How to Mount a TV onto your Chimney Breast
If you are looking for a home for your TVs, one of the most popular solutions is to hang it above your fireplace, mounting it to the chimney breast and taking the place of a large decorative mirror or piece of art. Your fireplace is one of the main focal points within your living room, so mounting a TV above it is a convenient and visually appealing decision, and creates a striking design statement in your room.
However, there are a few questions you should ask yourself, and some careful considerations you should make, before going ahead and mounting your TV to your chimney breast. For example, will the TV placement look good, complement your room and afford comfortable viewing? And, more importantly, is it safe?
So, if you are thinking of mounting a TV on a chimney breast, read our top tips and expert advice below for more information…
Is mounting a TV on a Chimney Breast practical?
One of the most important things to think about before mounting your TV on your chimney breast is the height of your fireplace and mantelpiece, as some mantels will simply be too high to watch your TV comfortably. A TV mounted too high on the wall won’t provide comfortable viewing and will have a similar effect to sitting in the front row at the cinema creating awkward viewing positions, resulting in painful neck strain, will be a common complaint within your household.
A great tip is to make sure you test the position first and this can done by hanging a piece of paper or cardboard where you imagine the TV would go. You can then sit down and assess if this is a practical and comfortable position before you start drilling holes in your chimney breast!
It’s also important to have a professional assess the integrity of your chimney breast and verify that it’s structurally sound before attempting any TV mounting, as any potential fireplace repair needs should be addressed first to ensure the safety of your household.
Is mounting a TV on a chimney breast safe?
One of the most common concerns when mounting a TV above your fireplace is how safe it is, both for the television and the members of your household. The main worry is that the temperatures exuded from the chimney will be too high for the TV to withstand. However, this can be simply and easily checked by testing how hot your fireplace actually is. This mostly applies to both a gas fire and wood-burning fireplace, as an electric fireplace doesn’t usually emit enough heat, but it’s recommended to do a temperature check on all any fireplace before mounting a TV.
The professional recommendation is that you should not mount a TV on your chimney breast if the temperature you measure is above 100°F (or 37°C), as it is no longer safe and would cause heat damage to the TV. However, anything above 90°F (or 32°C) could cause damage to your TV so it is important to check your manufacturer’s suggestions.
Another important consideration is that wood-burning fireplaces will emit soot and ash. As a result, it is vital that you undertake regular chimney cleaning in order to keep any damage to your TV to an absolute minimum.
What do I do with wires?
Whenever you mount a TV above your fireplace it is important to consider what you will do with your cables and wires. One great idea is to recess them into the wall, which is most easily achieved if you have a modern fireplace with a drywall surround. However, if you do recess them, make sure there is enough insulation between the wiring and the chimney as otherwise, they may overheat.
If your fireplace is brick or stone, it is most likely that you will not be able to recess your wires and should, instead, disguise them with a wire management system. It may also be possible to chisel out a channel within the grout of your chimney breast for your wires.
What if my fireplace is brick or concrete?
Attaching a TV to a concrete or brick fireplace will involve a little more work and, usually, a little more equipment. This is because most TV mounts do not come with appropriate anchors for brick or concrete, so you will need to purchase these yourself.
It is vital that you check your manufacturer’s specifications when choosing concrete screws or anchors and you should anchor into the mortar, not brick, wherever possible. If you are worried about mounting your TV and simply want a second opinion seek out the advice of a local builder.
How to mount a TV onto your chimney breast
Once you’ve considered all of the above and are clear that you want to install your TV mounted on a chimney breast, you can begin the process.
Installing a TV on a chimney breast can be performed by any competent DIYer, providing the appropriate Installing a TV on a chimney breast can be performed by any competent DIYer, providing the appropriate steps are taken. By following the steps below, you’ll be left with a stunning chimney breast TV that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
Prepare your tools and equipment
Before you begin, make sure you have all of the necessary tools and equipment that you will need to conduct the work.
This includes the following:
- A stud finder
- A spirit level
- A measuring tape
- A power drill
- A mounting TV bracket
- Screws and wall anchors for your specific wall
Choose the best position
Take some time to consider the best position on the chimney breast for your television. It’s extremely important that you do this before any further steps as the final position of the TV placement will impact your viewing enjoyment and it can be tricky to readjust after the process is complete.
Be sure to consider factors including the viewing angle, glare and lighting. You should avoid mounting a TV in areas where it’s likely to be impacted by glare or sunlight.
There is a wide range of TV on chimney breast ideas out there, so be sure to do your research prior to carrying out the work.
Locate wall studs
The next step is to locate your wall studs.
Grab your stud finder and use it to find where the studs are located in the wall. A TV on a chimney breast will need to be installed on these studs in order to ensure the device remains stable and is not going to fall.
If your TV does fall, not only can it cause costly damage but it can also be dangerous and cause accidents. Once you’ve found where the wall studs are, you should mark their position using a pencil or tape.
Mount the bracket
The next step is to mount your tv bracket to the wall. These brackets are what the television will sit upon so it’s imperative that this step is conducted properly to prevent accidents down the line.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure wall mount brackets are properly secured on the chimney breast. Use your spirit level to make sure the brackets are completely straight. Before you progress any further, make sure to double check the stability of the tv bracket and that all of your screws are tightened securely.
Consider wire management
This step is optional, but to ensure a fully clean and organised look, you might want to consider installing some wire management solutions.
Wall mounted channels and wire sleeves can be installed on the chimney breast which are handy ways to conceal wires and offer a much neater appearance. With these types of solutions in place, wires that are connected to the TV and other electronic devices are easily tucked away.
Some people consider these wires unsightly and so opt for these types of wire management solutions.
Mounting the TV
Now it’s time to actually mount the television.
You may need another person to assist with this step to ensure the television is securely placed and is not going to fall off the chimney breast.
Once your wall mount brackets are securely attached, place the TV onto the bracket. Do not let go of the television until you’re completely certain it has been properly secured. Take some time to thoroughly double-check that the TV is secure and make any adjustments that are necessary.
Test the TV
Once the TV has been mounted on the chimney breast, you should test it to ensure everything is working as it should be. Connect all of the necessary cables and wires, and turn on the television.
If it is working properly, make sure you’re happy with the angle to ensure a comfortable viewing experience is to your desired expectation. You may need to tilt or swivel the television slightly until you’re satisfied.
