Having a TV above your fireplace has a unique aesthetic that most people go for when placing one in the living room.
However, you must have wondered if the heat from the fireplace could cause damage to your TV screen?
With this guide, you’d know all there is to find the perfect position for your flat-screen TV along with tips to make sure you can easily mount it, all of this before you even place the paper rectangle, and start drilling holes in it.
Quick Summary
In this article, we will discuss the following things:
- How high to mount the TV over the fireplace?
- Advice on how to keep mounted TVs safe and protected
Why Is It Important To Get The Placement Right?
A fireplace is a generally hot area in a room, the wall above it may seem like the perfect place to put the flat panel TV because of the empty blank space but there’s a lot to be taken into consideration.
The right location to mount a TV depends on how high the fireplace is and what the optimal viewing distance is to watch TV. This greatly impacts comfortable viewing and will protect it from heat.
The ideal placement to mount Television is different for those with an actual fireplace and those with synthetic heaters.
To set up a TV in this location, you should take the general rule of thumb into consideration. However, before you do that, here are some things you need to be aware of:
- The height of your fireplace and the space above it
- Heat emanated from the fireplace
- The dimensions of your TV
- The specifications of your fireplace mounting device
The Rule of Thumb
The general rule of thumb is that if your fireplace mantle is less than four feet tall, the product should ideally be 12 inches above it.
In the case it is more than four feet tall, your TV should ideally be 6 inches above it or the same height. Make sure to center it at the fireplace so it’s the focal point of the room.
Why is it important?
It is important because it will enhance the viewing experience of the owner and ensure better visibility. However, adjustments can also be made if the mounting device has an extension, retraction, tilt mount, and swivel features.
Real Fireplaces vs Faux Fireplaces
A Real Fireplace has a brighter fire and releases more heat and light. They also have the additional element of smoke. A faux fireplace is more aesthetic, does not emit any fumes, and has adjustable brightness and temperature.
Five Important Things To Keep In Mind
1. Check the Temperature
Before you begin the overall installation of your TV mount, check the temperature of the wall above the fireplace. Have the fireplace working for a few hours ideally to ensure a good result, touch the wall above the fireplace to check its temperature.
Pay attention to whether the chimney or air vent works properly, as you do not want the smoke to reach the TV above it.
This will help you understand if you can put the TV here, considering that it will be releasing heat of its own as well.
2. Determine How You Will Mount On The Wall Space
The type of mounts you have bought for your TV will highly influence how far you will have to set up your TV. Most TV mounts have the option to extend and retract the TV and adjust its angles.
What’s important is that your TV is kept out of harm and still has a good viewing experience.
Some mounts are made especially for fireplaces such as a ‘mantel pull-down’ mount, panning wall mount, or a tilt mount. You can consider buying one of these as well.
3. See Wire Compatibility
One of the main worries of anyone who wants to install a TV above a fireplace is that the heat might affect the wiring. It is important to see if the wiring can take the radiant heat off the wall. In some cases, it is easy to buy a wiring protector as well.
Although wires themselves are durable, they may yield some damage if constantly exposed to high temperatures.
4. Test The Viewing Angle of The TV Screen
The viewing angle is very important for your experience. The entire reason for finding the perfect distance to set up a TV is to make sure that it gives you the perfect viewing experience.
Even the general rule of thumb is made, when the eye-level and average viewing angle of the owner is kept in mind.
In case you have a good TV mount with additional features like tilt or swivel, you may easily adjust the viewing angle to fit your needs.
5. Think About TV Integration
Mounting your TV with a faux fireplace makes sense as it gives off the impression of warmth and heat whilst having the aesthetic look to match the TV above it.
This sort of design gives a very modern chic look to any room.
Integrated TV sets are built into the wall in niches which make the wiring and other components fit very cleanly. It adds to the aesthetic of a room whilst giving a clean finish.
Tips For Flat Screen TVs Over A Fireplace
Although we have addressed the main things to consider when preparing to mount a TV over a fireplace, consider the following to get it right the first time.
The best advice to look into are:
- Take note of light fixtures in a room and see if they will clash with the television and fireplace’s glow.
- Make sure your fireplace mantle and television screen are at least the same size when mounting a TV.
Mounting a TV on a Brick or a Wall
Mounting a TV on a wall constructed out of bricks demands a different set of tools and methods than mounting it on a wall constructed out of studs.
When deciding whether to mount a television on brick or wall studs, here are some considerations to keep in mind:
- It is necessary to have specialist equipment to mount a television on brick, such as a masonry drill bit, a hammer drill, and concrete anchors. Before beginning the installation, check to see that you have all the essential tools available.
- Utilize a hammer drill with a masonry bit to bore the holes into a brick wall. Concrete anchors should be inserted into the holes, and the nuts should be tightened until the anchors are secure.
- After that, attach the wall mount to the anchors in a manner dictated by the instructions provided by the manufacturer. After successfully fastening the wall mount to the brick wall, you can next mount the television onto the wall mount.
- To successfully mount a television on wall studs, you must first locate the studs in the wall where you intend to mount the television using a stud finder.
- Make a mark on the wall with a pencil to indicate where the studs will be for the location of the wall mount, and then attach the wall mount to the wall using screws and bolts, ensuring that it is securely fastened to the studs.
- After successfully fastening the wall mount to the wall, you can next mount the television onto the wall mount. Brick and wall studs can also serve as ideal surfaces for mounting a television, however, the methods for doing so will be distinct for each option.
- To ensure a safe and sound installation, it is essential to use the proper tools and adhere to the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
All the Necessary Screws (and More) for Mounting Your TV
When mounting a television, you will need a few different accessories to guarantee the installation is done safely and securely.
The wall mount you have opted to purchase will normally come with the necessary screws and bolts to properly secure the mount to the wall in your chosen location.
Be sure to use the screws designed specifically for the wall material you will be mounting the television (for example, drywall, brick, or concrete). You must have a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall to which you will attach the wall mount. Because of this, the installation will be more protected.
A bubble level is essential for correctly installing the wall mount to get a straight and level surface. This is vital not only for the security of the television but also for the overall aesthetic of the installation.
You may need a drill to cut holes in the wall to mount the screws and bolts on the wall. A screwdriver is required since you must tighten the screws and bolts attaching the wall mount to the wall.
Using a Wall Mount Adapter
If your television is incompatible with your VESA mount, a straightforward alternative would be to use a wall-mount adaptor. However, to guarantee that the installation is done safely and securely, it is essential to check that the adapter is compatible with both the TV and the mount.
When installing the adapter, you must thoroughly read the instructions provided by the manufacturer and adhere to all the safety rules.
You can avoid the hassle of installing your television on the wall by using a TV stand that does not call for VESA mounting and can be positioned in any part of the room.
How High To Mount TV Above Fireplace – The Main Takeaway
It is important to think things through when you want to mount a TV over a fireplace. Once you have read through this article, you are sure to get things right the first time.
Always look up reference ideas for aesthetic and guidance purposes.
Lastly, never skip the preparation phase before going through such things as it can lead to more mistakes being made.
If you would like to hire a professional, click here.
Adam F.
A/V and Home Theater Expert that focuses on providing clear as well as concise reviews for anything and everything Audio Visual. From TV's, TV Mounts, Soundbars, and Wiring, my focus is to provide expertise in everything Audio Visual focused.
