Community Newsletter: Q&A: Tips on how to get that plasma TV mounted on the wall

Wall mounting of Flat Panel TV-Consider these factors

In reply to: Tips on how to get that plasma TV mounted on the wall by Lee Koo (ADMIN) 

First, let’s consider some concerns before we proceed:

1. Do you own, lease or rent? You should not wall mount without the permission of the owner.

2. Do you have wall constructed of vertical wooden 2x4 or 2x6 studs covered by sheetrock? If you have a log cabin, walls with plaster over wooden or metal lathe, etc., this is not a good idea to wall mount a TV.

3. If a heavy object is planned for wall mounting before the sheetrock is installed, architects and builders install wood “blocking” in the wall to give a strong material into which mounting screws or bolts can be anchored. Although quite a bite of weight can be hung from the sheetrock panels using Molly Bolts or specially designed sheetrock fasteners, I would recommend supporting a heavy and expensive item from the wooden studs or blocking fastened to studs or a plywood mounting board fastened to studs.

4. Do you want to mount your TV on the surface or recess it into the wall? Recessing increases the complexity quite a bit and is best done by a professional.

5. Using a plywood mount board for a 42 inch flat panel TV could be as large as 19 inches by 38 inches and still not be visible from in front. Since wood studs are traditionally installed on 16 inch centers, you will always have 2 horizontal studs to which the board can be screwed. If you are lucky in centering your TV where you want it, you might span as many as 3 studs. Such a board should be at least ½ inch thick and have the edges trimmed with a solid wood strip and the entire unit painted before installation. You can use “stove” bolts with round heads and a square shank pre-inserted into the board to give you a very strong set of lugs onto which to bolt your TV mounting bracket.

6. Will this be a permanent location for your TV? Wall mounting will leave some ugly walls when the TV is removed later and could require extensive wall repair.

7. Might you sell your residence later and take your TV? See number 4 above.

8. Might you want to buy a different TV in the future? If so, you will have to write off the cost of this installation and start over with a new set of installation costs for the next TV.

9. Will you get glare on the screen in this location from windows, etc.? If so, maybe this is not the very best location.

10. Will you have now (or in the future) a cable box, a satellite dish, a DVR, remote speakers, etc.? If so, where are they to be placed and how are they to be connected?

11. Do you want to hide all the cables, wiring etc., or leave them exposed?

12. If you want to leave them exposed, where are the existing cable jacks and existing electrical power receptacles?

13. Will you have custom cables made to eliminate extra cable lengths?

14. Is the proposed wall an exterior wall? If so, all new routing of cable must be done on the interior side and not from the exterior side of the wall.

15. Before you purchase your flat panel TV, check the cable connections in back to determine if the cables come in from the rear or up from the bottom. If they come in from the back, the set will have to sit out from the wall or the cables will have to be recessed into the wall.

16. If you plan to route some new cables, will you have to go over a door or window? If you do, you will have to come down to the new jack or receptacle from the top and could run into fire blocking running horizontally between the studs. If you penetrate the fire blocking, make sure you do not violate your building code.

17. If the set is to be mounted on an interior wall, there will be some sound transmission through the wall via the mounting bracket. Will someone in your family be sleeping in the adjoining room? If you are in a condo or an apartment, will a neighbor be in that room? If so, you could be forced to take your TV down.

18. If you are going to install new cable jacks or electrical receptacles, is there a suitable wall that can be accessed from the other side? If you are lucky, there will be an existing cable jack and/or electrical receptacle on the opposite side or the opposite side will be a closet or utility room or garage making it much easier to route these new lines.

19. Beware of plumbing lines, phone lines, doorbell wiring, thermostat wiring, stereo speaker wiring, fire and burglar alarm wiring, etc. inside the walls before you cut or drill here.

20. Are you permitted to install an electrical receptacle yourself or will have to use a licensed electrician? If you are permitted, do you have the knowledge and skill to do this?

21. Do you have all the tools needed? A list of likely tools needed follows. If you do have all the tools, are you skilled and experienced in their use? If not, don’t attempt this project on your own.

22. A list of tools and supplies likely needed include: saber saw with blades for wood and sheetrock, blade screwdriver, adjustable wrench, socket wrench set (inch, not metric), tape measure, level (bubble or laser), stud finder, cordless drill with set of drill bits, electricians lineman’s pliers, pocket knife, carpenters or combination square, scissors, pencil, flashlight, hand or portable vacuum, scotch tape, masking tape, sheetrock taping compound, putty knife, sandpaper, various sizes and types of screws and bolts, paint, paint brush.

23. The skill level in all this is not real high, but the most important thing is to consider all factors BEFORE you proceed.

24. If you do not wall mount your TV and if you do not already have a suitable stand on which to install the TV and the DVR, the cable box, etc., a new one will cost $150 to $350. An entertainment center (piece of furniture) could cost $1,000-$2,000. Weigh these costs against the cost of hiring a professional to wall mount your new TV.

25. If you don’t feel confident to install it yourself, find the extra money to hire a professional. You would not buy your fiancé a diamond and then try to fashion your own setting just to save money. You don’t cut your own hair.

Good luck!