Mount a soundbar bracket on a metal stud wall — HomeGraft

Fit a soundbar bracket safely, checking your wall type first and using the correct fixing for a secure, level mount.

SB-01Plan the bracket positionDecide where the soundbar will sit, usually just below or above the TV. Mark the fixing points in pencil and check they're level with a spirit level. Leave room for the soundbar's width and for cables to run down to the amp or telly.

1 each · Spirit level

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1 each · Tape measure

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1 each · Pencil

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SB-02Work out what your wall is made ofTap the wall - a dull thud usually means solid brick or block, a hollow sound means plasterboard on a stud frame. Run a stud detector or magnet along the fixing line to find studs and their spacing. Drill a small 3mm pilot hole at one fixing point: fine white dust means plasterboard over masonry, pale timber dust means a wooden stud, and grey swarf means a metal stud.

1 each · Stud detector

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1 each · Small magnet

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SB-03Check for cables and pipes, and find your stopcockCables and pipes can run almost anywhere in a wall, not just in the usual safe zones, so a detector alone isn't proof it's clear. Before drilling, find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns, so you can shut the water off fast if you hit a pipe. If you have any doubt at all, isolate the circuit at the consumer unit before drilling, and only restore power once you're sure the wall is clear.

SB-04Fixing into solid brick or blockDrill with a masonry bit sized to your wall plug, typically 6mm for a standard plug, to a depth of about 35-40mm. Push the plug in fully, then drive in a 40mm screw. Solid masonry is the strongest wall type here and holds a soundbar bracket easily.

1 each · Masonry drill bit, 6mm

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1 pack of 10 · Rawlplug wall plugs

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4 each · Screws, 40mm

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SB-05Fixing into plasterboard on timber studsLine up the bracket so at least one fixing lands in the centre of a timber stud found in step 2. Drill a 2-3mm pilot hole into the stud, then drive a 40mm wood screw straight in - no plug needed. Where a fixing falls between studs, use a plasterboard toggle rated for the soundbar's weight.

4 each · Wood screws, 40mm

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2 each · Plasterboard toggle fixings

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SB-06Fixing into plasterboard on metal studsNever use a plain wall plug or an ordinary wood screw in a metal stud - it strips straight through the 0.5mm steel. Use a self-drilling metal-stud fixing or a toggle-type hollow-wall anchor rated for the soundbar's weight instead. A metal stud alone won't hold anything heavy, or a bracket that gets pulled or leant on; if your soundbar is heavy or the bracket has an arm, fit a timber noggin between the studs first, or fix through to the masonry behind.

4 each · Self-drilling metal stud fixings

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1 length · Timber noggin, 50x50mm

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SB-07Fixing into dot-and-dab plasterboardDot-and-dab plasterboard has an air gap of roughly 30-50mm behind it before it meets the masonry wall. Use a long fixing designed to bridge this gap and grip the solid wall behind, such as a 92mm frame fixing, rather than a standard wall plug that only grips the plasterboard. Drill through the plasterboard and dab, then into the masonry to the fixing's recommended depth.

4 each · Dot-and-dab fixings, 92mm

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SB-08Fixing into lath and plasterLath and plaster walls are old and can crack easily, so drill slowly and stop if the plaster starts to crumble. Where possible, fix into the timber batten or joist behind the laths with a wood screw. If you can only fix into the laths and plaster themselves, use a spring toggle rated for the soundbar's weight, spread across at least two fixing points.

2 each · Spring toggle fixings

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SB-09Fit the bracket to the wallHold the bracket against your pencil line and drive in the fixings you prepared for your wall type. Check it's level once fixed, and give it a firm pull to make sure it's secure before hanging anything on it.

1 each · Cordless drill/driver

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SB-10Attach the soundbar and dress the cablesClip or slot the soundbar onto the bracket following the manufacturer's instructions. Run the power and HDMI cables down the wall using cable clips or slim trunking, keeping them clear of the fixing points. Leave a little slack so nothing is pulled tight.

1 pack · Cable clips

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SB-11Tidy up and testVacuum up any dust or debris, especially plaster dust and metal swarf. Wipe down the wall and check the bracket and soundbar sit level and feel solid. Bin the packaging and offcuts, and put any spare fixings back in your toolbox.

1 each · Dust sheet

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