, assuming I can properly identify the wall, it wouldn't be too difficult to do. The more I think about it the more I think I'm better just dropping the money to get it done professionally.

I've just remembered that there is an aerial socket in that wall that I can remove and it should give me an idea of what's in there. So I might do that tonight if I get the chance.

[MikeF]

I wall mounted my 42" LCD onto an exterior wall through the plasterboard etc. I used RAWL bolts (6 of them) and didn't have any problems at all. All you need to do is make sure you get a solid fixing into the wall.

Depending on what is going to be underneath the TV will determine if you use trunking or chase into the wall for the cables. I used trunking as we have a cabinet underneath the TV and once the DVD player, Amp , Sky HD box etc that hid it very well (also makes adding new cables very easy)

[Number45]

Once this is up I'll never have to worry about cables to the TV, at least not until I change it anyway. Separate AV receiver, so all I need to run up to the TV itself is the main video cable and a power lead.

I've looked at those RAWL bolts this morning (Just going through the wall mounts section on AVF), and yeah it all looks pretty straightforward. I guess I'm just thinking it'll be preferable to have someone to blame in the event that it falls off of the wall.

[MikeF]

Put it this way, if my TV comes down from the wall, the wall is coming with it

[Number45]

Well, at least I know they're secure, even if the wall isn't.

[Widegoat]

Unusually (according to the guys that put my TV up in the end) the bracket that I got for it came with bolts and fixings. Manufactures of brackets often don't supply the bolts and fixings so they can blame the users choice if / when everything comes crashing down!

[browngirl]

ive a thermalite wall behind plasterboard, all i did was

drill 8 x 1cm wide holes and 10cm deep
got 8 12cm long by 8mm threaded rods
filled the holes with some sealent type stuff (will insert proper name when ive found out what its called)
inserted the rods then put the bracket over and bolted the bracket

does the job, still up a year later, have to be quicka s the compound is set solid in about 30 seconds

[Number45]

That's some kind of resin isn't it? Read about it this morning, basically it hardens in a mushroom shape behind the wall to allow you to use it to secure the screws.

Haven't managed to get behind the unit and check the wall yet, but Mrs. 45 is already planning a redesign of the living room to accommodate all of this. Obviously as we're getting a new TV we need new units etc. Women!

->Open Spoiler<-

I know I shouldn't complain seeing as she's signed off on a &#163;2.5k TV!