How to mount a TV above a fireplace

The arrangement of your TV and fireplace in your home can change the entire look and feel of your living room.

A TV directly on top of your fireplace is aesthetically the most appealing place to put it as it creates a neat, streamlined, symmetrical look in your home.

There are, however, some important considerations that must be made when it comes to safely mounting your TV over a fireplace. That’s why it’s so important to hire a licensed electrician in North Sydney to install it for you to avoid any potential risks or dangers.

This week, we’re answering some of your most common questions around TV wall mounting.

Is it okay to mount a TV above a fireplace?

There are always dangers when trying to achieve a look involving the placement of any electrical device.

The two main dangers to try and avoid when having the TV above are a fireplace are:

• The heat from the fireplace affecting the TV
• The TV falling and causing significant damage if not mounted correctly

A lot of people don’t use their fireplace at all, so the former won’t be relevant if this is the case.

Alternatively, you could just never have the TV and fireplace on at the same time and not have to worry about the exact placement.

Where should a TV be placed with a fireplace?

For the most appealing look, the TV and fireplace should be as symmetrical as possible, therefore it’s ideal to get a television with similar width as your fireplace.

If your TV is wider than the fireplace, make sure that it sits exactly centred so that there is an equal amount of room on either side of the fire. And vice versa if the fireplace is wider than the TV.

The height you have between the fireplace and the TV depends on:

• Where you will sit when watching the TV
• How hot the TV gets from the fire
• If any windows create a glare on the TV
• Where the mantle is
• How far the couch is from the TV

If the TV ends up being a bit too high for your liking (that is, you’re finding yourself craning your neck to watch) you can get a tilted mount or bracket so that it can tilt down to give you a better view.

You can also get a swivelled mount so that you can change the direction of the tilt depending on who is watching and from where.

The ideal height for a TV for someone who is 5’6’’, while seated, is 42 inches from the floor to the middle of the TV. The fireplace may force the TV higher, which is why a tilted mount is desirable.

How do I protect my TV from fireplace heat?

Between the TV and fireplace there should be a mantle to disperse the heat. This mantle can also be used to put the TV on if you don’t want to mount it. This can be a lot safer to do yourself as there’s no drilling required for the bracket.

However, this ruins the floating effect of having a TV above a fireplace.

You need a mantle whether you are going to mount the TV or not, as this disperses the heat so the TV won’t fog up and the heat won’t get too concentrated on the TV. This can damage the unit, wear it out, or could even lead to a fire.

To know if the TV is high enough, you can test it before mounting it.

With the TV still on its stand, place it on the mantle and have the TV on with the fire going. After three hours, put a plastic, placid thermometer on the TV. If it’s above 40ºC, then you either need to raise the TV higher, bring out the mantle.

Or, if it’s an electric fire, put it on a lower heat. (This is a great advantage of having an electric fireplace!)

The heat output for a fireplace also needs to be under 5000 British Thermal Units (BTU) for the TV to be safe.

Where do the wires go for a mounted TV?

Ideally, cords and wires will be hidden from view to give a completely seamless, floating effect.

This look is easiest to achieve if there is a power outlet directly on the wall behind the TV. If you don’t already have one, you can hire a licensed electrician in the Lower North Shore to install an outlet, then simply plug the TV into it.

You could, of course, leave wires exposed, but hook them neatly or conceal them with a cord cover. This won’t get you the full picture perfect TV look however, and may also pose a safety risk for pets and young children.

The other option is to drill extra holes into the wall for the cords to go into and then bring them out near a power outlet. If you need assistance, our electrician in the Upper North Shore can help you.

How electricians drill holes for cables

Before drilling any holes into the wall, electricians use a stud finder to find where the studs/timber are.

If behind the wall you’re mounting the TV to is a kitchen, laundry or bathroom, then you might accidentally drill into a pipe – without proper investigation and planning, you might be about to experience more troubles than you anticipated!

When mounting the TV, hitting the studs is desirable as it creates more stability than just attaching it to drywall, which could weaken and result in a TV that’s fallen flat on its face.

However, when drilling holes for cords you need to avoid the studs so that wires can dangle down or sideways towards the outlet.

As you can imagine, it’s not quite the simple job you might have anticipated – that’s why it’s so important to engage the work of a professional electrician!

Contact Plateau Electrical for TV wall mounting solutions

Electricians not only have the right experience and knowledge, but the right equipment, too, so you don’t want to start a job and realise you’re missing things halfway, leaving cables and holes exposed.

Call Plateau Electrical’s level 2 electrician in the Northern Beaches for advice and quotes on all types of electrical work in your home, including TV wall mounting in the Northern Beaches.

Got an emergency? We’re manning the phones 24 hours a day, so if you need an emergency electrician in Neutral Bay or surrounds, you can rely on us 365 days a year. Call (02) 9982 8668 anytime.

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