Brick is one of the best walls you can hang a TV on. Fitting a 55 inch TV wall mounting bracket to it takes a hammer drill, the right plugs and about an hour if the wall is sound. Below we cover the tools, the drilling and the mistakes we see most in older homes.
Quick answer: Check your TV's VESA pattern and weight, then pick a 55 inch TV wall mounting bracket rated well above that weight. Mark the holes level, drill into solid brick with a masonry bit, use the plugs and screws made for brick, and tighten firmly. Two people should lift the TV on. Old, crumbly brick needs heavier anchors or a pro.
Choosing the right wall mounting bracket for a 55 inch TV
Turn the TV over and look at the four threaded holes on the back. Their spacing is the VESA pattern, written in millimetres. The bracket must list that pattern and a weight limit above your TV's weight without its stand.
| Bracket type | How it sits | Load on the brick | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed | Flat against the wall | Lowest | Lounges where you sit straight in front |
| Tilt | Angles down a little | Low | TVs mounted a bit higher, such as in a bedroom |
| Full-motion arm | Pulls out and swings | Highest, as it levers on the plugs | Open-plan rooms or corner viewing |
For most lounges a fixed or tilt plate is plenty. A swinging arm puts much more pull on the top screws, so the brick and plugs matter even more. If you're unsure which type suits your room, our professional TV bracket fitting starts with that choice.
Tools you need for a brick wall
- A hammer drill, not a plain drill.
- A sharp masonry bit that matches the plug size on the bracket's instructions.
- A spirit level, pencil and tape measure.
- A cable and pipe detector.
- Plugs and screws made for brick. Many brackets include them, but check the length.
- A second person to help lift the TV.
Think about where the decoder and cables will sit before you drill, not after. Our guide to a clean DStv setup shows how to plan it.
How to fit a 55 inch TV mounting bracket on a brick wall
- Decide on the height. Most people like the centre of the screen near eye level when seated.
- Scan the wall for wiring and pipes, especially above and below plug points and light switches.
- Hold the wall plate in place, level it and mark the holes in pencil.
- Drill into the brick itself, not the mortar line between bricks, to the depth of the plug plus a little extra.
- Blow or vacuum the dust out of each hole, then tap the plugs in flush.
- Screw the plate on and check it's level again before the final turn.
- Fit the arms to the back of the TV, lift it on with a helper and lock any safety screws.
Safety first: Electrical cables often run straight up or down from switches and plugs, so never drill blindly near them. Switch off the circuit if you're unsure. Use a sturdy step ladder, never a chair, and don't try to lift a 55 inch screen onto the bracket on your own.
Need a hand in Franschhoek?
Tell us what you need or what your screen shows. We give you a clear price before we drive out.
Old brick walls in Franschhoek homes
Many cottages in the village and around Bo-Dorp have older clay brick under thick plaster. The plaster can be several centimetres deep, so short screws only grip the plaster, not the brick. Choose longer screws and plugs that reach well into the brick behind.
Some older bricks are soft and crumble when drilled. If the hole turns to powder, stop. A resin anchor or a different spot on the wall is safer, and our TV wall mounting team deals with this kind of wall every week.
Winter damp is another local issue. Walls that stay wet for months can weaken the plaster around plugs. Mount on an inside wall where you can, and keep the bracket away from patches of rising damp.
Technician tip: Plenty of Franschhoek lounges have a fireplace, and it's tempting to put the TV above it. Heat and smoke can shorten a TV's life, and the screen ends up too high for comfortable watching. A side wall is usually the better choice.
Hiding the cables on brick
Brick doesn't have a hollow space behind it, so cables can't simply drop inside the wall. You have two choices: neat surface trunking painted to match the wall, or chasing a channel into the brick and plastering over it. Chasing is tidier but messier to do, so plan it before the bracket goes up.
We can do either when we fit the bracket. If you're moving the decoder too, it helps to know which HDMI and coaxial connections must reach the TV.
Going bigger than a 55 inch TV wall mounting bracket
If you plan to upgrade the TV later, buy a bracket that already covers a bigger screen. A 65 inch TV mount usually has wider arms and a higher weight rating, so it can also take your current screen if the VESA pattern fits. A 70 inch TV bracket needs even more care on brick, with four solid fixings into good brick.
In guest rooms with low beams, a folding ceiling TV mount is sometimes an option. These hang from a ceiling joist, not brick, and suit bedrooms in guesthouses and boutique hotels. We'd check the joist before fitting one.
When to call a pro
Call a technician if the brick is soft, the wall is stone, you need a full-motion arm, or you want the cables chased in. Old farm buildings near La Provence, Mooiwater and Wemmershoek often have mixed stone and brick walls that are hard to read. We also tidy the DStv side, with DStv decoder setup once the screen is up.
For guest farms with several rooms, we can mount every TV to the same height and layout. That fits in with our commercial DStv installation work for lodges and estates.
Book TV mounting in the valley
If the wall is tricky or you'd rather not drill, our DStv installers in Franschhoek can fit the bracket, hang the TV and hide the cables in one visit. We quote first. Just get in touch with us and tell us the TV size and where it's going.
Talk to our Franschhoek team
We work across Franschhoek, La Motte, Groendal, Wemmershoek, Simondium and nearby. Call or WhatsApp us and we will tell you the practical next step.
55 inch TV wall mounting bracket: FAQs
What size 55 inch TV wall mounting bracket do I need?
You need a bracket whose VESA range includes the hole spacing on the back of your TV and whose weight limit is above your TV's weight without the stand. The 55 inch label is a guide, but the VESA pattern and weight rating are what really decide the fit.
What is the best way to mount a TV on a brick wall?
Use a hammer drill and masonry bit, drill into solid brick rather than the mortar, and use plugs and screws made for brick. Make sure the screws pass through the plaster into the brick. Check the wall plate is level before you lift the TV on.
Can a brick wall hold a 55 inch TV on a full-motion mounting bracket?
A sound brick wall can hold it well, as long as the fixings go into solid brick. Full-motion arms put a lot of leverage on the top screws when pulled out. On soft or crumbly brick, use resin anchors or ask a technician to check the wall first.
How do I mount a TV on a brick wall without wires showing?
You can either fit slim trunking on the surface and paint it, or cut a channel into the brick and plaster over the cables. The channel looks neater but should be planned before the bracket goes up. Keep power and signal cables apart where you can.
Do you fit TV brackets in Franschhoek guesthouses and farms?
Yes. We mount TVs in homes, guesthouses, wine estates and farm cottages across Franschhoek, La Motte and Groendal. We check the wall type first, quote before we start and can set up the DStv decoder in the same visit.
Need a DSTV technician?
Same-day DSTV installation, signal repair and Explora setup across Franschhoek and the Cape Winelands.
