Media Wall Installers in Chicago

median year homes were built

1954

median year homes were built

built in 2000 or later

17.1%

built in 2000 or later

built before 1960

56.3%

built before 1960

single-family homes

28.9%

single-family homes

in buildings with 5+ units

44.7%

in buildings with 5+ units

mobile homes

0.2%

mobile homes

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

Common wall types

Chicago bungalows

Where: The Bungalow Belt, from Rogers Park through Portage Park, Austin and Chicago Lawn to the Southeast Side; typically 1.5-story brick homes from about 1910 to 1940.

Mounting: Brick outside, plaster inside on many; locate studs or masonry before drilling and use toggles in plaster.

Two-flats and three-flats

Where: Many neighborhoods; two and three flats plus larger flats make up over 30 percent of the stock.

Mounting: Each flat has a separate owner or tenant; confirm who may alter shared walls.

Greystones

Where: Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Humboldt Park, Hyde Park, Kenwood and South Shore.

Mounting: Limestone-faced brick with plaster interiors; masonry anchors in solid brick, toggles in plaster.

High-rise condo walls

Where: Lakefront towers and the Loop.

Mounting: Concrete and metal studs; follow building rules and use concrete anchors.

Tips before you mount

• Lag the mount into at least two studs, usually 16" on center, with 5/16" lag bolts; an articulating arm leverages far more weight on the wall than a fixed mount.
• Plaster over brick or lath: a stud finder may not read through plaster; use a small pilot hole and toggle bolts where there is no framing.
• Solid brick: use 1/4" concrete screws or 3/8" sleeve anchors and avoid mortar joints that crumble in old walls.
• Chicago winters freeze and thaw; keep any TV on an exterior wall away from cold drafts and condensation.
• Hiding wires: NEC 400.12 does not permit a standard TV power cord inside a wall cavity, so in-wall power needs a code-rated recessed outlet kit, while HDMI and speaker runs use CL2 or CL3 rated cable.
• Condos and two-flats: ask the association or the other owners about drilling approval, and bring a COI if requested.