Home audio & video: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace?
- 2/27/09 2:41 PM
angle of view
by Petes - 2/28/09 12:53 AM In reply to: It's a TV, not art. by mwindelerWhoever wrote this obviously has never watched a TV from such a position! With a tilting mounting bracket the viewing angle is 100% perfect and comfortable no matter how long you watch the TV. This comes from experience, so go ahead and mount it up!
Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace?
by sir lubbie - 2/20/09 8:11 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
How hot is it at the level you want to mount it? Depending on type of fireplace the heat may not be much more then the average room temperature (so this won't be an issue). Most LCD's and Plasma's have the heat exchangers on the back so mounting them into the wall is never a good idea. Most brackets will not make the screen protrude to far into the living area and will provide the easy access to the rear of the screen when the unit fails.
Flat screen over fireplace
by mriev - 2/20/09 8:15 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
In most cases, yes it is. One way to be sure is to place a thermometer on the wall where the flat screen will be mounted while there is a fire burning in the fireplace. If the temperature doesn't exceed 90 degrees F, then it's safe. Mounting flatscreens above a fireplace is actually quite common.
Mounting flat screens over a fireplace
by AnthonyPWAbq - 2/20/09 8:18 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Well Barbara I have mounted a 42" flat screen LCD over a gas fireplace here in Alaska two years ago. Its great as it does give us more floor space and the concern about the viewing angle being to extreme are nonsense as I'm sure you are not going to set your TV higher than what you are comfortable with.
My only suggestion is for you to go with the cut out installation, as you can still go with a bracket installation by adding a couple of studs to re-enforce the mounting bracket but also allows you to hide your power source, signal input, and so on (you might consider using the Monster MP HTFS-IW HC In-Wall PowerCenter for Custom Installations)that way you dont have wires showing.
Just plan your project out and you'll do fine.
plasmas hdtvs
by pumpkinman1963 - 2/20/09 8:43 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I wouldnt suggest installing your new tv over the fire place..i have a 45 inch plasma and they get very hot..so i would think the extra heat coming from fire place would not help only hurt.i also would not mount it into the wall for these units need air circulation to cool and being in a wall would not let the unit cool properly..these units get very hot..and need good ventilation.i would mount it away from the fireplace and use a wall mount..steve [dont burn your investment up]..
Unsafe mounting above fireplace
by gr8mtn - 2/20/09 8:46 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
As I see it there are several reasons NOT to mount a flat screen above the fireplace. Line of sight is going to be an issue for many fireplace mantels. You will have to mount quite a bit higher than is comfortable, in many rooms.
I would also be concerned about mounting screws sticking into the chimney flue and posing a safety hazard to Santa Claus. Depending on the size of the flue he may be able to shimmy shim shim down the chimney flue but mounting screws that are too long, may rip his suit at best and at worst cause a bad laceration.
I have had two.
by Gadget Junkie 72 - 2/20/09 8:53 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My first 42" Plasma was mounted above a wood burning fireplace that was used quite a bit. There were no problems. In my current home I have a 50" unit mounted above a gas fireplace. There have been no problems with this configuration either. Most fireplaces have a good firewall built around the chimney and should never be an issue. It's been around five years and there have never been issues. And if done properly, a mounted television above your fireplace is a great focal point for the room. I get lots of compliments on how neat and clean the look is. I say go for it!
tv mount
by ggrevamp - 2/20/09 9:01 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
not my preferable spot or test location by a thermometer where t v screen would be located!! fire is hot so ??? use thoughtfulness and of course an into wall mount more reliable than flat panel swivel mount exterior of wall gg
flat screen on fire!
by daddywags13 - 2/20/09 9:06 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Lee,
My only concern with the fireplace issue would be to deflect the heat out and away from my TV. Do you have a mantel above your fireplace?
Mounting the TV high on the wall would be the best option, again, it will be as far away from the heat as possible.
Now, about the drywall. Usually the drywall is installed directly on the brick of the chimney so trying to recess the TV would not work and you need to have air flow around the TV to help keep the electrical components cool.
hope it helps
Not a good idea
by zzzqaz - 2/20/09 9:07 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I put an nice AV system in my new house, and asked my installer about doing the same thing. He said "no", for two reasons. First, to the extent that heat/fumes/soot/etc rise out of the fireplace and get sucked into the TV, it is not good for the electronics. Second (and even more importantly), think about how high the TV would be relative to your seated position in the room (not standing). If you fireplace is anywhere near normal size, this puts your TV way too high compared to your comfortable line of sight when seated.
So, I installed the TV next to the fireplace, at a comfortable height, and use an articulated mount to adjust angles as necessary.
Mike
Mounting a Flat Screen above the Fireplace
by lmackey - 2/20/09 9:15 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
There are a few things to consider before trying to mount a flat screen TV over the fire place.
First Question: Does it get hot where you want to put the TV?
Can you put your hands on the wall where you want to put the TV and not feel it getting hot? The answer in most cases should be yes but the simple fact is if your hands feel its warm or hot, the electronics in the TV will think it's hot also and hot electronics tend to have a short life.
Second Question: Are you bolting the mounting frame for the TV into wood studs in the wall? Is the wall above the fireplace rock, stone, dry wall??? If you are unsure of the answer, I would suggest you hire someone to install the mounting.
Third Question: Do you know how you are going to route the wires for power and signal to the TV. Again if you are not familar with this type of work, I would suggest finding an electrician or someone familar with mounting the frame and properly routing the wiring. In many areas the local building regulations require a licensed electrician install the power cables and outlets needed to power the TV. Generally they can also do the TV mount.
The fireplace is probably less of an issue than making sure the TV is securely mounted to the wall and the cables are safely and cleanly installed.
Flat TV mounted over a fireplace
by jmsrn - 2/20/09 9:23 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I'm no final say here that's for sure but when I read your post I thought of soot. I grew up with a working fireplace at home and every once in a great while the damper closed and the soot and smoke would spill out. That's not all... that fireplace threw off a LOT of heat. I would never put my plasma TV there without some sort of heat deflector although I have no suggestion as to how that can be accomplished. Good luck with it.
Flat screen above the fireplace problem
by Ken Jr. - 2/20/09 9:31 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Before you even think about mounting your new TV above the fireplace, put a painting or something else of interest where you think you might put that TV. Now sit in your favorite chair or couch and spend 3 or 4 hours looking up at that item. How does your neck feel? Are you starting to get a headache?
Google, "TV at eye level". Read what others have to say on the subject.
RE: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace?
by giaimo13 - 2/20/09 9:34 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Before you even decide on a mounting strategy (set-back into the wall or resting on a mantle or mounted with a "mounting system"available from a multitude of vendors, fire up the old fireplace and get it running as hot as possible. Here we are assuming the worst - you and your honey and a jereboam of wine, and a good movie and some lovin' and wham! Next thing you know, you are sound asleep, the fire is raging, and the front of your flat panel is melting in front of you. Check the temperature by mounting a thermometer at the height the flat panel will occupy, and turn the fireplace up as high as you can. See what the resulting temperature is, and check with your set's manufacturer to ensure that operating the unit at that ambient temperature will not void the warranty or damage the unit. Then you may proceed as directed by your licensed contractor. Alternatively, call one of those electronic home installation outfits affiliated with the big box electronic retailers, and pay them to do the install. All their installs are guaranteed, and any resultant damages toyour set would be the responsibility of the installation company provided that you opt for the installation warranty! Good luck!
Mounting a Plazma TV over fireplace
by dlococo - 2/20/09 9:42 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have had a 42 in. plazma mounted over my fireplace for the past 3 years with out a problem There is little heat above the mantle on my fireplace. I think I would stay with a good mounting bracket so the air can cirulate around the TV less you add a fan in the wall to help remove heat produced by the TV itself.
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