Choose the Right TV Mount:

Ensure that the TV mount you choose is designed for metal studs. These mounts typically have wider attachment points and are specifically engineered to distribute the weight evenly across the studs. Check the product specifications to confirm its compatibility with metal studs. We recommend Sanus brand TV mounts for both wood and metal studs because they are wider than many of the less expensive brands you might find on Amazon. Because metal studs are stronger than wood studs, and are often not used for load-bearing walls, they can be placed further apart than wood studs. For this reason, you must purchase a TV mount that is wide enough to accommodate metal stud spacing. 

Measure and Mark the Location of the TV:

First, you’ll need to determine where you would like to mount your TV on the wall. We recommend using this guide to help you determine the proper height and viewing angle. Next, place a piece of blue painter’s tape on the wall where you’d like to mount the TV. We recommend using blue painter’s tape so that you don’t leave permanent marks on your walls. 

Locate the Metal Studs:

There are a few ways you can locate metal studs. As discussed in our article on how to mount a TV to wood studs, all electrical outlets and light switches are attached to studs, so this is a good place to start looking. If you locate a light switch or electrical outlet attached to a metal stud, you can then measure in either direction to find the next closest stud. Metal studs should be either 16”, 18”, or 24” apart. You can either use a magnetic stud finder, or an electronic stud finder, just like you would in a wall built with wood studs. Move the stud finder horizontally until it detects the stud, or until the magnetic stud finder sticks to the metal stud through the drywall. If using an electronic stud finder, it should indicate where the center of the stud is, but you’ll still want to verify you’ve found the center of the stud. It is important to find the exact center of the metal stud, because depending on the width of the stud, there may not be much room for error. Unlike wood studs, you’ll need to drill a ½” hole through the exact center of the metal stud for the mounting hardware to work. When mounting a TV to metal studs, you’ll be using toggle bolts instead of lag screws. You can use traditional toggle bolts, but we recommend using more modern toggle bolts like the Flip Toggle for their ease of installation. Please note that, unlike wood studs, metal studs can vary in width. You must drill through the center of the metal stud, so it is recommended that you verify where the edge of the stud is by drilling small holes until you find the right and left edge of the stud, then measure this distance and divide by two, to find the center of the stud. 

Drill Toggle Bolt Holes and Attach the TV Mounting Bracket:

Now that you’ve found the center of the metal studs, it’s time to drill the holes for the toggle bolts. You’ll need to drill four, ½” holes through the center of the studs for the toggle bolts. You’ll drill two holes in the right stud and two in the left stud. Drilling through metal can be a challenge, so you’ll want to make sure you use the correct drill bit. We recommend using a step-bit. A step bit is designed to drill through metal and is much easier than using a carbide bit, because it starts small and works its way up to the full ½”. Once you’ve drilled the holes, use a flashlight to look inside the holes and make sure there are no obstructions or hazards in the way, before attempting to install the toggle bolts. Shine the light inside the holes and if you need to, use a pencil or other object to move the insulation or electrical wires out of the way. Next, you’ll insert the toggle bolts. Follow the directions on the packaging, depending on which style you are using. Once the toggle bolts are installed, you can attach the TV mounting bracket.

Hang The TV:

Now you are ready to hang the TV onto the mounting bracket. With help from another person, carefully pick the TV up and hang it on the wall bracket, paying close attention to the instructions so that the TV is securely attached to the wall. Use cable ties to hide any wires and fine-tune the leveling adjustment and tilt. 

Congratulations, you’ve mounted your TV to metal studs and are ready to enjoy your new home theater setup. If you’d like more information about professional TV mounting service in Austin Texas, click here to request a quote.