Vermont has some of the oldest housing in the country: about 31% of units predate 1960 and the median home dates to 1977. Expect plaster and lath in older farmhouses, stone or early concrete foundations, and wood framing with sometimes irregular stud spacing, plus log homes and manufactured homes in rural areas.

median year homes were built: 1977; median year homes were built
built in 2000 or later: 18.7%; built in 2000 or later
built before 1960: 30.9%; built before 1960
single-family homes: 71.6%; single-family homes
in buildings with 5+ units: 10.5%; in buildings with 5+ units
mobile homes: 6.4%; mobile homes

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

Common wall types

Plaster on lath

Where: Pre-1940s farmhouses and village homes in places such as Burlington, Montpelier, Brattleboro and Bennington; one source says about a quarter of Vermont housing was built in 1939 or earlier.

Mounting: Drill pilot holes slowly and locate studs or framing with a stud finder; plaster can crack or spall. Toggle bolts suit light loads; heavier TVs need to reach studs.

Wood-frame walls with drywall

Where: Most homes built after the 1950s, including newer construction around Chittenden County.

Mounting: Studs are typically 16 inches on center, but older framing may be spaced irregularly. Lag the mount into at least two studs.

Stone or early concrete foundation walls

Where: Basements of 19th-century houses, which commonly have rubble or cut stone foundations.

Mounting: Basement stone is irregular and damp; do not build a media wall against it without a framed, moisture-managed wall. Anchor into concrete only on poured sections.

Log and timber-frame walls

Where: Camps and log houses in rural Vermont.

Mounting: Logs shrink and settle, so TV mounts should not be rigidly fixed across log joints. Use a mount designed for log walls or build a separate framed panel.

Thin paneled walls

Where: Manufactured homes (about 6% of units).

Mounting: Locate framing; wall panels are thin and heavier 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 should never hang on drywall anchors alone. In older Vermont homes, check the stud spacing first; it is often not 16 inches.
Plaster and lath: find framing with a stud finder, pre-drill with a small bit, and use snap toggles or toggle bolts for light loads. Heavy TVs and arms should reach studs.
Old farmhouse walls may be out of plumb or contain uneven plaster. A mount with leveling adjustment and spacer blocks gives a flat result without over-tightening.
Cold climate: insulation and vapor retarders in exterior walls can be disturbed by cutting for in-wall wiring. Prefer interior walls for recessed boxes, or seal any exterior-wall penetration.
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 walls make in-wall runs harder, so a paintable surface raceway is often cleaner.
Fireplaces and wood stoves are common in Vermont. Check the TV maker's heat limits and measure the surface temperature after the fireplace has run. If the mantel or surround is hot, mount the TV elsewhere or use a deeper mantel and a pull-down mount. Keep the TV well away from wood stoves and their clearances.
Log homes: do not rely on drywall anchors. Mount to a framed panel, and let the installer plan wire routing since logs cannot be easily opened.
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: Vermont (B25035, B25034, B25024) · Vermont Housing Finance Agency: 2025 housing needs assessment, housing stock · UVM Landscape Change: Dating homes, residential architecture foundations · VTDigger: Vermont's aging homes put extra strain on the housing crisis. General guidance only — your installer will confirm the right method for your wall.