Wall construction/strength for mounting TV

Hi there,

In my 6 year old condo, there is one corner which has been constructed as a "bevelled" wall, instead of the usual 90 degree corner (see the photo).

This flattened corner wall is 1/2" drywall, about 20" wide, but from what I can tell, there are no studs behind it or at the edges. In the void behind is air vent ducting and a waste water pipe.

What I'd like to do is mount a 32" TV (the same one in the photo) to that corner wall with a stand-off mount using mollies, but not knowing much about this wall's construction and how it's fixed, I'm wondering if the drywall/edges are strong enough to support the weight combined with the downward pull from a TV that will stand out from the wall 8 or 10 inches. Without being secured to studs anywhere, is there a chance the drywall could start to pull away at the edges or something?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

The TV mount needs to be attached to some type of framing. Drywall will not support a TV regardless the type of anchors used. If you can't find a stud I would recommend opening the wall and install some backing for the mount to attach to. Backing can be 2x material or 3/4" plywood attached to the studs.

 

Strange wall's with the different heights at the top.

As noted you need studs but I'll bet there are studs at the corners. Get a small finish nail and tap it in at the corners to find out.

If found now the question is can a tv mount will fit within the angles. You might be able to cut some 2x4's and mount across the flat, into the corners (assuming there are studs) then install the tv mount.

 

Cut a piece of 1/2" plywood approximately 12" by the width of the angle. There are studs in the corner, so you can attach the plywood in the corners securely with decking screws, then mount the TV on the Plywood. It can be painted to match the wall to make it not stand out.

 

OK. So I did the finishing nail test on each side of the "flattened" corner, and the nail met with immediate resistance. Eventually it tapped through, but did not seem to end up in a stud at all. Weird wall construction.

Could it be possible the corners are secured to each other with that metal strapping type stuff (sorry, no idea what it's called), and there are no studs in the corners?

Better to forget the wall mount idea and build a stand instead?

 

No, but they could have built the wall as my super good picture shows below with the studs slightly in from the corner. Note that since this is a condo it is also possible that the studs are steel. You might want to get a stud finder. (or a magnet )

 

Based on the "resistamce, then tapped thru" comment... you may have steel studs as Tolyn mentioned. Grab a strong magnet to find out.

If he has steel studs, can he use long tek type screws to mount plywood as Chandler suggested?

 

That looks like boxed out ductwork at the top. There could be a duct behind that corner or it could be a wet wall with plumbing running thru there. Be careful blasting thru.

 

In the center near the floor I'd cut a rectangular opening slightly smaller than an old work single gang box. That will let you see what is going on inside. If it looks like no go you can either patch the hole or if, like me, you're not good with Sheetrocking just put in an old work box with a blank cover plate.