How to fix a wall-mounted TV unit: suitable anchors and support
A wall-mounted TV unit or a television fixed to the wall requires uncompromising fixing: under heavy load, a poorly chosen anchor can give way. Here is the method to fix safely, with loads of 20 to 100 kg depending on the support.
Checking the nature of the wall BEFORE anything
- Concrete or solid cinder block: classic expansion anchors
- Solid brick: expansion anchors
- Hollow brick: special anchors (expansion or winged)
- Drywall: Molly anchors or spring toggles, absolutely
- Hollow-core partition: special partition anchors
Tap on the wall to listen: a solid sound indicates concrete, a hollow sound a partition. If you have a doubt about the structure, use a stud finder to locate the metal or wood studs of the partition: it is the strongest fixing point.
The weight determines the anchor
Safety rule: the anchor must support twice the total weight (unit + TV + objects). For a TV unit with a 20 kg television, plan a capacity of 60 to 100 kg. In concrete, 10 mm anchors with suitable screws are enough. In drywall, use Molly anchors of 10 mm minimum, or fix directly into the studs.
The fixing technique
- Mark the location of the fixings precisely with a level
- Drill with the bit of the diameter indicated on the anchor
- Dust out the hole (poke with the bit or blow)
- Drive the anchor in flush with the wall
- Place the support and screw the screws into the anchors
- Check the stability before placing the unit or TV
Child safety: anti-tip protection
Tall furniture and TVs on stands present a tipping risk for children. ALWAYS fix the furniture to the wall (even if the TV is light) using the supplied anti-tip kit or a strap. It is a simple safety measure that prevents serious accidents.
The mistakes to avoid
- Using a standard anchor in drywall (gives way under load)
- Underestimating the total weight (unit + contents + TV)
- Only fixing 2 out of 4 points
- Drilling without checking for cables and pipes
- Forgetting the anti-tip protection with children
With anchors suited to your wall and load, your TV unit will remain perfectly stable. If in doubt about a support's capacity, always choose sturdier than necessary: with heavy fixings, the safety margin is your best ally.