The prevalence of flat screen TVs with modern, sleek designs has made the process of mounting televisions onto walls much more practical and easier. If you happen to have a modern gas fireplace in your home, the thought may have crossed your mind as to whether hanging your flat screen television above the fireplace is practical and/or safe.
Mounting On Drywall Over The Fireplace
If your home is relatively new, the wall above the fireplace is likely constructed of drywall over standard furring strips or wood studs. Furring strips are usually an inch wide while wood studs consist of 2x4s. You can mount a flat screen TV on either one. If you plan to feed cables through the wall, it is important that you have classic wood studs which provide more space to feed the wires or add wall grommets if necessary. Furring strips are usually too narrow to accommodate these cables. Before you choose a mount, locate the studs/strips to determine if you need to center or slide the mount.
Mounting on a Brick Wall Over the Fireplace
If the area above the fireplace is brick, your ability to mount a flat screen TV may depend on the condition of the brick. Depending on the quality and brittleness, this could be a completely safe option, or a potential hazard. If you do proceed with mounting a TV to brick, it is very important to drill into the brick itself and not the mortar between the bricks.
Select a TV Mount
The individual setup you have in your home will determine what TV mount is best. There are three main style options – fixed, full motion, and tilting. Since you cannot swivel or tilt a fixed mount, installing those above a fireplace may not be the best options, as your viewing angle may be affected.
Tilt mounts are ideal for mounting a TV above a fireplace. They have a low profile design, and their ability to tilt down enhances the viewing angle and eliminates glare. Accessing cables behind a tilt mount can be difficult, particularly if you have a large TV, and can limit the amount of adjustability you have.
You may want to consider a full motion mount in order to achieve both a tilt and swivel motion to maximize viewing capabilities within a room. Regardless of the type of mount you select, make sure you plan the cable management part of the mounting process in order to achieve a modern look and successful mount.
Hide the Wires
The type of wall construction will determine the ability to successfully hide the wires and cables. If you have a newer home, you may have an outlet above the fireplace for potential TV installation. If there is no outlet on the wall, the mantel may have a built-in outlet. This will allow you to run the cables back behind the drywall and into that outlet.
