How to Mount a TV on a Brick or Concrete Wall
Mounting a TV on drywall is forgiving. Brick and concrete are not. These surfaces are dense, require specific hardware, and punish small mistakes. Done right, though, a brick or concrete mount is rock-solid — often stronger than a stud-mounted install.
Here's what the job actually involves.
Why Brick and Concrete Are Different
Standard drywall installs rely on wood studs. Brick and concrete are solid all the way through — great for holding weight, but standard wood screws and drywall anchors won't work. You need three things most people don't have on hand:
- A hammer drill (not a standard drill) with masonry bits
- Masonry sleeve anchors or concrete wedge anchors sized for your mount's bolt diameter
- A mount rated for your TV's weight, with multiple anchor points to distribute the load
The surface type matters too. Poured concrete, brick, concrete block (CMU) and natural stone all behave slightly differently — but the core process is the same.
Step 1: Pick the Right Mount for the Wall
Before you drill a single hole, decide on the mount type:
- Fixed mount: sits flat against the wall, cleanest look, lowest profile
- Tilt mount: angles the screen downward — useful when mounting higher than eye level
- Full-motion mount: extends and swivels for flexible viewing from multiple spots
For brick or concrete, full-motion mounts put more stress on the anchors because of the leverage arm. Make sure the mount's stated weight rating is at least 1.5× your TV's actual weight. A quality mount matters more here than it does on drywall.
Step 2: Plan Your Height Before You Drill
Once you drill into brick or concrete, those holes are permanent. Take time upfront to get the height right. The general guideline: the centre of the screen at eye level when seated — roughly 42 to 48 inches from the floor for a standard sofa setup. Dining rooms and bedrooms may be slightly higher.
Use painter's tape to mark the proposed centre point and step back. Live with it for a few minutes before you commit. Above the fireplace is a separate case, with different height and heat considerations.
Step 3: Mark, Drill, and Anchor
Hold the mount flat against the wall and use a bubble level to confirm it's square. Mark each anchor hole with a pencil. Fit your hammer drill with a masonry bit that matches the outer diameter of your anchors, and set the drill to hammer mode — this is the step most DIYers skip, and it's why bits get destroyed and holes wander. Drill straight and steady.
Once drilled, clear the dust (compressed air works well) and tap the masonry anchors in until flush. On brick specifically: aim for the brick face, not the mortar joints — mortar is softer and holds anchors less reliably. If your bolt pattern lands on a mortar line, shift the bracket slightly so anchors hit solid brick.
Step 4: Attach the Mount and Check It
Thread the bolts through the mount and into the anchors. Tighten firmly with a wrench — but don't overtorque, which can crack brick or strip the anchor. Once tightened, grip the mount with both hands and pull in every direction. It should not move at all. Any wobble? Remove the anchor, clear the hole, and re-anchor before hanging anything on it.
Step 5: Hang the TV and Manage the Cables
Attach the VESA arms to the back of the TV before lifting onto the wall bracket. For any TV 55 inches or larger, two people aren't optional — they're essential. For cable management on masonry, running cables inside the wall is rarely practical; a surface raceway is the cleanest option. SharpStage offers external cable concealment from $39, or in-wall management from $69 where the wall allows.
When It Makes Sense to Call a Pro
This is manageable if you have a hammer drill and some confidence with masonry. Consider hiring a pro if you've never used a hammer drill on masonry, you're unsure about anchor sizing or load ratings, you want a clean finish without visible raceways, or the TV is going above a fireplace or in a tricky corner.
SharpStage TV Mounting handles brick, concrete, plaster, stone and all wall types across the GTA and Hamilton. Every package includes the mount, starts at $129, and comes with same-day service at no extra charge — and you pay only when the job's done and you're satisfied. Open 8am–8pm, 7 days a week. Call or text 437-599-5020 to book, or find availability in your area:
📱 Text us for a quote 📞 437-599-5020