FAQ 8
Last updated 02/29/08
Do I really want to hang my flat panel TV over my fireplace?
- The answer is, well sorry, but unlikely. It will
look good but there are very important things to consider before
installation to make it functional, attractive, and last as long as
expected.
- How hot will the TV get with a fire going? If
the area
gets above 90 degrees (F) while a fire is burning then damage to the
screen will occur. If your fireplace is a decorative then you
may
be fine, if you use your fireplace to heat your home you will ruin your
TV very quickly. Plasmas in particular need cool ambient air
surrounding it to cool itself during operation. Another way
to
look at this might be, if you have a black streak from soot running
from the top of the fireplace opening to the ceiling start
thinking about a roll down screen and a projector or a different
location.
- How high off the floor will the TV end up relative to
your
seated position? A TV mounted high up on the wall in a
bedroom
works well because you are laying down while watching it but if you are
seated you do not want to be looking up at too much of an angle.
It gets uncomfortable surprisingly quickly.
- What is the structure like behind and around the
fireplace?
This is critical as you need solid anchors for mounting and
room
to run the wires. Concrete anchors work well in brick for
mounting but running the AC power and signal wires behind the TV to
hide them could be a job for a professional.
- How you are going to manage the sound?
The same
issues apply to mounting and running wires to speakers and
audio
equipment as with the TV. If you plan to install surround
sound
with your new TV (you are aren't you?) then choices for speaker
location can be as difficult, or more so, than mounting the TV.
- In summary, one of the last places you want to mount a
flat
panel TV is over the fireplace. If it is the last place, or
the
only choice you have then specific criteria must be met to accomplish a
successful installation.
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