Mounting your TV on the wall always beats putting it on a stand. Not only will you save a TV’s worth of space, but also you can adjust the height. On top of that, with all the different types of TV mounting brackets out there, you can move your TV in any direction to suit your viewing needs.
Good news for you DIYers out there, and you can mount your TVs yourselves without an issue. Below, we’ll let you in on how exactly to go about mounting your TV on the wall. We’ll also let you know about what bracket might best suit your needs on top of a handful of other valuable details. Keep reading.
What you need to know before wall-mounting your TV
Mounting Location
First, you need to decide on where you want the TV. There are a handful of factors that you should know about before choosing a spot for your magic box.
Glare
The poor guy doesn’t stand a chance in a battle between a humble TV and the sun itself. Make sure the spot you choose won’t expose your TV to direct sunlight and ruin your experience.
Nearby Outlet
Choose a spot with an outlet within 4 feet. It’s always better to have the wires directly connected to the outlet than to use an extension cord.
Accessories
The chances are that sooner or later, you might realize that your setup could use a PlayStation. Or you may want to add some speakers, a player, or a router. For any of these accessories, you’re going to need space. So, although you’re wall-mounting it, it’s rarely a bad idea to put an entertainment center under the TV. If that’s not your style, a few neat shelves will do too. Make sure to leave enough room under the TV for shelves-to-come.
Fireplace
If you have a fancy fireplace, it’s hard to resist the temptation of a cinematic TV look. However, it might not be the safest option. Fireplaces, being a place for fire (maybe not the electric ones), produce large amounts of heat. If your TV is mounted above a burning fireplace, the heat will likely damage the electronics over time.
Height
After finding a good location, it’s time to decide if you want to look up to or look down at your TV. For many, the height of a TV mounting remains an argument. However, a good rule of thumb is to mount the TV so that the top or the bottom edge won’t move out of your eye level when seated or standing.
To get a better idea of where you would enjoy having your TV the most, cut a piece of cardboard roughly the size of your TV. Hold it against the wall where you want the TV mounted, temporarily tape it on, and take a few steps back. Do this until you’re satisfied.
TV Mounting Bracket
Before rolling up the sleeves and picking up the drill, the last step is to know what mounting bracket you need. There are many brackets out there, and you should choose the one that best fits your viewing needs.
Fixed mounting brackets (also named low-profile)
The most common type of brackets. A fixed frame must hold your TV against the wall and hold it tight for years to come. A fixed shelf is best for bedrooms, TVs, or small living rooms where you don’t need an extensive range of motion.
Tilting brackets
If the TV is going to be looking down on its owner, it at least better tilt. Tilting brackets are also suitable for avoiding sunlight or reflections on the screen. They’re not that many bucks away from fixed mounts, but they can come in pretty handy.
Full-motion mounting brackets
This one does it all. A full-motion mount is magic if you have a large living room and different viewing positions. With proper full-motion support holding your TV against the wall, you can not only tilt and swivel but also push the TV in and out to match your angle.
Ceiling mounts: As the name suggests, this one allows the TV to hang down from the ceiling. There are many types of ceiling brackets. They offer adjustable height, 360-degree rotation, and tilting motion depending on the model. Some ceiling mounts even come with a remote control to move the TV out of the way when not used. Ceiling TV mounts are primarily used in commercial spaces like restaurants, bars, offices, etc.
After buying your mounting bracket and choosing the location, it’s time to get to work.
How to install your flat-screen TV
Ensure you have these tools for a safe and satisfying TV wall mounting.
- Stud finder
- Screwdriver
- Drill and drill bits
- Mounting bracket
- Level tool
- Pencil
Find the studs are heavy and drywall is weak. If you’re planning on mounting your Television on the typical drywall, the mounting bracket must be screwed into the studs behind it. Drywall studs are typically made of wood and sometimes metal.
To find the studs:
- Hover your stud finder over the wall.
- When the stud finder detects a stud, find the center and mark it with your pencil.
- Do the same with the closest stud and keep that one as well.
The studs are usually spaced 16 or 24 inches away from each other.
If you’re mounting your TV on brick, tile, concrete, or other surfaces, there is no need for a stud finder. Just make sure you have the right drill bits to drill into the surface.
Mount the bracket
Hold the bracket up against the wall and align the screw holes to the pencil marks you made on the studs. Put your level tool on top of the stand and move it so that it’s leveled. While holding up the frame, mark the top and bottom screw holes on the studs. If someone is there to help you, use your drill and make pilot holes while the bracket is still up against the wall. Drill the screws into the pilot holes and attach the mount to the wall.
Attach the mounting plate
A part of the mounting bracket attaches to the back of the TV called “the mounting plate.” Please hook it to the TV following the manufacturer’s instructions. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws as it can damage the TV.
Mount the TV on the bracket
Since TVs rarely survive falls, we strongly suggest using an extra pair of hands. Lift the TV carefully; the TV is mounted securely before letting go.
Your TV is now mounted on the bracket following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check if needed successfully. Enjoy!
Hiding the wires
Having a handful of black wires running down against your light-color wall might not make for the best view. For a neat and clean look, it’s necessary to hide your TV and accessory wires.
On-wall cable management
Also called “on-wall wire concealment,” it is the more accessible and affordable way of hiding the TV cords.
Peel off the back of the on-wall cable management kit and stick it to the wall. Do so so that the top opening is aligned to where the wires come out of the TV and the bottom where the outlet (or the extension cord) is. Run the wires through the management kit and click them into place. Put the cover back on.
In-wall cable management
Also called “In-wall wire concealment,” runs the wires inside the wall from the back of your TV to out next to the outlet. This method of wire concealment needs sawing into your drywall and some electrical work. To be safe, it’s best to ask for a professional’s help if you’re going for this type of wire concealment.
In-wall wire concealment is not possible unless the mounting surface is drywall.
For many, the TV is the home’s sacred shrine. It’s only fair that you don’t let the position of your magic box be the limiting factor of your viewing pleasure. If you want the absolute best spot to hang your TV most safely and professionally possible, you’re in luck.
At FixTman, we’re always ready to help. Our professional technicians are fully equipped to provide you with a service when you need it the most. We ensure that the highest quality service is done for you, and we guarantee your satisfaction. Go ahead and book a service! A representative will be with you to guide you through the following simple steps.
