Mounting a TV on solid concrete or concrete-block walls requires three things: an SDS hammer drill (regular cordless will burn out), carbide-tipped Tapcon-style masonry screws (3/16 inch x 2-3/4 inch minimum for TVs under 75 inches; 1/4 inch x 3-1/4 inch for larger), and pilot holes drilled to the screw’s full embedment depth. After 7,874 documented TV installs across Metro Atlanta - including high-rise condos in Buckhead and Midtown with poured-concrete shear walls - concrete is structurally the safest wall type for TV mounting once the right hardware is used.
Quick note: This page contains Amazon affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you buy through them. Recommendations come from products I’ve personally hung on real customer walls over 10 years and 7,874 installs - not spec-sheet guessing.
For the broader install workflow on any surface, see our complete how-to-mount-a-TV guide. If your wall is actually a thin masonry facing rather than structural concrete, read drilling into brick vs stone veneer first before you pick up a hammer drill.
Want to mount a flat-screen TV on a concrete, brick, or block wall? You absolutely can - and when done right, it’s one of the most secure and long-lasting installations possible.
At Express Mounting, we do this type of install regularly across Atlanta, especially in homes with fireplaces, basements, lofts, high-rise condos, or older construction with solid walls. While concrete can seem intimidating, it’s very doable with the right tools - and safer than drywall in many cases.
Here’s your full guide to mounting a TV on concrete or brick, including what tools you’ll need, how to drill without cracking your wall, and how to hide the wires for a clean, professional finish.
Can you mount a TV on concrete or brick?
✅ Yes - and in many ways, it’s more secure than mounting on drywall.
Unlike drywall, which depends on studs or heavy-duty anchors, a solid concrete or brick wall can safely support larger TVs, heavier brackets, and long-term wear - as long as you use the right equipment.
However, it does require:
- 🧱 Specialized tools and hardware (hammer drill, masonry bits, sleeve anchors)
- 💡 Smart planning (you can’t easily patch mistakes in concrete!)
- 🎯 Precision (hole placement matters more than ever)
Why people mount TVs on concrete
TV mounting on masonry walls is especially popular in:
- Homes with brick or stone fireplaces
- Modern condos or industrial-style lofts with exposed concrete
- Older homes with block construction or brick interior walls
- Basements where drywall may not be present
- Patio or garage walls with cement or cinderblock
In each of these scenarios, concrete adds strength - but it also adds complexity.
Tools and hardware you’ll need
🧰 Tools:
- Hammer drill - You need percussive power to cut through concrete. A standard drill won’t work. The Bosch GBH 2-28L SDS hammer drill is the workhorse I’ve used on hundreds of poured-concrete jobs - it sails through cured concrete without bogging down.
- Masonry bits - Use the right diameter and length for your anchor size. A carbide-tipped SDS masonry bit set covers every common Tapcon and sleeve anchor size.
- Level - Crucial for accuracy, especially with larger TVs.
- Tape measure - For positioning the bracket and centering the TV.
- Pencil or marker - To mark drill points (use painter’s tape if the wall is rough).
- Vacuum or dust brush - To clean out the holes for proper anchor grip.
- Socket wrench or impact driver - For driving the bolts.
🔩 Hardware:
- Sleeve anchors or concrete screws (Tapcon and similar carbide-tipped masonry screws) - These are specially designed to grip masonry. For most TVs under 75 inches, 3/16 x 2-3/4 inch Tapcon masonry screws are the size I reach for first. See the ICC-ES anchor evaluation reports for verified load ratings.
- Lag bolts (used in combination with anchors)
- Wall bracket - Rated for your TV’s weight and VESA size
- Optional: Toggle bolts or epoxy anchors for hollow block or crumbling walls. For oversized TVs (85 inch+) or full-motion mounts on poured concrete, step up to a heavy-duty concrete wedge anchor kit for serious pull-out resistance.
Step-by-step: how to mount a TV on concrete
Mounting a TV on concrete or brick requires a bit more planning and elbow grease than drywall - but with the right tools and careful attention to detail, it can be a rock-solid and long-lasting install. Below is a detailed breakdown of each step to ensure a secure and professional-looking result.
1. Mark your mount location
Hold your wall bracket up to the desired position and use a pencil or marker to trace where the mounting holes will go. Use a level to ensure the bracket is perfectly straight - even a small tilt can result in a crooked TV, which is much harder to fix once the holes are drilled.
Make sure the mount is at the correct height for comfortable viewing. Unlike drywall, drilling into concrete or brick is not forgiving - re-drilling new holes means patching concrete, which is time-consuming and messy.
Pro tip: Use painter’s tape behind the bracket as a temporary guide for marking on rough or porous walls like brick or stone.
2. Drill pilot holes
Use a hammer drill, not a regular drill - this is key. A hammer drill adds percussive force to drive the bit through hard surfaces like concrete, brick, or cinderblock. Attach a masonry drill bit (size should match your anchors) and drill pilot holes at your marked points.
Drill slowly at first to prevent the bit from slipping. Once the hole is started, you can increase pressure - but let the drill do the work.
- Keep your drill at a 90-degree angle to the wall
- Drill slightly deeper than the anchor’s length to allow full expansion
- If your wall is cinderblock or hollow brick, proceed gently to avoid cracking
Pro tip: Pause every few seconds to vacuum or blow out the dust. Dust-packed holes will weaken the anchor grip and may lead to mount failure.
3. Install anchors
Now that your pilot holes are clean and dust-free, it’s time to insert your anchors. Use concrete sleeve anchors or wedge anchors - these are designed to expand inside the hole as the bolt tightens, gripping the wall from the inside.
Gently tap each anchor into the hole using a rubber mallet or hammer until flush with the wall surface. Make sure they’re snug but not deformed.
If you’re working with cinderblock or hollow brick, consider toggle bolts or chemical anchors for added strength.
4. Attach the bracket
Place your mounting bracket over the installed anchors and align it with your drill holes. Secure it using lag bolts or the bolts that came with your concrete anchor kit.
Use a socket wrench or impact driver to tighten the bolts. Check for:
- Even pressure on all sides
- Proper alignment with your level
- No wobble or flex in the bracket
This is a critical step - if the bracket isn’t firm against the wall, the entire setup could shift over time or even fall.
Bonus tip: If the bracket includes a built-in level, verify it with your own bubble or laser level before tightening everything down.
5. Hang and secure your TV
Attach the mounting arms to the back of your TV using the correct screws and spacers included with your mount. Most modern TVs follow VESA standards, which means your mount should align perfectly with the holes.
Lift the TV (you may need help for larger screens) and hook it onto the bracket. You should hear or feel a click if the bracket has locking tabs.
Double-check:
- That all locking screws are tightened
- That the TV is level
- That the mount feels secure when gently rocked
If your mount has a tilt or swivel feature, test the motion now and adjust the tension screws as needed.
Common mistakes to avoid
Even experienced DIYers run into trouble with masonry. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:
- ❌ Using regular wood screws or drywall anchors
- ❌ Not drilling deep enough for the anchors
- ❌ Over-tightening bolts (can crack brick or anchor sleeve)
- ❌ Mounting too close to mortar lines instead of solid brick/concrete
- ❌ Forgetting to clean dust from the holes (reduces anchor grip)
- ❌ Improper height or crooked installation
Mounting into concrete or brick is less forgiving than drywall - accuracy and planning matter more than ever.
When to call a professional
Mounting a TV on concrete isn’t a casual DIY job - especially if:
- Your wall is stone, block, or crumbling brick
- You don’t own a hammer drill or masonry tools
- You want to hide wires behind or around the wall (a concrete wall has no cavity, so the cleanest method is a surface raceway install or an in-wall power kit routed below baseboard)
- You’re mounting a heavy or oversized TV (65”+) - especially 85-inch and larger TVs that need heavy-duty mounting
- You want no mess, no guesswork, and no regrets
Why Atlanta homeowners trust Express Mounting
We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners across the Atlanta metro area securely mount TVs on concrete, brick, cinderblock, and stone surfaces - with professional tools, clean installations, and no shortcuts.
✅ Experienced install team with 7,874+ Atlanta jobs
✅ Masonry-rated mounts and tools
✅ Fireplace and basement TV mounting
✅ Surface cable concealment and power relocation
✅ Guaranteed clean finish - no drywall dust, no crooked TVs
Real Atlanta install: Westside loft poured-concrete shear wall
Last month we hung a 75-inch Sony Bravia in a Westside Provisions District loft with 12-inch poured-concrete shear walls. The owner had already burned out a cordless drill trying to drill pilot holes with a regular bit. We brought a Bosch GBH 2-28L SDS hammer drill, a 5/16-inch carbide masonry bit, and four 1/4 x 3-1/4 inch Tapcon HD anchors. Total drill time: 11 minutes per hole including dust evacuation. The Sanus VLF728 full-motion mount tested at over 600 lbs of pull-out resistance once tightened. That same install on drywall would have required two studs and a stud-to-stud reinforcement plate; on concrete it was four anchors and done.
Express Mounting service pricing for concrete and masonry installs
Concrete and brick installs at Express Mounting use our standard size-tier base rate plus a flat masonry surcharge for the additional drilling time and carbide bit wear. Base mounting is $149 for TVs up to 55 inches, $199 for 56-65 inches, $259 for 66-75 inches, and $319 for 76-85 inches. Concrete, brick, stone, and cinderblock walls add a $119 masonry surcharge (typical concrete install: $149 + $119 = $268). Cable concealment via surface raceway is $119, full-motion mount upgrades are $89, and travel beyond our core Atlanta zone is $59.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use regular drywall anchors on concrete?
No. Drywall anchors (plastic expansion plugs, toggle bolts, self-drilling zinc) rely on either a hollow cavity behind the wall or the soft gypsum board itself for grip. On solid concrete they will spin in the hole or shear off under TV load. You must use masonry-rated hardware: Tapcon-style concrete screws, sleeve anchors, or wedge anchors.
Do I need a hammer drill for concrete walls?
Yes. A standard cordless drill cannot cut through cured concrete - the bit will glaze over and the motor will overheat. A hammer drill (SDS or SDS-Plus is best) adds rapid percussive blows that pulverize the concrete ahead of the bit. For brick and softer block you can sometimes get by with a corded hammer drill on hammer-only mode, but SDS is faster and far easier on the tool.
What size masonry bit for a Tapcon?
Match the bit to the screw diameter, not the hole label: a 3/16 inch Tapcon uses a 5/32 inch carbide masonry bit; a 1/4 inch Tapcon uses a 3/16 inch bit. Using the wrong bit is the most common cause of stripped or loose anchors. Tapcon usually ships its bits in the same box.
How deep should I drill into concrete for a TV mount?
Drill at least 1/4 inch deeper than the screw’s embedment length so concrete dust has somewhere to go. For a 2-3/4 inch Tapcon, drill 3 inches. For a 3-1/4 inch Tapcon, drill 3-1/2 inches. Vacuum the hole before driving the anchor - packed dust is the number-one reason masonry anchors fail.
Is mounting a TV on concrete safer than drywall?
Once the right anchors are installed, yes. Concrete has roughly 10x the pull-out strength of a drywall stud connection per fastener, and there is no risk of the anchor wandering off-stud. The trade-off is that concrete is less forgiving of mistakes - you cannot patch a misplaced hole with spackle.
Can I mount a TV on a concrete basement wall?
Yes, and basement poured-concrete walls are some of the strongest mounting surfaces in any home. The two things to watch for are moisture and parging (a thin cement coating sometimes troweled over the foundation). Drill into the structural concrete behind the parge layer using a 2-3/4 inch or longer Tapcon to ensure the anchor seats in solid concrete, not the soft surface coat. If your basement wall shows efflorescence (white powder) or active dampness, treat the mounting holes with a quick shot of masonry sealer before installing the anchors so moisture cannot wick along the screw threads.
Do I need a hammer drill for concrete or can I use a regular drill?
You need a hammer drill. A standard cordless or corded drill spinning a masonry bit will glaze the bit, overheat the motor, and take 30 minutes per hole if it makes any progress at all. Renting an SDS-Plus hammer drill from Home Depot for one day costs about $35 and will cut a 5/32 inch pilot hole in poured concrete in 60-90 seconds. If you only have a regular drill, stop and either rent the right tool or call a professional - this is the single most common reason DIY concrete mounts fail.
Will the concrete crack when I drill?
Properly drilled holes do not crack solid concrete. Cracks happen when the bit is dull, when the operator over-tightens the anchor, when the hole is too close to an edge (stay at least 4 inches from any corner or edge), or when the wall is hollow cinderblock with thin face shells. Use a sharp carbide bit, drill at 90 degrees to the wall, and torque the anchor only until the bracket is firm against the wall. If the wall is brick rather than concrete, drill into the brick face itself, not the mortar joints - mortar is much weaker and prone to crumbling.
About the author
This guide was written by Alex Crabinsky, founder of Express Mounting. Read more from Alex on the author page.
Ready to mount your TV on concrete?
We bring the tools. We bring the anchors. We bring the expertise. You just enjoy the view.
👉 Visit ExpressMounting.com to request a quote or schedule your installation anywhere in Atlanta, GA or surrounding cities.
📍 Express Mounting - Your go-to for clean, safe, professional TV installations on any surface.