Many Arizona homes, especially those built from the 1950s on in Phoenix, Tucson and across the desert Southwest, use concrete block walls finished with stucco outside, while newer tract homes often use wood or metal framing with stucco over lath. Arizona has a young housing stock, a large number of condos and retirement communities, and extreme heat that affects outdoor TV and mounting choices.

median year homes were built: 1994; median year homes were built
built in 2000 or later: 39.7%; built in 2000 or later
built before 1960: 7.6%; built before 1960
single-family homes: 69.7%; single-family homes
in buildings with 5+ units: 16.7%; in buildings with 5+ units
mobile homes: 9%; mobile homes

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (tables B25035, B25034, B25024)

Common wall types

Concrete block (CMU) exterior walls

Where: Many Phoenix, Tucson and Mesa houses, especially homes from the 1950s to 1970s, often called slump block or block homes.

Mounting: Walls may have only paint, or drywall on furring strips or framing over the block. Anchor into the block itself with 1/4" concrete screws or 3/8" sleeve or wedge anchors, using solid face shells.

Stucco over wood or metal framing

Where: Newer tract homes in Gilbert, Chandler, Surprise, Queen Creek and Scottsdale.

Mounting: Interior walls are drywall on studs at 16 inches on center. Mount into studs; do not rely on the stucco shell.

Adobe and rammed earth

Where: Older homes and some custom homes in Tucson, Santa Fe-style areas and rural Arizona.

Mounting: Thick, uneven walls. Use masonry-style anchors and surface wiring, and test in an inconspicuous spot.

Manufactured homes

Where: Retirement and park communities; about 9 percent of Arizona housing units.

Mounting: Thinner walls and sometimes wider framing. Hit framing or add blocking, and avoid heavy arms on paneling.

Poured concrete and metal-stud condos

Where: Mid-rise and high-rise condos in downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe.

Mounting: Concrete needs a hammer drill; metal studs need snap toggles or blocking. Association approval and a certificate of insurance are often required.

Tips before you mount

Concrete block walls: anchor into the block with 1/4" concrete screws or 3/8" sleeve or wedge anchors and a hammer drill with masonry bit, placing anchors in solid face shells rather than mortar joints or hollow cores where possible. If drywall is on furring strips, go through it into the block.
Stud walls: studs are usually 16" on center. Lag the mount into at least two studs with 5/16" lag bolts, typically about 2.5" to 3" long. A full-motion arm puts much more leverage on the wall than a flat mount, so it needs studs or masonry and should never hang on drywall anchors alone.
Stucco exteriors and covered patios: do not mount through stucco without sealing; use stainless-steel or corrosion-resistant fasteners, caulk penetrations, and prefer mounting to a wood or masonry backer.
Hiding wires: NEC 400.12 does not allow a regular TV power cord to be concealed inside a wall. Use an in-wall rated recessed power kit, and use CL2 or CL3 rated low-voltage cable for in-wall HDMI and speaker runs. Block walls limit in-wall runs, so plan a paintable surface raceway.
Heat and sun: patios, ramadas and garages can get extremely hot. Use an outdoor-rated TV with a rated operating temperature range, shade it from direct sun, and do not leave an indoor TV on a patio. Dust is also hard on vents and connections.
Over a fireplace: check the TV maker heat limits. Many Arizona homes have gas fireplaces and masonry surrounds; use anchors into solid masonry or framing and a tilting mount if the area runs warm.
Condos and HOAs: ask the association whether drilling into concrete or exterior walls needs approval, and get the installer certificate of insurance (COI) naming the association before work day.
Before work starts, tell the installer the wall type (studs, masonry, plaster or concrete), the TV size and weight, and the mount type. These change the anchors, labor time and price.

Sources: Census Reporter, ACS 2024 1-year: Arizona (B25035, B25034, B25024) · KJZZ: Why most metro Phoenix homes have block walls (history of block and wood construction in Phoenix) · PNNL Building America: Arizona siding retrofit case study. General guidance only — your installer will confirm the right method for your wall.