Home audio & video: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace?
- 2/27/09 2:41 PM
Why not... (under certain conditions...)
by sachinis - 2/20/09 9:54 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The "cone" of the heat radiated from the fireplace is determined by the fireplace perimeter - therefore, no direct heat goes right above, where you want to place your Plasma screen (simple test: if you put decorative candles at the same place they will not melt...).
Still, you must be completely certain that your fireplace operates properly and does not produce any smoke returns to the inner space, which usually wash the surface above the opening. This would be your only and major problem, even if you recess the screen in the wall!
Installing a flat screen over a fireplace
by Leslie J Baker - 2/20/09 10:00 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I'm an Interior Designer and deal with this decision on a daily basis, working with both the fireplace manufactures and many brands of television. Heat is the only problem to be concerned with. Your fireplace mfg. will give your their requirements for space necessary to protect from overheating. Typically we build a box out of 2x4's and cover it with drywall or cement board to create a recessed space for the television, leaving only enough space at the top and sides to be able to remove it easily. You'll need to hardwire the power and cable in back of the box. If it's a corner, clients will sometimes design the recess with a knockout panel in the back for more ventilation. I usually have the box painted black in the back so it blends in with the unit. If my fireplace surface is a stone product, such as slate, I wrap the inside of the box with the matching slate. This helps with the heat problem. Be sure to figure for this extra material
(including adhesive and grout) so your opening doesn't get too tight. Note, I specify a separate location for the cable box, generally bundling it with the rest of the components, off to one side. This also brings up where to place the front, left and right speakers. I usually have the center mounted in another opening above the TV, and hope I have enough surface area for the L @ R speakers to be inset, as well. Ceiling height becomes an important factor here. You don't want to have to crook your neck all night to see an elevated screen. The ideal height to have the bottom of the screen is 30 inches from the floor, if you are sitting 8 feet away. Obviously, this can't be achieved in this kind of installation. Keep your fp opening as low as possible, leave at least 7 inches between the top of the fireplace and the bottom of the opening.
For what it's worth, some people don't know components can now be hidden behind doors. You can purchase a wireless device from your audio video source to do this. Don't forget those components REALLY have to breathe. Good luck with your project. I assure you it will be worth all the effort when it's complete.
Hot Fireplace
by mwooge - 2/20/09 10:16 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Regarding any heat from the fireplace: if an active fire can heat up the TV enough to damage it, your problem isn't the TV. It's the house catching on fire. The walls and floor around the fireplace should not get seriously hot.
The cool way to deal with a hot situation.
by TrackStar1682 - 2/20/09 10:17 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I wouldn't do it for at least a few different reasons.
Before I get to the reasons why, let me say that more than likely, there would be little danger to the TV itself when dealing with such a plan. However, if you're planning on any routing of your cables through the walls, I'd be concerned that the cables could melt if the fireplace was close enough to the inside walls. Mounting the display itself could also pose a real challenge. You'd have to at the very least mount a large display bracket to the studs in your wall, or if the wall is solid brick, could require a substantial amount of drilling. Some types of brick are difficult or even practically impossible to drill through as I've discovered working on construction projects. Final reason I wouldn't place the TV there is purely a matter of personal taste. If you're trying to enjoy a fire and a movie on a cold winter's night, the fire could be a bit of a distraction. It could be minor if the fire is fairly low, but if you've got a fairly big fire going in an otehrwise dark room, it could be quite annoying.
is itsafe to mount a LCD over the fireplace
by htdile - 2/20/09 10:17 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
It might be possible. It depends otn the phisical conditions of the installation. For sure I do not suggest to mount it into the wall. Actual LCDs have a power consumption of 150-200 W. There is a natural internal ventilation that take place from the bottom to the top of the LCD via the grids of the plastics (sometimes, in big size TV there are also fans. This cooling systems are calculated in the basis of open air and ambient temperature. If you install into the wall you loose the open air. If you install on top of the fireplace maybe the ambient temperature is different. A higher working temperature will short the LCD life!!!
yeah i think it be fine.
by Mesiaskane - 2/20/09 10:36 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Installing a flat-screen there depends on a few factors.Can it be mounted safely and without any danger of breaching the chute? mostly i'd be worry about running the wires to the TV.
and how to hook up speakers.that you'll have to figured whatever look best.
as far as the safety to the TV itself.
you'll need to place thermometer where you wish to place it.to check the temperature.if it's above 90 degrees it probally not a good idea.
though the TV will probally be fine.that you're call.
you should consider a tilt bracket to angle the TV down for better air flow.or an articulating one to leave more space.just be sure to allow as much heat as you can to escape.
and you said it's a gas fire place which dones't generates soot.so their should be no problem of airborne particles flowing into the set.
if anything i sure their are people you could call who would know how to do this in you area.
As it's becoming common to put a Tv over a fire place snice most of the time their located in the living room and at a good spot.
hope this was helpful.
to mount a flat screen over a fireplace....
by luc-nava - 2/20/09 10:47 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
It is very risky, i did and after 0ne month problem started , first i lost the sound, then after a few days start flikering, the tec hnician could not understand, until i told him that it was mounted over a fireplace, it cost me to repair as much as the new unit, i had to forget about keep the tv over the fireplace. That should tell you all. Good luck !
In 2 cents worth
by xDarryl - 2/20/09 11:00 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Is the fireplace gas or wood burning? I've found that wood burning fireplaces eventually leave a residue from smoke directly above.
How much heat can you feel in the area?
tv over fireplace
by diesel503 - 2/20/09 11:16 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Is your gas fireplace used a lot? If not get a decent stand for either kind of tv and just put it in the same spot. Now if you want to mount it over the fireplace itself, just make sure your floo is open and I doubt it would harm it. You can get those glass doors for the fireplace than you could enjoy the fire and not worry about anthing leaking upward. I dont know the layout of your home but personally I wouldnt want a fire blazing right underneath my home theater. Kinda distracting. Good luck.
Flat Screen over a Fireplace? That's hot!
by HomelessClarence - 2/20/09 11:31 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The actual mounting of today's flat screens to a fireplace, fireplace surround, or wall material covering a fireplace is not a problem. In fact, today's flat screens mount onto a frame which is then hung onto a chassis to hold it to the wall. Yep, now that's progress.
Now the BAD news.
The enemy of LCD and Plasma flat screens is HEAT. When you look at the back of the TV, you see the designer's attempt to dissipate all the heat the components make. As you can imagine, with the heat also comes distortion of the components, warping of the screen and the frame, not to mention shortening the lifespan of the circuitry.
I understand that 3 ways to avoid too much damage from a working fireplace (you can't avoid having some damage, but flat screens look GREAT over the hearth).
One technique is to NOT to recess it but to mount it above the substrate, giving it an air-gap and room for air circulation behind, around and in front of the it. Having a relatively wide mantle above the fireplace also helps to keep heated air from drifting into the screen. A free standing fan to the side of the fireplace and/or flat screen also helps.
A second technique has an air-gap as well and has moving air (a wind tunnel) for cooling. The air behind, under and around the flat screen is pushed (similar to personal and laptop computers) by small low voltage fans. To help alleviate the heat coming upward in the front, often these are vented to the bottom to push upwelling air away from the screen.
The third technique (I cannot verify) is a Gel system. I've heard stories that this system is the addition of large heat sinks and a circulating gel medium pumped through said heat sinks, thereby drawing off the heat to evaporators.
Do consider that all gas fireplaces have BTU ratings that can affect the amount of cooling needed for the flat screen. Some gas fireplaces are more powerful than the heating system that the house has, while some are merely cosmetic and have little heating ability. All told, the most damage from heat is that generated by the flat screen itself. So buy a little freestanding fan, prepare some microwave popcorn, and hi-def to your hearts content.
It is not a good idea to place a flat screen over fireplace.
by avnitro - 2/20/09 11:38 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Good day everybody!
It was very interesting to read any comments about things , which surrounds us in our common life, on this website . Thanks editors for that. My opinion is negative, if I suddenly wanted to mount flat screen over the fireplace.
I think that will cause damage of the internal electronic components. Not at once, but may be in a near future. Also it may cause damage of the screen due to overheating and the screen will become carbon-blacked.
So, I do not recommend to do it.
Best Regards
Igor.
Russia
TV mounting over fireplace
by jim ramsdale - 2/21/09 12:12 AM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have a 42" Plasma Screen TV which is mounted over the fireplace.
The fire is an open fire and I frequently burn coal or logs.
There is a mantlepiece projecting 9" from the wall under the TV which is separated from the wall by 1". The TV mounting is purpose built and is readily available with instructions on fitting.The gap bteween the TV and wall is essential.
The screen projects 5" from the wall and is protected from any up draft by the mantlepiece.
THe TV has been in position for 3 years and I have had no problems.
It is a perfect position for a TV !
Jim.
Mounting Flat Screen over Gas Fireplace
by kentowl - 2/21/09 12:29 AM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
FOr what it's worth we recently installed a 52" LCD, flush-fit into a 55" cavity in a granite overmantle, above a 45000 btu gas fireplace in a granite surround which also holds speakers and components. We used an articulated mount that allows the LCD to be pulled out 18" for access to connections; that mounts on 2x10 stringers directly lag-bolted to the wall studs. The cavity that holds the TV doesn't even get warm when the fireplace is on (which it is most of the winter). I should note that in our case, the base of the TV is about 22" above the fireplace to clear the vent pipe, and the front of the overmantle and TV face are set back a few inches from the fireplace door.
I was told that plasma units would not get adequate cooling when mounted in a close-fitting cavity like this, but the LCD seems very happy there.
When considering an installation like this, be sure to check the fireplace installation guide and local regulations to see how far everything needs to be from the flue pipe. The TV may need to be higher than you anticipate.
Good luck
Fireplace screen.
by davolente - 2/21/09 1:14 AM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I'm in the trade here in the UK and I have to say that I certainly wouldn't entertain the idea of a large flat screen set being installed over a working fireplace. Several words spring to mind, HEAT being one of them, RELIABILITY being another. Rising heat would also probably send dust into the interior of the set, not to mention what if would do to the screen surface. Believe me, it's a complete no-no! We have customers that have these sort of ideas and we will not do it and, after we have explained why, they can see the error of their ways! 
. Have you also thought about how you would route numerous cables unobtrusively to the set? Another point to bear in mind is the viewing height. The screen should be roughly level with the eyes at a seated position, or slightly lower. I think you would find that viewing an elevated TV would get extemely tiresome after a short while. Stiff-neck syndrome!
Also watch (if you pardon the pun) the screen size. Some people just go for something huge at the wrong vewing distance and regret it afterwards.
As for different types, my opinion, for what it's worth, is that up to about 37" there is not a great deal to chose betweeen plasma and LCD (at the correct viewing distance), although I think that plasma has the edge. Anything over that size, plasma definitely wins out. As for DLP, that technology is mostly used in projectors, although I have seen some shallow rear-projection sets (it's all done by mirrors!) that look good Unfortunately, they can't easily be wall-mounted.
As for installing it directly into the wall, again, have you considered ventilation? Flat screens don't exactly run very cool.
All in all, with respect, I would completely re-think your plans, as they are fraught with problems.
Fireplace tv
by fatoldtart - 2/21/09 2:08 AM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Only if you are a fan of Extreme Makeover!
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