Fireplaces are typically the focal point of living rooms. This is probably where your seats are facing right now. To make the installation of your TV above the fireplace your focal point, there are several factors to consider.
The functionality of the fireplace, be it a wood-burning, electric, or gas fireplace, has implications on how to mount a TV over the fireplace. The key consideration is to ensure the safety of the homeowner and to make sure the TV is out of the way of the heat.
Are you planning to place the TV above the fireplace in your home? Check out these seven great ideas and suggestions!
1. Prioritize Fireplace Safety
Before we discuss any ideas placing the TV above fireplace , it’s important to ensure the fireplace area meets the recommended safety standards. Homeowners should know about the chimney and fireplace venting system. Remember that TVs and heat don’t mix. It is, therefore, important to review the chimney and fireplace venting system. This is critical because high heat levels are radiated from the natural gas log unit if the appliance is not vent-free.
Fireplace safety standards can be adhered by looking out for discolouration at its opening. Discolouration of the opening is an indication that the home may be exposed to hazardous combustive by-products. This endangers homeowners and the TV if it’s above the fireplace opening.
2. TV Screen Size
The standard recommendation for TV viewing distance is 1.5 multiplied by the screen size. So, if your TV is 65”, ideally you should be seated approximately 97” away. This arithmetic is derived from (65 x 1.5).
Say, working backwards, for example, if you’re sitting 108” or 9” away from the fireplace, for comfortable viewing, you’ll need a TV in the range of 70”, which is derived from (108/1.5). However, this can be limited by how appropriate it looks given your windows, light fixtures location or even the firebox and mantle.
You’ll probably want a flat slim mount “zero-gap” bracket to get full coverage. It should tightly hold the TV onto the wall and cover the wires behind it. This way, when you walk into a room, the view is optically seamless.
The “zero-gap” bracket allows the TV to sit flush onto the wall since the bracket is sunken into the rear. Consider a tilt mount that angles the TV top slightly away from the wall if you will mount your TV up high. Also bear in mind that the rear of the TV will be slightly visible if the sides of it can be seen.
3. TV Mounting Height
The eye level is the recommended height for comfortable TV viewing. This consideration is thrown out of the window when considering mounting a TV over a fireplace. To avoid neck strain, you’d have to place the seats further away from the fireplace. Hence, your best bet will be to mount the TV as low as possible without compromising the aesthetics of your Abbott home decor or firebox.
4. TV Power Source
Unless you live in a residence that has been pre-wired for a TV hanging over the fireplace, you will need a professional installer or electrician to run HDMI and electric cables to the TV. The ease of this activity is determined by the wall material. The power source location is especially important if you plan to install a LED TV mount stand, so make sure you prepare carefully beforehand.
5. Ease of TV Cabling
Hiding installation cables in an over-the-fireplace brick or stone wall is difficult and sometimes impossible. Therefore, getting a TV model that supports a one-connect box that can be placed about 45” from the TV and has a virtually invisible cable that runs to the TV screen from the box is ideal. This virtual cable carries both power and video signals, thereby eliminating the need for running HDMI and power cables through walls. This significantly cuts down installation costs.
It’s critical to have someone familiar with the industry cabling standards to keenly review the flat screen mounting instructions to eliminate risk when hanging the TV. This ensures safety standards and recommended national building codes are respected. As a minimum, a 2” clearance should be maintained between the chimney appliance or fireplace and the TV. Also, the rules governing combustible electrical wires must be followed.
6. Motorized TV Mount
A motorized mount offers the flexibility of pulling the TV from its resting place in both an out and down fashion. This kind of mount will save you from neck strain if the TV screen is installed way above your eye level. This is because the TV can move 24” out of the wall and can be lowered to about 38” from its above-the-fireplace position. With the TV mounted 3” above, it gives a 12” deep mantel clearance. Although extra caution should be taken with this mount, it might just put the TV in harm’s way given the fireplace’s heat.
7. Niche Availability
TVs installed over gas fireplaces can be safely mounted in a recessed niche to protect them from heat. This position allows you to have the custom-designed stylish niche to match the interior. As long as distancing and recommended niche depth standards are followed, the rising radiant heat from the fireplace will barely reach the TV, keeping heat damage away from it.