Corner Mount Bracket Installation Best Practice Advice Request

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Pulling my weight
Aug 20, 2025
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It was supposed to arrive today and is delayed until tomorrow. I don't know if it comes with any hardware to attach it and now I only have until tomorrow to hit the store if needed before the holiday. This made me finally think to ask for recommendations on the best way to anchor it (supporting 8 or 9 pounds) to typical household wood siding panels. Plain screws, screws and inserts, etc.?

EmpireTech PFA151 Corner Mount Bracket

PFA1513sm.jpg

 
What's the outer surface? (material, thickness, etc.)

What's BEHIND that material where the bracket's mounting holes are? (nothing, wood, thickness, etc.)

IOW, a 2" lag bolt is overkill if it's threaded into 1/2" plywood. :cool:

Is the backside/inside accessible for reinforcement if required?
 
Hi Tony, those are all the right questions for sure. I don't have all the answers. I was waiting to have the bracket in hand before settling on a final plan and was mostly wondering here about general practices or things to avoid. It's dark and raining now so I am lazy and will go outside tomorrow and measure the thickness of a panel.

It is not thick, maybe a bit over 1/2" or so. Behind it it is open except where the studs are and there is no access without creating a new project. I am thinking of sturdy inserts right now. As long as the anchors don't pull out, it should be fine. I want to have the mount so I can determine its positioning and see if it lands on a stud.

Here is a cropped image of the stuff:

Paneling.JPG

edit: Oh, drywall on the other side - 2 x 4 studs as a guess right now.
 
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For mounting a heavy PTZ used a piece of 3/4 inch painted outdoor plywood. A piece that is 22-24 inches long and 6 to 8 inches high are the general dimensions. Place over two studs and use 2 lag screws on each end to secure to the center of each stud. For the metal bracket use smaller bolts that are inset from the back with the nut and lock washer on the front. Use washers on all bolts. Note: The height can be about one inch higher than the vertical dimension of the bracket.

For a nicer look round over the outside edges with a router.

This scenario works for mounting a flat bracket and not one that is made for a corner.
 
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This works well for a flat non corner mount that takes advantage of using the existing studs (16 inches OC) for a secure mounting bracket. The 4 carriage bolts were used for the PTZ and left in place after PTZ removal as they can only be removed if the entire mount is removed.

PTZ-Wall-Mount.jpg
 
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Most of the time they use a 4 stud corner if using 2x4. If this is the case, you will be fine using any 2.5" deck screw or even better a lag screw (like what they always include with TV wall mounts) if you are really worried. I have hung a very heavy 45x PTZ using deck screws and washers on that type of bracket. You will know right away if you hit a stud or not.

Stud_fig1-768x480.png
 
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Even if the bracket goes beyond the stud usually there is 3/4 board on houses except the newer house that use the particle board. Use galvanized lag screws is what I would use. The weight will be on the top lags so if they tighten good then you will be fine if not maybe shove an anchor in then reinsert the lag screw. And make sure the threads are all the way or close to the head of the screw and not have a shaft 1/2" or more from the head otherwise it will grab less
 
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