Most North Carolina homes are wood-frame houses, often with brick veneer, built on slabs, crawl spaces or, in the mountains, basements. The state also has a large share of manufactured homes and fast-growing newer subdivisions, plus coastal homes built to hurricane wind-zone requirements.

median year homes were built: 1993; median year homes were built
built in 2000 or later: 38.2%; built in 2000 or later
built before 1960: 13.5%; built before 1960
single-family homes: 70.3%; single-family homes
in buildings with 5+ units: 14.7%; in buildings with 5+ units
mobile homes: 10.4%; mobile homes

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

Common wall types

Wood-frame walls with drywall

Where: Most houses in Charlotte, Raleigh, the Triad and newer suburbs across the Piedmont.

Mounting: Studs are typically 16 inches on center. Lag the mount into studs with 5/16" lag bolts; newer homes may use 24-inch spacing in some walls, so locate studs rather than assuming.

Brick veneer over wood frame

Where: Common exterior finish across the Piedmont and eastern NC.

Mounting: The brick is a decorative layer over a framed wall. Interior walls behind it are ordinary stud walls, so mount into studs inside; do not anchor loads to the brick veneer.

Manufactured and mobile homes

Where: Rural counties and mobile-home communities statewide.

Mounting: Walls are thin and studs may be spaced wider, so the mount must hit framing. Heavy or articulating mounts may need added blocking.

Plaster on lath

Where: Older homes built before 1960, for example in historic neighborhoods of Asheville, Wilmington, Durham and Raleigh.

Mounting: Plaster can crack if drilled carelessly. Locate framing, pre-drill slowly, and use toggle anchors off-stud.

Basement poured concrete or block walls

Where: Mountain homes in the Asheville and Boone areas and some Piedmont houses.

Mounting: Use a hammer drill with 1/4" concrete screws or 3/8" sleeve anchors, placing anchors in solid concrete or block face shells.

Coastal and outdoor living areas

Where: Outer Banks, Wilmington and other coastal communities, and screened porches statewide.

Mounting: Salt air and humidity corrode ordinary hardware. Use outdoor-rated TVs and stainless-steel hardware, and fasten into framing designed for the wind zone.

Tips before you mount

Lag the mount into at least two studs (usually 16" on center) with 5/16" lag bolts about 2.5" to 3" long; a full-motion arm multiplies leverage on the wall, so it must never hang on drywall anchors alone.
Brick veneer houses: mount to the interior wall studs, not the exterior brick. Use a stud finder and confirm with a small pilot hole; avoid drilling through exterior walls for cables without sealing and flashing the penetration.
Metal studs (found in some condos and townhomes): use snap toggles rated for the TV and mount weight, or add wood blocking behind the drywall.
Manufactured homes: studs may be spaced wider and covered with thin paneling. Locate framing carefully, and have blocking added for heavy TVs or full-motion arms.
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 run CL2- or CL3-rated low-voltage cable for in-wall HDMI and speaker lines.
Basement and block walls: use 1/4" concrete screws or 3/8" sleeve anchors with a hammer drill, into solid face shells and not mortar joints or hollow cores where possible. Check for moisture on basement walls first, since damp walls can corrode fasteners.
Porches and coastal homes: use an outdoor-rated TV and stainless-steel mounting hardware, and protect connections from humidity and salt air. Check the TV maker's heat and moisture limits before mounting above a fireplace.
Before work starts, tell the installer the wall type, the TV size and weight, the mount type and whether the building has rules for contractors. These change the anchors, labor time and price.

Sources: Census Reporter, ACS 2024 1-year: North Carolina (B25035, B25034, B25024) · NC Office of State Fire Marshal: North Carolina residential code amendments · WLOS: Protecting eastern North Carolina homes from hurricanes (wind-speed requirements). General guidance only — your installer will confirm the right method for your wall.