[biker1]

If you are talking about the outer wall of a Gardenia, it is concrete block with furring strips for attaching the drywall (at least mine is). There is foam board insulation between the furring strips. However, you can attach the mount directly into the concrete block as the furring strips are not all that thick. There aren't any metal studs on the outer wall.

Originally Posted by Mrs. Heck

BestBuy says we can have them hang a 77 inch tv on outer wall of a Gardenia. They say they’ve done tons of them. They say there are wood strips (forgot what he called them) next to the metal joists that are in the wall which is what they secure the tv hanger device to. Are these wood pieces big enough to secure the bracket to hold a 60+ lb tv. Anyone done this and successfully the tv has stayed attached?

[rsmurano]

The geek squad members are clueless, in store or on the road. I’ve had friends tell me about their internal network setups and they were a joke. I’ve had people hire them to do computer work and they were terrible

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by biker1

If you are talking about the outer wall of a Gardenia, it is concrete block with furring strips for attaching the drywall (at least mine is). There is foam board insulation between the furring strips. However, you can attach the mount directly into the concrete block as the furring strips are not all that thick. There aren't any metal studs on the outer wall.

Actually the OP's description doesn't make sense because metal joists are horizontal structural members, not vertical metal studs. I agree that there are probably no metal studs in the exterior wall, but I would still want to drill through the furring strips, and use a concrete anchor if the furring strips are not thick enough. A key factor is how many screws you can install to support the TV wall plate. I would buy a TV mount with a large area wall plate. Definitely not one that only uses 2 lag screws. I don't think all exterior walls in The Villages are constructed the same way.

[biker1]

I assumed he meant metal studs but those don't exist on the outside walls, at least not in my house. Metal studs are limited to interior non-load bearing walls. I wasn't watching but I am pretty sure the TV mount on the outside wall of my Gardenia is mounted into the concrete block. I believe there are 4 screws.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Actually the OP's description doesn't make sense because metal joists are horizontal structural members, not vertical metal studs. I agree that there are probably no metal studs in the exterior wall, but I would still want to drill through the furring strips, and use a concrete anchor if the furring strips are not thick enough. A key factor is how many screws you can install to support the TV wall plate. I would buy a TV mount with a large area wall plate. Definitely not one that only uses 2 lag screws. I don't think all exterior walls in The Villages are constructed the same way.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by biker1

If you are talking about the outer wall of a Gardenia, it is concrete block with furring strips for attaching the drywall (at least mine is). There is foam board insulation between the furring strips. However, you can attach the mount directly into the concrete block as the furring strips are not all that thick. There aren't any metal studs on the outer wall.

Apparently, some of the houses are constructed differently, I have photographic proof we have metal studs on the outside wall, I will mention that ours is NOT a spec house, we bought the lot and built.

[rsmurano]

It’s really easy to hang a tv on a wall. You do t need furring strips either, you can go directly into a concrete block wall, drywall with appropriate moly bolts, or screw it to furring strips. I normally try to get 2 holes into a 2x4 or 2x6 and use moly bolts for the other 1 holes.
They also make a kit that has a plastic piece that you cut a hole in the wall next to an electrical outlet and fish the power and any other cables you need from at the bottom of the wall to behind the tv.

https://a.co/d/gzTNiaz

https://a.co/d/9JMwiJz

[ElDiabloJoe]

Here is how you can save yourself a whole lot of hassle:

Amazon.com: Perlegear Mobile TV Cart for 32-80 Inch Flat/Curved LED/LCD/OLED TVs Rolling TV Stand with Height Adjustable Shelf Max VESA 600x400mm up to 100lbs- Outdoor TV Stand Trolley with Wheels PGTVMC05-1 : Office Products

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe

Here is how you can save yourself a whole lot of hassle:

Amazon.com: Perlegear Mobile TV Cart for 32-80 Inch Flat/Curved LED/LCD/OLED TVs Rolling TV Stand with Height Adjustable Shelf Max VESA 600x400mm up to 100lbs- Outdoor TV Stand Trolley with Wheels PGTVMC05-1 : Office Products

I like this solution.

[rsmurano]

Originally Posted by PGApromike

VillageTinker has it correct. Cut a 1/2" piece of plywood slightly larger than the tv mount. Can even paint it with some touch up paint from your home. Then use the supplied anchor screws from the TV mount. Should take around 30 minutes total if you have the materials and tools. If it's a newer TV, likely is less then 60 pounds. My Samsung 75" is about 30 pounds. Good luck.

I wouldn’t do it this way. Why?
1) why do you need the plywood? You state use the anchor screws, for what? You didn’t explain yourself. Are you stating to mount the plywood 1st to the wall then mount the tv mount to the plywood? If so, why? It’s just as easy to mount the tv mount right on the wall, you don’t need the plywood.
2) if you are thinking using the anchor screws thru the mount and thru the plywood to the stud, you better know that you need to go 1.5” into the stud so your anchor screws better be 2.5” long.
3) if you put plywood on the wall it will stick out like a sore thumb painted or not
4) if you use plywood, you wouldn’t be able to use those wall cavity plates to hide your cables. You don’t want your cables to be seen out in the open. I sent links to these wall plates in an earlier post.

I’ve installed many wall mount TVs. Unless you are hanging a plasma 65” tv that’s 100lbs, most of the TVs today are lightweight. I have pieces of art that are heavier than the new TVs and I just use those hangers on the drywall that hold the weight.

You get a stud finder, 1 that will find wood and metal studs, and if possible, line up all 4 holes to the studs. I’ve hung 65” TVs that I used 2 lag bolts on 1 side of the tv mount into the studs and the other side I used moly bolts. Not a problem.

[Remembergoldenrule]

Please remember your neighbors once you hang that huge TV with movie theater sound. We have neighbor with the huge TV and we get to listen to it all day and night from INSIDE our house. We can’t even enjoy our lanai anymore. Please remember not all the neighbors want to listen to your sports and movies. Please use ear buds and enjoy as loud as you want.

[douglange]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Not sure about the firring strips, our house (2013 vintage Gardenia block construction) has metal studs, I installed a ~4.5 foot strip of plywood across 3 studs with 3 or 4 screws in each stud location. I then used this for the TV mounting hardware. You never see the wood as the TV is 75 inch model, and this mounting has been used for 2 TVs.

The exterior wall has furring strips to secure the Sheetrock - interior walls have metal studs.

Your method is the best -
if the tv mount has a telescopic feature, the metal can buckle from the increased stress when the tv is extended.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Mounting a TV on a wall is not rocket science. The cost to mount it would be a big factor for me. I have never heard of a TV falling off of the wall.

I have heard stories first hand of TVs falling off the wall when installed by some handi-men here in the Villages. It does happen.

You really should hire someone who knows the homes here in the Villages and uses the right mount and fasteners depending on your home's construction.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by jrref

I have heard stories first hand of TVs falling off the wall when installed by some handi-men here in the Villages. It does happen.

You really should hire someone who knows the homes here in the Villages and uses the right mount and fasteners depending on your home's construction.

I agree with that. I am also concerned about the bathroom mirrors installed by the builder. They are just glued to the wall. A few mirror clips can give you some peace of mind, but I guess some people find them unsightly.

[HogPilot]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Most new 75-inch TVs weigh closer to 70 pounds, without the stand.

Just bought a 75 inch Samsung weighing in at about 70-80 lbs. with stand. Much lighter than my old 90+ lb 70 inch sharp.

[retiredguy123]

I don't think the OP is going to install the TV herself. I would suggest that she get a price from both Best Buy and Villages AV. Either company can do the job, and I would feel comfortable either way. But, I would not hire a handyman.