Pensacola Drywall vs Concrete: What Your Wall Studs Mean for an 85″ TV
Will Your Pensacola Wall Hold That 85-Inch TV? Here’s How to Tell
Hey there—Jhonny from RTA Productions LLC. Before I bolt an 85-inch screen to someone’s wall, the very first question I hear is, “Can this wall even handle it?” Pensacola homes are a mash-up of new drywall builds, mid-century plaster bungalows, and concrete-block beach houses, so the answer is always, “It depends on what’s hiding behind your paint.”
Below is the same nuts-and-bolts information I use on site every day, but in plain language, you can skim with your morning coffee.
1. Drywall with Wooden Studs
Most newer houses (and a lot of renovations) fall into this category.
What’s back there? Pine studs every 16 inches, covered by ½-inch drywall.
Fasteners that work: 5/16-inch lag bolts, 3–3½ inches long. Two bolts into two separate studs will hold well over 200 pounds.
What to watch for:
Tap the wall—hollow thud between studs, solid “thunk” on the stud itself.
A cheap, rare-earth magnet will find the drywall screws and save you from guessing.
2. Concrete-Block (CMU) Walls
Common near the beach or in hurricane-rated buildings.
What’s back there? Hollow blocks or blocks partially filled with grout.
Fasteners that work: ¼-inch Tapcon screws, at least 2¾ inches long, driven with a hammer drill.
Pro tips:
Blow masonry dust out of the pilot hole; leftover dust can cut holding power by 30 percent.
Slip a thin neoprene washer behind the bracket to dampen vibration from that killer surround-sound system you’re planning.
3. Plaster-and-Lathe
If your home went up before about 1960—especially downtown—you probably have this.
What’s back there? ¾-inch plaster over thin wood strips (lathe), then real-dimension 2×4 studs (spacing isn’t always perfect).
Fasteners that work: 3⁄8-inch lag bolts with wide washers to spread the load, or heavy-duty toggle anchors where studs aren’t reachable.
Install pointers:
Drill slowly; plaster chips if you rush.
Tighten the bolt, then back it off a quarter-turn so the plaster isn’t crushed.
Why Screen Size Matters More Than You Think
TV SizeTypical Weight“Feels Like” Load with a Full-Motion Arm*65 in.55–70 lb~115 lb85 in.90–100 lb~180 lb
*A full-motion arm acts like a lever, multiplying the side-pull on the bolts. That’s why hitting solid structure—not just drywall—is non-negotiable.
The 3-Minute Wall Test
Magnet sweep – Drag a small magnet across the wall; it’ll snag on screws or nails in studs or lathe strips.
Pilot poke – Drill a ⅛-inch test hole near the baseboard:
Fine white powder = drywall
Sandy gray dust = concrete block
Wood shavings followed by white chips = plaster & lathe
Measure over – If the next stud (or magnet catch) is 16 inches away, you’re looking at standard framing. Great news for your mounting bracket.
Bottom Line
Any of these wall types can safely hold an 85-inch television if you use the right hardware and hit the right material. If you have doubts—or just don’t have a hammer drill handy—schedule our complimentary on-site scan. We’ll map out the wall, give you a written quote, and you can decide from there. Easy.
Happy watching,
Jhonny
Owner, RTA Productions LLC