Movie and game night just got an upgrade
If you’ve kicked the corner of your TV stand one too many times and are ready to invest in a TV wall mount to keep your entertainment center up and away, you’re in the right place. With a couple of steps and a little bit of elbow grease, you’ll have your TV up and running in no time. Here’s everything you need to know about how to mount a TV on the wall.
There are a handful of options available for mounting your TV to the wall, including:
Fixed TV wall mounts
Swivel wall mounts
Tilting wall mounts
Full-motion wall mounts
Mounts with a telescoping arm
You’ll need to read the box for whichever mount you want to install to ensure that it can hold the weight of your TV. It’s also a good idea to choose a mount from the same manufacturer you purchased your TV from, as they’re more likely to be compatible with each other. You don’t want to purchase a mounting system that is incompatible with your TV only to discover this after you’ve drilled it into the wall.
Choosing where to mount a TV is a little like finding the right house—location matters. You’ll want to choose the location in your house carefully. For example, mounting your TV over your fireplace may seem like the perfect place, but the wall can overheat your TV. Test the wall with a thermometer and pick a new location if the temperature exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Consider where your power outlets are located and whether the TV can reach the cable box, gaming consoles, and other accessories.
Just like you don’t want a TV that’s on the fritz from a fireplace bake-off, you also don’t want a TV that is so high up that you strain your neck while trying to relax and watch a film; likewise, you don’t want a TV that is off-centered. When figuring out how high to mount your TV, a good rule of thumb is to mount your TV around 42 inches above the floor, with the center of the screen coming in at that 42-inch mark. If you’re not sure of the right location, have a friend or two hold the TV up while you sit back from your viewing spot. Mark the perfect location with a pencil.
Once you’ve chosen the location and height, you’ll need to check one more key component before you get started: the wall studs. You don’t want to mount your TV into drywall because drywall alone can’t handle the weight of the setup. Instead, use a stud finder to identify the studs behind the drywall.
Give the area a firm knock after the stud finder detects a stud to ensure that there’s really a stud back there. It should make a shallower sound compared to the hollower sound of sheer drywall. Use painter’s tape to mark the location. Some TV mounts only require a single stud, while others require two, so plan accordingly.
“X” marks the spot—or in this case, some handy pencil markings. Open your mount system and locate the template for helping you mark the pilot holes. If your particular system doesn’t have a template, you can simply use the mount itself as a guide. Place the level at the top to ensure that it’s straight. If you don’t have a helper, you might want to use painter’s tape to secure the template or mount. Once it’s level, use your pencil to mark where you’ll drill the holes into the wall. You can remove the tape and template or mount after you’ve marked the spot.
Now it’s time to drill the holes into the wall. Choose the correct drill bits according to the installation instructions for the wall mount, and drill to the same length as the bolts that are included in the mounting system. Using an electric drill, place the bit up to the pencil markings you made in the previous step and drill straight holes into each marking. Take your time with this step, as you don’t want to miss the marking and have an off-kilter TV come time to mount it.
With the pilot holes ready to go, you can now screw the wall mount into the wall. Line your mount up to the pilot holes so that the holes in the mount are directly over the pilot holes. Then, use your drill to drive each screw into the wall. If you have a helping hand, have a helper hold the mount in place to make this process easier.
Before you can mount the TV, you’ll also need to install the mounting plate to the back of the TV. Using the screws, a screwdriver, and hardware that came with the mount, follow the instructions to correctly mount the plate to the TV.
With your TV and mount ready to go, it’s time to lift the TV up to the wall mount and install it. Before you let go of the TV, make sure that it’s securely attached to the mount. It might be helpful to have a friend or family member help you with this process—especially if you have a very large TV.
If you decide to install a TV mount yourself, prices can be as little as $15 or as much as $600 for high-tech features like tilting mechanisms, swiveling mechanisms, or LED lighting. Generally speaking, a standard fixed TV mount will cost under $25.
Installing a level mounting system isn’t for everyone, however. If you struggle to straighten a picture frame or other wall decor around the house, you might want to consider calling in the pros. A TV wall mounting specialist near you can install your wall mount in the perfect location so that you can make the most out of your viewing experience.
The cost to hire a professional to install your TV mount is between $70 and $200 on average. This doesn’t include the cost of the TV mount, so factor in the price of the mounting hardware as you plan and budget. More complex installations and larger TVs may exceed this price range.
If you don’t have studs in the area where you want to install your TV mount, you may still be able to install a TV mount on drywall. The easiest way to install a mount on drywall is by using drywall anchors—but not just any plastic anchors. Choose molly bolts or toggle anchors, which have a weight capacity of around 50 pounds. For added support, consider pairing drywall anchors with a wall mounting plate. Extra heavy TVs may need to be mounted via the ceiling joists or beams.
Determining if mounting a TV on the wall or mounting it on a stand is better boils down to personal preference. TV mounts are an excellent choice for homes that have limited space, unruly dogs, or young children. They also allow you to customize the height and viewing angle more easily. At the same time, mounting a TV on an entertainment center stand offers additional storage space, a place to hide the wires, and fewer holes in the wall. Renters may also have limitations on drilling holes into the wall above certain diameters.
Yes, you can mount a TV on a brick wall. This process may take a little more time and different tools, however. You’ll need to directly drill mounting holes into the bricks using a masonry drill and masonry bits instead of a regular power drill. Masonry drills have the power and design to drill into denser surfaces like brick. Use either plastic anchors or concrete screws to mount your TV.
