View catalogue
Case Study: Secure & Reliable TV Mounting with Corefix Connect
MKL Cable Solutions is a professional TV and AV installation company based in Milton Keynes, providing expert wall-mounted solutions for homeowners and businesses. James McEvoy started his company back in 2010 and currently runs it as a family business together with his daughter Megan. With 15 years of experience in installing satellite and cable TVs, telecoms, aerials, and home cinema systems, he’s often encountered the challenge of securely fixing heavy items onto dot and dab walls.
The Challenge
Many modern British homes have dot & dab walls, where plasterboard is attached to blockwork with adhesive, leaving a gap in between. This can make fixing heavy items to dot and dab difficult, as traditional masonry wall plugs may cause the plasterboard to bow inwards when the fixing is tightened. Relying on the plasterboard alone doesn’t always provide enough support for heavy TVs or AV equipment – so finding a secure, reliable solution has been a priority for James to ensure customer satisfaction and safety.
Before using Corefix Connect, James tried a variety of solutions when mounting TVs on dot & dab walls: “I used anything I could get my hands on, from curly screw-in plasterboard fixings to Fischer fixings. Simple plasterboard fixings tend to pull out and are not really useable for heavy mounts. I also used Rigifix and still do sometimes on large and heavy full motion brackets, as they’re very heavy-duty fixings. However, they’re expensive and tend to stick out a bit too much for flat back mounts.”
TV brackets usually come with their own fixings, but these are often not fit for purpose, as James describes: “I don’t have as much faith in them in terms of longevity or security, especially for dot & dab walls. Most of them are fine for masonry but not long enough for dot & dab or even thermalite and tend to pull out. Corefix Connect dot & dab wall fixings hold their own compared to others and are more reliable.“
The Solution: Corefix Connect
MKL Cable Solutions started using Corefix Connect fixings in 2017. An innovative fixing designed specifically for dot & dab walls in modern UK homes, Corefix Connect features an engineered steel core which bridges the gap between the plasterboard and masonry. This ensures the load is supported by the solid blockwork rather than the plasterboard. Additionally, the steel core and internal shoulder ‘stop’ within the plug prevent the plasterboard from bowing when the fixing is tightened.
James has been using Metex’s Corefix Connect fixings for over 7 years now, and he hasn’t looked back.
“We’ve been using Corefix Connect from Metex for a while now on nearly all our dot and dab / drylined wall hung AV installations. The clever thing is they are really easy and fast to install and as they’ve been load tested to over 250kg, we’re really confident that once even the largest TV is up on the wall, it’s not going anywhere.”
Aside from being reliable, James also found Corefix Connect more economical and easier to get hold of compared to large specialist fixings like Rigifix: “Corefix comes in a bigger pack of 24 which is more cost-effective, and it’s easier to obtain as I can go to just about anywhere from Screwfix to B&Q to get a pack. They also take up less room in the van so I can keep more of them on hand in the toolbox.”
Simple Installation
Corefix Connect has a straightforward installation process:
- Drill a 10mm hole through the plasterboard into the masonry.
- Insert the Corefix plug until flush with the plasterboard.
- Tap the steel core into the plug to create a bridge between the plasterboard and masonry.
- Use the provided screws to attach the TV bracket firmly.
James once installed a 90 inch Samsung TV for a customer with dot & dab walls, using Corefix Connect: “The customer was over the moon to get the TV and had stood in line for a long time to buy it, but it took 3 of us to lift it!” However, with 8 Corefix Connect fixings evenly distributing the load of the large TV, the installation was secure.
Satisfied Customers
James’s customers remain impressed by Corefix Connect, especially when they’re concerned about heavy items staying up on the wall: “Sometimes you get customers who have tried fitting things like floating shelves themselves, using the wrong fixings, which have then fallen off. So, they’re really concerned about what kind of fixings are used to install their TV. But once they see the Corefix Connect fixings and how long they are, and I explain how they work, they relax and have confidence in my work.”
By using Corefix Connect, MKL Cable Solutions have reduced installation risks and costs, and increased customer confidence in the security of their mounted TVs. The fixings have become an essential part of their toolkit, allowing James & Megan to provide high-quality, secure AV installations with ease.
“Corefix Connect are my go-to fixings for dot & dab walls when installing TVs and speakers. I’ve been using them for years now and love to educate customers on why I use them and how I use them. I’ll keep using them as I’ve always been told ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’”
For professionals facing similar dot & dab wall challenges, Corefix Connect offers a proven, reliable solution that makes heavy-duty mounting on dot & dab simpler and safer.
Corefix Connect are available from Amazon and from our trusted retailers.
For more information, please give us a call on 0800 130 3646 or drop an email to sales@metexonline.com.
