TV Mount Studs Too Far Apart? Fix Wall Studs

The wall stud's job is to support the drywall on the interior walls and the timber sheathing on the external side. Usually, the distance between studs is 16 or 24 inches at the center. While buying a full motion wall mount to fix your new LCD or LED TV, you noticedtv mount studs too far apart. What should you do now?

Firstly, use a stud finder to locate the stud position. The best solution you can try is using a piece of 3/4-inch plywood to cover the gap between the two studs. Additionally, you can resolve the stud distance by utilizing the new bracket, an additional point, a wooden or metal bar TV mount, mounting in the corner, or adding the fixed point.

In this article, you’ll be able to find proper instructions related to mounting studs. So, we hope you’ll get your answer, as we have the best ideas waiting for you!

What If My Studs Are Too Far Apart?

If you find the studs have extra distance in between them, you will probably have to encounter some issues while mounting the TV. When the studs are widely apart, they are most likely not up to code.

This actually indicates you should hire a carpenter or contractor to properly fix the distance. They will add the necessary blocking as well as install the wall wires behind the TV.

How Far Apart Should The Studs Be Placed?

Between the top and bottom plates of the wall, studs are inserted in vertical lines. In general, the outside wall studs are 24" apart, whereas the inside wall studs are 16". Basically, the 16-inch on-center spacing is ideal for the majority of interior weight-bearing walls.

TV Mount Studs Too Far Apart: Reasons Behind Distance

Focusing on the industry-standard distance between tv wall studs is significant since it enhances and improves the efficiency of the construction processes. But what if the distance is not standard? What is the reason behind such a distance between wall studs?

1. The excessive height of the TV mount causes neck discomfort or spreads the studs too far.
2. Placing the TV above the fireplace extends the distance between the studs and shortens their lives.
3. Also, you should ensure that the studs are not thin strapping on concrete or brick.

See Also: Single stud TV mount weight limit

How To Mount TV If Studs Are Too Far Apart: Ideas To Follow

 

So, the issue we discovered from many forum sites is that the wall mount stud is too close to the TV. Assume you have a massive 75-inch TV mounted on plasterboard and secured to wood studs. But unfortunately, the mount isn't wide enough to go near the studs.

So, you're probably wondering, "Is there any way to fix this, or should we start looking for another spot to mount the TV? Or, what to do if studs are too far apart for TV mount? Right?

When the studs are in an awkward location, you have a multitude of choices to consider. Hence, if you follow the ideas we have, the stud distance is just a childish issue that can be fixed without any hassle!

Materials You May Need

Having the mounting stud too far in between is not a big deal. So, when attempting to fix it for proper installation, get all the tools we are mentioning below.

• Stud Finder or Detector
• Plywood
• Tape measure
• A metal bar or wooden mount
• Power drill
• Screwdriver
• Primer
• Screws
• Pencil
• Leveler
• Spray print.

Identifying the Studs in Your Wall

The stud is often located underneath the drywall and spaced 16" to 24" apart. For the best possible location for stud, you can keep a few things in mind, such as:

• You can check for conventional stud spacing of 16 to 24" to find the stud.
• The best solution is to employ an electric stud finder or detector to identify the location of the studs.
• Check for power outlets to get an idea of the stud area.
• Dimplese, especially in plaster walls, indicates where the drywall has been connected to the edge of the wall stud.
• Knocking or tapping with the hammer is an old-school idea but has an effect on understanding the stud location. Hearing a muffled noise indicates the presence of a stud.
• You can also tap on the wall to mark the locations where the vertical wooden frames pass through.
• Magnets can also be used to locate the metal stud.

Utilize Some Extra Wall Points

What if you find the location is not ideal for mounting a TV? What if the stud distance is not accurate according to your needs? Just make additional points by cutting the wall. More points should also be placed on the cut sections to keep the bracket in place. Then, go for the steps:

• Select the section of the wall that you want to cut.
• After identifying the center of your studs, mark a rectangle with your pencil in the space within the wall, both vertically and horizontally.
• Next, you should determine the height of the wall with a tape measure.
• You will also need to understand the height readings of brackets and calculate the distance between the bottom and top of the fastening points.
• Make sure you have adequate room on both columns to add extra fixing points.
• Then, cut the lining with a handsaw after marking outlines.
• You can add the framing at the bottom and top of your lining.
• After that, screw your two or three studs into place to keep the monitor from collapsing.
• Also, ensure that the points are in the right place.

Make A Plywood Mounting Plate

Let's take an example: a TV mount for studs 32 inches apart. Now, what should you do to fix the problem since your stud's distance is not matching?

You can use mounting to install the accurate piece of 3/4" plywood on the apartment wall and reach the studs. You can also go to a lumber yard and get a board that is 1 inch by 10 inches by 8 feet long.

Just before that, keep in mind that some grades of plywood can take paint much better, and it's worthwhile investing in a 2x4 sheet of birch plywood instead of the least expensive timber in the market. Besides this, make sure you follow the given instructions while using plywood to fix the distance problem between studs.

• You can reduce the size of the plate to make it more hidden after the TV is mounted.
• When fastening the plywood to both studs, ensure it's wide enough to conceal at least two studs.
• Attach the ply to your mount studs with the help of a power drill for wood screws, lag bolts, or hidden fasteners to make a strong mount point with minimal chance of loosening.
• Avoid face screwing because it stops the plywood from expanding or compressing, which might cause the nails or screws to loosen over time.
• We highly recommend 3-inch all-purpose screws.
• And before attaching the TV mount, paint the ply with primer and color that suits the wall.

Install A Metal Or A Wooden Mount

Plywood is a common idea, so if you prefer something different, then you should definitely opt for the wooden or metal bar mounts where the 2×4  steel bars with holes can be fastened across your two studs. Additionally, some other steps will let you mount the TV securely without getting into any trouble related to stud location distance.

• Confirm the location of the studs in your wall by using the stud finder.
• Make sure you get the 2 by 4 perforated bars and spray paint to match your wall's color.
• Before mounting the bar, let the paint dry.
• Then, hold one of the bars with openings against your wall.
• While attaching the mount, you should mark the holes with a pencil or marker, and the spot must be drilled into the two studs.
• Now, place the second bar in place directly below the first bar's holes.
• Get your lever to ensure the bars are positioned parallel at this point.
• And make sure both bars are inserted into the designated holes with your drill before mounting the TV mount to your wooden or steel bars.

Attach the TV in the Corner

We discovered on a forum site that someone was attempting to mount the Hitachi over the fireplace. He found three studs, with one in the center and a 58-inch gap between the two outermost studs. Now, when he attempts to install the TV mount, he finds it difficult. So, what can we do if the wall is not suitable due to a stud issue?

• You can simply place your TV mount in a corner. In addition to saving space, it also provides other beneficial facts, such as multiple studs.
• Before starting the job, make sure you find the stud location with the stud finder or by following the knocking method.
• The next job is to mark the drilled holes while holding the mounting bracket against the corner.
• Make sure you securely fix it in the corner since there is a chance of it collapsing.
• And you should avoid installing the TV in a corner when you prefer to fix it underneath the soundbar.

Get A New Bracket Or An Adjustable Bracket

We already shared so many excellent ideas, but if you prefer something else, you can consider employing a new bracket. You can choose from a wooden bracket, one with metal framing, a fixed bracket, a full-motion bracket, a tilting bracket, or perhaps an adjustable bracket. For a proper installation, you must follow a few steps.

• Following the markings, cut the rectangular plasterboard on the wall.
• You will need to mark two vertical points in the center of the studs and ensure that you have enough wood to reinstall the plasterboard.
• If you prefer to attach the TV, measure the height and distance between your mount's bottom and top attachment points.
• Keep enough room for the horizontal fix to cover the rows and drop beyond the cutout.
• Employ 8/2 or 6/2-sized boards for proper anchoring and leave a mark on the top and bottom cut outlines.
• While cutting, a handsaw or knife would be preferable.
• Additionally, you can add some extra framing length at the bottom, and later on, you'll probably find 2 flat blocks rather than 4.
• And don't forget to use some massive screws or a coach on both ends for additional safety.

See Also: How to mount a tv on the wall without studs

FAQ

If you have some queries regarding the TV mount stud distance, make sure you don’t skip the Q&A section. We have included all the common questions and the solutions that can resolve your trouble while mounting a TV.

Why are my studs 24 inches apart?

Studs are typically installed on 16" centers; however, if the local codes permit, 24" can be installed as well. Essentially, outside-framed walls can be effectively supported with 2x6 stud spacing and 24 inches. Also, larger spacing may minimize heat resistance while increasing insulation space.

Is the TV mount for studs 32 inches apart?

We commonly observed stud distances of 16 inches to 24 inches at best. So, 32 inches is a little bit extra where you'll need proper installation of a TV mount in the right place but ultimately failed for the distance. However, installing the TV with drywall bolts and anchors can be great.

What is the maximum stud distance?

The wall stud's distance should be 16" (406mm) or 24 inches (609.6 mm) in the center. The height of outside and weight-bearing walls should not be more than 8 feet (2438 mm) and 10 feet (3048 mm).

How do you mount a TV on wide studs?

A piece of plywood can be used to bridge the gap between the two studs. You can also add a new adjustable bracket, a wood or metal mount, or place the TV in the corner to get multiple studs.

Wrapping Up

So what if you notice theTV mount studs too far apart? Next time you hang the TV on the wall, you can apply the given ideas we discussed above, particularly the plywood idea. Besides that, a new adjustable bracket or attaching the TV in the corner will be our top pick.

Additionally, before trying to attach the TV mount, another priority is focusing on the standard stud distance, which is 16 to 24 inches. But if the distance between the mount studs is crossing the line of standard form, we hope following our guidelines will show you the right path. So, leave the hassle behind and attach your mount confidently in the future!