So you’ve got the perfect spot for your new TV, but there’s a catch — is it brick or drywall? TV mounting on brick vs drywall isn’t just a minor detail. It changes the tools you need, the hardware you’ll use, and honestly, the level of frustration you might experience on a Saturday afternoon.
Here’s the short version: both surfaces can hold a mounted TV just fine, but brick requires masonry-specific anchors and a hammer drill, while drywall needs to be secured into studs or heavy-duty wall anchors. Brick is actually more solid once you’re through it — drywall is easier to drill but less forgiving if you miss a stud.
At Sunny’s Home Service, we mount TVs on every surface imaginable across Los Angeles. Let’s break down exactly what each wall type demands so you can decide whether to DIY or call in backup.
TV Mounting on Drywall: The Basics
Drywall is by far the most common wall material in Los Angeles homes. It’s lightweight, easy to work with, and — here’s the important part — it cannot support a TV on its own. Drywall is typically only ½” thick. Without proper support behind it, your 50-inch Samsung is going to have a very bad day.
Mounting Into Studs (The Gold Standard)
The best way to mount a TV on drywall is to anchor your bracket directly into wall studs. Studs are the vertical wood (or sometimes metal) framing members behind drywall, usually spaced 16 inches apart.
- Tools needed: Stud finder, level, drill, lag bolts (typically included with your mount)
- Weight capacity: A single wood stud can support 80–100 lbs with proper hardware — more than enough for any residential TV
- Difficulty: Moderate DIY — the hardest part is usually finding the studs accurately
Pro tip: Magnetic stud finders are more reliable than electronic ones. If you want to be sure, drill a small pilot hole — if you hit wood, you’ve found your stud.
Mounting Without Studs (Toggle Bolts & Anchors)
Sometimes the studs aren’t where you want your TV. In that case, you’ll need heavy-duty drywall anchors:
- Toggle bolts (butterfly anchors): Can hold 50–80 lbs each in ½” drywall. Use at least four for a TV mount.
- Snap toggles: Similar to toggle bolts but reusable — great if you need to adjust the bracket.
- Molly bolts: Good for medium-weight loads (30–50 lbs each), but not our first choice for TVs.
Our recommendation: For TVs over 40 inches, we always prefer mounting into at least one stud. If that’s impossible, use snap toggles rated for your TV’s weight plus a 50% safety margin.
TV Mounting on Brick: What’s Different
Brick walls are incredibly common in older Los Angeles homes, lofts, and commercial spaces — especially in neighborhoods like Downtown LA and Pasadena. Brick is stronger than drywall, but it’s also harder to work with.
Tools You’ll Need for Brick
- Hammer drill (not a regular drill): A standard drill bit will barely scratch brick. You need a hammer drill with masonry bits. Renting one from a hardware store runs about $40–60/day.
- Masonry anchors: Concrete sleeve anchors or Tapcon screws designed for masonry. Regular drywall anchors will not work.
- Level and pencil: Same as drywall — measure twice, drill once. Especially important because fixing a misaligned hole in brick is a real pain.
- Safety gear: Goggles and a dust mask. Drilling brick creates fine silica dust you don’t want in your lungs.
Brick vs Mortar: Where to Drill?
This is the question that trips up most DIYers. You have two choices:
- Drilling into brick: Stronger hold. Brick is denser and grips anchors better. Best for heavier TVs (55″+).
- Drilling into mortar joints: Easier to drill and easier to repair if you remove the mount later. Works fine for TVs under 50 lbs. However, mortar can crumble in older homes.
Our rule of thumb: If the brick is in good condition, drill into the brick itself. If the brick is old, crumbly, or decorative veneer, drill into the mortar — or better yet, call a pro to assess the wall first.
Brick vs Drywall: Side-by-Side Comparison
Difficulty
Drywall: Beginner to intermediate. Most homeowners can handle a stud-mounted TV with basic tools.
Brick: Intermediate to advanced. Requires specialized tools and more physical effort. One wrong move can crack the brick.
Tools Required
Drywall: Stud finder, drill, level, lag bolts or toggle anchors — about $20–40 in hardware if you already own a drill.
Brick: Hammer drill, masonry bits, concrete anchors, safety gear — about $60–100 in hardware, plus $40–60 for a drill rental if you don’t own one.
Hold Strength
Drywall (into studs): Excellent — 80–100+ lbs per stud.
Drywall (anchors only): Good — 50–80 lbs per anchor, but more prone to pulling out over time.
Brick: Excellent — a properly set masonry anchor in solid brick can hold 200+ lbs.
Cost to DIY
Drywall: $20–50 in hardware (assuming you have a drill).
Brick: $100–160 including drill rental and masonry hardware.
Professional Installation Cost
In Los Angeles, professional TV mounting typically costs $150–350 for drywall and $200–450 for brick, depending on TV size and cable management needs.
Cable Management: Another Key Difference
Here’s something people forget until the TV is already on the wall: where do the cables go?
With drywall, you can run cables inside the wall using an in-wall cable management kit. Cut a hole behind the TV, another near the outlet, and fish the cables through. Clean, invisible result.
With brick, running cables inside the wall isn’t really an option (unless you want to chisel a channel, which is messy and expensive). Most brick-mount installations use:
- Surface-mounted cable raceways: Paintable plastic channels that run along the wall. Not invisible, but tidy.
- Cord covers: Fabric or rubber covers that blend with the wall.
- Behind-furniture routing: If there’s a console or shelf below, you can simply route cables behind it.
When to DIY vs When to Call a Pro
DIY is fine if:
- You’re mounting on drywall with accessible studs
- Your TV is under 55 inches and under 50 lbs
- You own a drill and stud finder
- You’re comfortable with basic home projects
Call a professional if:
- You’re mounting on brick, stone, or concrete
- The wall is plaster over brick (common in older LA homes)
- You want in-wall cable management
- Your TV is 65″+ or over 70 lbs
- You’re mounting above a fireplace (extra heat considerations)
- You’re not sure what’s behind the wall
At Sunny’s Home Service, about 40% of our TV mounting jobs involve brick or mixed surfaces. It’s one of those tasks where the right tools and experience make a huge difference in both safety and the final look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you mount a TV on brick without drilling?
There are adhesive-based TV mounts and brick clip systems available, but we don’t recommend them for anything over 20 lbs. For a secure, long-term installation, drilling with proper masonry anchors is the only reliable method for brick walls.
How much weight can drywall hold without a stud?
A single heavy-duty toggle bolt in ½” drywall can hold 50–80 lbs. For TV mounting, we recommend using at least four anchor points and choosing hardware rated for at least 1.5x your TV’s weight. However, mounting into studs is always the preferred approach.
Is it better to mount a TV on brick or drywall?
Brick provides a stronger hold overall — a properly anchored bracket in solid brick can support 200+ lbs. Drywall mounted into studs is also very secure (80–100 lbs per stud). The “better” option depends on your wall type and TV size. Both work well with the right hardware and installation technique.
Do I need a special drill for brick walls?
Yes. A standard cordless drill won’t cut it — you need a hammer drill with masonry drill bits. The hammer function creates a rapid pulsing action that breaks through brick and concrete. You can rent one from most hardware stores for $40–60 per day.
How much does professional TV mounting on brick cost in Los Angeles?
Professional TV mounting on brick in Los Angeles typically costs $200–450, depending on TV size, mount type, and cable management needs. Drywall installations are slightly less at $150–350. At Sunny’s Home Service, we provide free quotes for all TV mounting jobs — call us at (213) 686-5039.
Ready to Mount Your TV the Right Way?
Whether your wall is brick, drywall, or that mysterious plaster-over-who-knows-what that’s so common in Los Angeles, we’ve got you covered. Our team handles TV mounting across all of LA — with the right tools, the right anchors, and zero guesswork.
Need help? Call Sunny’s Home Service at (213) 686-5039 for a free quote.