Delaware is mostly a state of single-family houses (about three in four units), with newer wood-frame subdivisions in New Castle and Sussex counties and older brick houses and row houses in Wilmington and other historic towns. Beach communities along the coast add elevated, wood-framed vacation homes and condos with salt-air exposure.

median year homes were built: 1988; median year homes were built
built in 2000 or later: 33.1%; built in 2000 or later
built before 1960: 20.2%; built before 1960
single-family homes: 74.8%; single-family homes
in buildings with 5+ units: 14.2%; in buildings with 5+ units
mobile homes: 7.3%; mobile homes

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

Common wall types

Wood-frame stud walls with drywall

Where: Most suburban houses and townhomes built since the 1980s, including the large developments in New Castle County and around Dover and Sussex County.

Mounting: Studs are typically 16 inches on center. Lag the mount into studs; full-motion arms should always land in at least two studs.

Brick or brick-veneer exteriors

Where: Colonial-style and older homes in Wilmington and historic towns such as New Castle and Lewes; brick is also used as a veneer over wood framing on newer houses.

Mounting: A veneer wall is wood framing with brick outside, so interior mounting is the same as any stud wall. Solid or double-brick walls in older buildings need masonry anchors into the brick, not the mortar.

Plaster on lath or masonry

Where: Pre-1960 houses and row houses, for example in Wilmington neighborhoods and older town centers; about a fifth of Delaware homes were built before 1960.

Mounting: Plaster can crack or crumble if drilled carelessly. Locate framing first, pre-drill slowly and use toggle anchors where there is no stud.

Concrete and metal-stud construction

Where: Mid-rise apartments and condos in Wilmington and along the Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach coast.

Mounting: Poured concrete needs a hammer drill and concrete anchors; metal studs need toggle-style anchors. Surface raceways are often the practical wire solution.

Elevated light-frame coastal homes

Where: Beach houses and second homes in the Rehoboth, Dewey and Bethany Beach areas.

Mounting: Typically wood stud walls, but exterior and screened-porch walls face salt air and humidity, so use corrosion-resistant hardware and outdoor-rated equipment.

Tips before you mount

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 should never hang on drywall anchors alone.
Brick, block or concrete: anchor into solid material with 1/4" concrete screws or 3/8" sleeve or wedge anchors using a hammer drill and masonry bit. Drill into solid brick or the face shell of block rather than mortar joints where possible, and do not rely on plaster or furring alone.
Plaster and lath (common in older Wilmington houses): find studs with a stud finder, pre-drill a pilot hole slowly, and use snap toggles if a mounting point falls between studs. Expect plaster dust and possible cracking around holes.
Metal studs (common in apartments and condos): use snap toggles or similar toggle-style anchors rated for the TV and mount weight, or have the installer add wood blocking behind the drywall.
Hiding wires: the National Electrical Code (NEC 400.12) does not allow a regular TV power cord to run inside the wall. Use an in-wall rated recessed power kit, and choose low-voltage cables rated CL2 or CL3 for in-wall HDMI and speaker runs. Plaster and brick walls often make in-wall runs impractical, so a paintable surface raceway is a common alternative.
Over a fireplace: check the TV maker's heat limits and keep the screen out of rising heat; a mantel does not make the wall behind it cooler. Stone or brick surrounds need masonry anchors, not drywall anchors.
Beach houses and screened porches: use an outdoor-rated TV and stainless-steel or coated mount hardware, and seal cable entry points against humidity and salt air.
Condos, co-ops and rentals: ask the association or landlord whether drilling into walls or concrete needs approval, and get the installer's certificate of insurance (COI) naming the association before work day. Before work starts, tell the installer the wall type (studs, plaster, brick, block 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: Delaware (B25035, B25034, B25024) · Starr House, Wilmington (brick colonial example) · AHS: Colonials in Wilmington (brick or wood facades). General guidance only — your installer will confirm the right method for your wall.