How Wall Texture Affects Mounting Techniques
Not all walls are created equal. The texture and material of your walls affect how a TV mount is installed and how the finished result looks.
Smooth Drywall: The Easiest Surface
Smooth drywall is the most common wall surface in newer homes and the easiest to work with for TV mounting. Studs are typically on standard 16-inch centers, stud finders work reliably, and any holes from the installation can be patched and touched up with matching paint. Cable management is also straightforward on smooth drywall because low-voltage brackets and in-wall cable plates sit flush against the flat surface. The mount plate contacts the wall evenly, distributing weight properly across the lag bolts. If you need to add an outlet behind the TV , cutting into smooth drywall is clean and precise.
Textured Walls: Knockdown, Orange Peel, and Skip Trowel
Many homes have textured drywall finishes like knockdown, orange peel, or skip trowel. These textures add visual interest to walls but create small challenges during TV mounting. The textured surface can make it harder to get a mount plate perfectly flush against the wall, especially with heavy knockdown texture that has raised ridges. For cable management, textured walls make surface-mounted cable covers slightly more noticeable because the cover's smooth surface contrasts with the surrounding texture. In-wall concealment is the preferred approach on textured walls for the cleanest result. If holes need to be patched, matching the existing texture requires some skill. Your technician will match the texture pattern on any patched areas so repairs blend seamlessly with the surrounding wall. The wall types guide covers the most common textures found in residential homes.
Plaster Walls in Older Homes
Homes built before the 1960s in neighborhoods like your area, your area, and Englewood often have plaster-over-lath walls instead of modern drywall. Plaster is harder and more brittle than drywall, which changes the mounting process. Standard stud finders can give false readings on plaster because the density of the plaster and the metal lath behind it interfere with the sensors. Experienced technicians use specialized techniques to locate studs in plaster walls, including rare-earth magnet finders and small probe holes. Drilling into plaster requires masonry-rated bits and careful technique to avoid cracking the surrounding surface. The plaster can chip and crack if drilled too aggressively. Lag bolts still anchor into the wood studs behind the plaster and lath, providing the same solid hold as in drywall. The older homes mounting guide has detailed tips for plaster wall installations.
Brick, Stone, and Concrete Surfaces
Some homes have brick accent walls, stone fireplaces, or concrete basement walls where homeowners want TVs mounted. These surfaces require entirely different hardware and techniques. Concrete sleeve anchors or Tapcon screws replace standard lag bolts. Drilling requires a hammer drill with masonry bits, and the process generates more dust and noise than drywall installations. Cable management on masonry surfaces is limited to surface-mounted solutions unless there is a chase or conduit built into the structure. Concrete and brick mounting is a specialty service that requires specific tools and experience.
Getting It Right on Any Surface
Whatever your walls are made of, TV Solutions has the tools and experience to mount your TV safely and cleanly. Every home in the service area presents its own combination of wall types, and your technician arrives prepared for all of them. From modern drywall in Erie new builds to century-old plaster bungalows, the result is always the same: a level, secure, professionally finished TV mount. Book your installation online to get started.