TV install over fireplace

[4x15mph]

Our family room was built in the 80's and is near impossible to arrange as far as seating and the tv. The best option we have as we redo the room is to put the TV over the fireplace that we use a lot. I am hoping to get some ideas from others on the install (DIY).

Below are some pictures. I want to avoid drilling into the stone if possible. You will see a railroad tie mantel that lays on top of stone mounts. The mantel is not glued down yet and I am now thinking that I could attach the tv mount brackets to the rear of that mantel, glue it down, and hang the tv. The TV is a small LED (light) samsung, 50".

Do any of you have some other ideas for me to consider, convince me to drill, or other?

 

[Gym]

Great looking fireplace. The two biggest problems I'm aware of is heat and running power & cable. You shouldn't have much of a heat issue as your mantle is pronounced enough to deflect the heat out away from the TV. The biggest issue I see is getting power & cable to the TV without detracting from your beautiful stone work. I see just above the 4th course of stone, above the mantle, you have a grout line that should allow you to channel out enough grout to run power & shielded cable to the TV. Depending on the size of the TV you may only need to channel a foot or so. Let's see some pics of your finished project.

 

[Ronnie]

I would probably run two 4" x 4" posts up from the mantle and possibly some thick plywood between them to attach the tv mount to. If you keep the tv close to the mantle and or have a speaker bar you may not be able to see the posts behind it. As for the cable just run it up the side of one of the Sheetrock walls in paintable plastic covers available at most hardware stores and either under and through the bottom of the mantle or on top of it. Another alternative maybe to extend the mantle and have the tv sit directly on top of it.

I mounted a 50" and replaced it with a 70" over my fireplace but mine is configured differently than yours. If you think you may go bigger in the future set up the mount for such an upgrade now. In my case I wish I would have installed the mount a few inches higher.

 

[96Pirate]

Mounting from the mantel only using a traditional wall mount and some type of brackets would make the TV top heavy. If you were able to use the table top stand brackets and mount to the mantel you might be ok if there is a big enough base. Or were you planning on using the base that came with the TV? If you want the clean look and still be able to place items on the mantel go with mounting directly on the stone. What is your fear with drilling in the stone? The mortar can easily be repaired so I would drill there. Since the stone is irregular then you might need to modify the bracket in order to align with the mortar.

Good luck!

 

[MrMoose]

http://www.displays2go.com/P-34946/...DkEKvzicm0bjOgIcNV9moE8FZhd-qH07_saAmcL8P8HAQ

 

[chess]

Have you looked at ceiling mounted ?

I use to lead a group of AV engineers and can give you tons of suggestions if you want just PM me

 

[Speedling]

http://mf1.crutchfield.selectionassistant.com/index.php/heightfinder
I have found that a TV on the fireplace is usually too high for comfortable viewing unless you are sitting a good ways away.
https://www.cnet.com/news/how-high-should-i-put-my-tv-morrisons-mailbag/
When I go the the CNET link, it has a video telling you WHY TO NOT go above the fireplace.
I have one over the fireplace. Luckily it's at the end of my living room and we can watch comfortably from the dining room table. Wait.. did you catch that? So comfortable viewing is 45 feet away for a 55" TV.

In case you didn't see the video:
https://www.cnet.com/news/how-high-should-i-put-my-tv-morrisons-mailbag/

TV's should be at eye level, not so you are looking upward. Unless of course you're the type to sit in the front row at a movie theatre. Or to sit on the floor to watch a movie.
Find another solution and don't hide my masonry work.

From http://www.crutchfield.com/S-nax4018KThi/learn/learningcenter/home/flatpanel_install.html
:
Where to mount your TV
Ideally, the middle of your TV screen should be at eye level when you're seated. Mounting it too high can result in neck strain. Plus, the picture will look its best when viewed as close to head-on as possible, rather than at an angle. If you do decide to opt for a higher placement, consider using a tilting wall mount so you can angle the TV down.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Ceiling pole mount is the only way to avoid drilling your stone. It's probably the best and cleanest install method. You'll need to cut open some holes in the wall and ceiling to fish all of your wires but drywall is easily patched.

 

[4x15mph]

Thank you for all of the input. I wanted to start by putting the tv on a temporary mount at the same hight to see how it was for viewing for a week or so. Upon setting it up, I found that our wreath was attached to a screw/anchor that was already installed in the stone (mortar) and at the right hight.... So, I set up a temporary hanger on the TV using a standard mount backing plate and some galvanized wire. It worked well and is now hanging while we see how this works for us. I bought a Sonos PlayBar and also installed that under the TV. All junk including the countless pieces of A/V equipment/speakers are now out of that room and this makes room for a lot more furniture/seats. My goal

I have read a lot about how the fireplace is not the right place for a TV especially under a wood fireplace. Worse case, the tv has a shorter life span. A 50" will probably be $100 by then which is all I want on that stone wall.

 

[JetPowered]

Drill into the stone. We did that with limestone and a hammer drill. No problems holding a 65" plasma @ 70 pounds on an articulating mount. Used a Chief around mount. Had the local AV guys supply the mount and install, since there was no way I could get such a TV that high in the air myself. I'll dig for a picture if you'd like. On moving I had to remove the whole setup. Left four small holes that were easily grouted.

 

[Buckeye Boater]

Check out the down and out mount at Dynamicmounting.com. We love it.

 

[The Jigs Up]

Have you looked at ceiling mounted ?

I use to lead a group of AV engineers and can give you tons of suggestions if you want just PM me

I had same issue. Did a ceiling mount and looks and works great.

 

[Wayloncle]

Saw this on FB today and thought about this thread....

 

[Bill D]

Doh!

 

[d_coyne1984]

I would definitely mount the tv to the brick with some solid anchors. You could router a channel in the back of your wood mantle piece to conceal your power and coax wires though.