Mounting Your TV Above the Fireplace: 5 Key Things to Consider

Putting your flat screen TV above the fireplace may seem like a great way to free up space in your living room and still have an optimal viewing angle. However, there are several important factors to weigh before starting this mounting project. In this guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about placing your television above a fireplace.

Why Mounting a TV Above a Fireplace Seems So Appealing

At first glance, mounting your TV above the mantel can kill two birds with one stone. You get your television at eye-level without needing an unsightly TV stand or entertainment center taking up floor space. This helps open up the room and keep it feeling airy. Sitting on the couch, you’ll be viewing the TV from the prime center of the screen. It mimics sitting in the front row of a movie theater for that immersive viewing experience with your favorite shows. For these reasons, it’s easy to see the appeal of hanging your flat screen above the fireplace. But there are a few potential pitfalls you’ll want to consider before starting this project.

1. Heat From the Fireplace Could Damage Your TV

One of the biggest concerns when mounting a TV above a fireplace is dealing with the heat. Excessive heat over time can damage sensitive electronic components.

This is especially true if you have a masonry fireplace where the fire burns directly inside the space. Temperatures inside a fireplace can reach 600-1000°F when lit, and the outer surfaces of brick or stone can get quite warm. You'll want to make sure your TV is mounted sufficiently far away to avoid long-term heat damage.

Gas fireplaces put out less ambient heat, but the metal surface surrounding the flames can still get warm to the touch. Make sure to keep the TV at least 12 inches above the fireplace opening. You may also want to install a heat shield above the firebox to further protect and deflect rising warm air.

2. The Viewing Angle May Not Be Ideal for a TV

While a fireplace mantel seems like the perfect height for a television, it rarely offers an optimal viewing angle.

The ideal angle for watching TV is having the screen directly in front of you at eye-level while seated. This usually means having the center of the screen around 42 inches off the floor. But many fireplace mantels are higher than this, often 50 inches or more from the floor.

Mounting a TV too high forces you to look upwards to see the screen. This strains your neck over time leading to fatigue. Go with as low a mounting height as possible, and consider adding a full-motion tilt bracket. This lets you angle the TV downwards for more comfortable head-on viewing.

3. The Size of the TV Matters

When mounting a television above a fireplace, bigger is not always better. An oversized flat screen can look awkward and dominate the space.

As a rule of thumb, your TV should be no more than 50% the width of the fireplace opening or mantel. Otherwise it will be too overpowering. Measure the width of the fireplace below where you'll install the mount. Then choose a TV size proportional to that space.

Also consider the viewing distance. Sitting 10 feet away, for example, only calls for a 55 to 65 inch screen. Going too big from there can strain your eyes. And it may tempt you to sit too close for a comfortable viewing experience.

4. Built-In Mantels Pose Challenges

If you have an existing masonry fireplace and mantel, properly mounting a TV takes careful planning. In many cases, there simply won’t be enough depth for most flat panel TV mounts.

Most mounts extend 2-3 inches from the wall. But the depth of a mantel is often less than this. Before purchasing a mount, measure the distance between the wall face and inside edge of the mantel. Compare that to mount specs to ensure compatibility.

You may need to get creative by recessing the TV into the mantel using a recessed mounting box. Or do away with the mantel altogether if remodeling to better accommodate the TV installation.

5. Wiring and Outlets Can Be Tricky with a Fireplace

One final challenge of mounting a TV over a fireplace is running power and hiding wires.

With a masonry fireplace, you won’t be able to route cords inside the wall cavity. Instead, you'll need to run them down along the outside of the wall. This takes some creativity and cable covers to keep things looking clean.

Make sure there is also an available outlet to plug in nearby. If not, hire an electrician to add an outlet above the fireplace during the installation.

The bottom line is properly wiring a TV above an existing fireplace takes forethought. Be sure to plan this aspect before mounting.

Fireplace TVs Can Work with Proper Planning

While challenging in some respects, with careful planning you can successfully mount many flat-screen TVs above a fireplace. Follow the tips above, and don’t be afraid to get creative in how you mount and arrange your television. Some extra effort can help you integrate your TV into a fireplace space for an eye-catching focal point.

The most important things to keep in mind are:

• Protecting your TV from excess heat
• Choosing an optimal screen size
• Ensuring proper mounting depth
• Planning for power and cabling

By addressing these considerations, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning, integrated TV installation above your fireplace.

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Created on Nov 14th 2023 15:59. Viewed 81 times.

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