New Hampshire homes mix modern wood-frame houses with a large stock of older New England homes, many with plaster walls, fieldstone foundations and brick or stone chimneys. About 27% of units predate 1960, and manufactured homes make up a notable share.

median year homes were built: 1980; median year homes were built
built in 2000 or later: 21.7%; built in 2000 or later
built before 1960: 27.5%; built before 1960
single-family homes: 67.8%; single-family homes
in buildings with 5+ units: 16.1%; in buildings with 5+ units
mobile homes: 5.5%; mobile homes

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

Common wall types

Wood-frame stud walls

Where: Most single-family houses, suburban subdivisions in Nashua, Manchester and the Seacoast.

Mounting: Studs are usually 16 inches on center; lag mounts into studs. Newer energy-efficient walls may be thicker, so check stud depth.

Plaster on lath in older homes

Where: Colonial, Greek Revival and Victorian houses in Portsmouth, Concord, Keene and village centers.

Mounting: Plaster is brittle and lath hides studs. Locate framing, pre-drill slowly, and use toggle bolts only when a stud is not available.

Fieldstone or poured concrete foundation walls

Where: Basements, especially in 1700s to early 1900s houses with fieldstone foundations.

Mounting: Fieldstone is uneven and not suitable for TV mounts. Use studs or furred walls above grade, and concrete anchors only into poured or block walls.

Brick and stone chimneys and fireplaces

Where: Many older homes; chimneys often rise through the gable roofline.

Mounting: Heat and soot, and old mortar, make chimney breasts a poor mounting place. Keep heavy TVs off old masonry unless an installer confirms it is solid.

Manufactured homes

Where: 5.5% of units, common in rural towns.

Mounting: Thin panels and wide stud spacing mean the mount must reach framing; heavy mounts may need added blocking.

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 far more leverage on the wall than a flat mount, so it needs studs or masonry and should never hang on drywall anchors alone.
Plaster walls: find studs with a stud finder, pre-drill slowly, and use 3/8" toggle bolts or snap toggles if a stud cannot be reached. A full-motion arm should still reach studs.
Poured concrete or block basement walls: use 1/4" concrete screws or 3/8" sleeve anchors with a hammer drill, placing anchors in solid concrete or block face shells rather than mortar. Do not anchor into rubble fieldstone or crumbling mortar.
Old chimneys and fireplaces: avoid mounting heavy TVs on old brick or stone chimney breasts, since mortar can be crumbling. Check the TV maker's heat limit above any active firebox or wood stove.
Hiding wires: the National Electrical Code (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 choose low-voltage cable rated CL2 or CL3 for in-wall HDMI and speaker runs.
Old homes often have knob-and-tube wiring or limited outlets. Ask an electrician before adding any in-wall power for a media wall.
Porches and decks: winter freeze-thaw and snow load argue for outdoor-rated TVs, stainless hardware and removable covers. Keep mounts out of the direct drip line.
Before work starts, tell the installer the wall type (studs, plaster, masonry 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: New Hampshire (B25035, B25034, B25024) · New Hampshire Folklife: Historic Restoration traditions · Kingston NH: historic house construction (timber framing, fieldstone foundations). General guidance only — your installer will confirm the right method for your wall.