Modern upgrades do not always play nicely with decades-old construction. TV mounting in older Rockland County homes is a perfect example.
**Know Your Walls**
Many homes built before 1960 in Nyack, Piermont, and Spring Valley have plaster-and-lath walls instead of drywall. Plaster is harder and more brittle — standard drywall anchors can crack it, and lath strips give false readings on stud finders.
Mounting securely means toggle bolts designed for plaster, combined with stud mounting where possible.
**Living Room Considerations**
Many older homes were designed around a fireplace as the focal point. Mounting above it seems natural, but heat rises (risking overheating) and the viewing angle causes neck strain if the TV is too high.
A better option is often an adjacent wall or corner mount. If the fireplace wall is the only option, an articulating mount that angles downward helps with viewing angle.
**Bedroom Placement**
Older bedrooms are typically smaller. Wall-mounting frees floor space and eliminates a bulky dresser-top setup. Mount lower than a living room TV — the screen center should be at eye level when propped up in bed.
**Kitchen and Dining Areas**
Smaller TVs in kitchens are popular for morning news and recipes. In older kitchens, cabinet placement and tile backsplashes limit options. An under-cabinet mount or swing-arm mount on an adjacent wall keeps the screen visible without using counter space.
**Hiding the Wires**
Running cables through plaster walls takes more care than drywall. There may be unexpected obstacles like old pipes, wiring, or fire stops. At Odds & Ends, we have mounted hundreds of TVs throughout Rockland County and know what to expect in homes across Suffern, Stony Point, and Tappan.
**Get It Done Right**
A poorly mounted TV is a safety hazard, especially with children or pets. Request a free estimate — we bring the right hardware for your wall type and make sure everything is level, secure, and clean.