Short answer: you can mount a TV on any of the three common Sydney wall types. On plasterboard (gyprock) the bracket should be fixed into the timber or steel studs behind the sheet, not into the plasterboard alone. On brick and concrete the bracket goes straight into the masonry with the right anchors. What changes most between them is how the cables get hidden.
Not sure what your wall is? Knock on it. Plasterboard sounds hollow between the studs and solid on them. Brick and concrete sound solid everywhere and feel cold. If you still can’t tell, choose “Not sure” in our quote form and we’ll check on the day.
Plasterboard (gyprock) walls
Most houses and many apartments in Sydney have internal walls made of plasterboard sheets fixed to a timber or steel frame.
Can plasterboard hold a TV? The sheet itself is thin and isn’t strong enough to carry a TV on its own, especially on a full-motion arm that pulls away from the wall. A safe installation fixes the bracket into the studs. Studs usually sit roughly half a metre apart, so a wide bracket can catch two of them.
What if the studs are in the wrong place? If the studs don’t line up with where you want the TV, there are options: a bracket with a wide wall plate that reaches two studs, or a timber or steel backing fitted inside the wall. The TV shouldn’t hang from the plasterboard sheet alone.
Cables: plasterboard is the easiest wall for hiding cables. If the cavity is clear (no noggings or insulation in the way), cables drop inside the wall from the TV to the devices below, finished with cover plates or a bullnose plate. That’s included in STV’s Platinum package for runs up to 3 m.
Watch out for: electrical cables and water pipes can run inside the wall, so they need to be located before drilling.
Brick walls
Older Sydney homes often have double-brick walls, and many newer homes have brick veneer on the outside with plasterboard inside.
Can brick hold a TV? Yes, solid brick holds a TV very well. The anchors go into the brick itself, not the mortar joints, which are weaker. Hollow or crumbly old bricks need a different anchor, so the brick has to be checked before choosing fixings.
Cables: you can’t drop cables inside a solid brick wall. The options are:
- a slim wall conduit (cover strip) that runs from the TV down to the devices and can be painted to match the wall
- chasing a channel into the brick and rendering over it (neat, but more work, dust and cost)
- running cables behind furniture or a cabinet directly under the TV
Brick veneer: if the inside wall is plasterboard on a frame, it’s treated like a plasterboard wall.
Concrete walls
Concrete walls are common in Sydney apartment buildings.
Can concrete hold a TV? Yes, concrete is the strongest option. It needs a hammer drill and masonry anchors.
Before drilling into concrete in an apartment:
- check your strata by-laws; some buildings require approval before drilling into walls, especially common property or walls shared with neighbours
- some concrete walls and slabs carry services or steel reinforcement, which need to be located before drilling
- quiet hours apply in many buildings, so choose a booking time that fits
Cables: like brick, cables in concrete walls go in a surface conduit, behind furniture, or in a chased channel (which often isn’t allowed in strata buildings). Many apartment owners pair a conduit with a slim cabinet under the TV.
Which bracket for which wall?
| Bracket | Plasterboard (into studs) | Brick | Concrete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed / slim | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tilt | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Full-motion (swivel arm) | Yes, fixed to studs or a backing | Yes | Yes |
| Ceiling mount | Into ceiling joists only | n/a | Yes (slab) |
Full-motion arms put the most load on the wall when extended, so they always need a solid fixing.
Large TVs (75 inches and up)
Big TVs are heavier and act like a lever on full-motion arms. On plasterboard they need a stud fixing or a backing inside the wall; on brick and concrete they need heavy-duty anchors. They usually take two people to lift safely. At STV, 66″ to 75″ TVs are $599 + GST with the Platinum package (bracket of your choice included), 76″ to 85″ TVs are quoted, and 86″ to 100″ TVs are $450 + GST on your own flat bracket or $599 + GST with one supplied. See the price list and the TV bracket guide.
Book or ask a question
Send us a photo of the wall and your TV model and we’ll tell you what’s involved and give you a price. Call 0468 364 234 or book online. See how much TV wall mounting costs in Sydney for prices.
FAQ
Can you mount a TV on plasterboard without studs?
For a safe job, the bracket should be fixed into the studs or into a backing installed inside the wall. Full-motion arms and large TVs always need a solid fixing.
Is it harder to mount a TV on brick?
Not harder, but it needs masonry drilling and the right anchors. Hiding cables is the bigger difference, since they can’t run inside a solid brick wall.
Do I need strata approval to mount a TV in my apartment?
It depends on your building’s by-laws. Check with your strata manager before booking, especially for walls shared with neighbours or common property.
Can you hide cables in a brick or concrete wall?
Yes, with a slim conduit painted to match the wall, behind furniture, or by chasing a channel into the wall where that’s allowed.
What’s the best wall for a TV?
Any of them, as long as the fixing suits the wall. Plasterboard is easiest for hiding cables; brick and concrete give the strongest fixing.