Mounting That TV

Let’s be honest, a TV isn’t cheap. You can invest a few hundred dollars to several to get the one just right for you, so it’s easy to understand why you would want to be so careful with one. A large, $250-$1,000 item made of glass? I think it’s safe to say our anxiety spikes a bit any time we have to set up the new television.

When handling such an expensive and fragile product, it’s important to know how to set it up securely (and how not to set it up) to avoid future catastrophe. Mounting can be especially nerve-wracking as there’s absolutely no stable support underneath, so if that thing isn’t hooked to the wall just right…Catastrophe. Before mounting that television, let’s go over a few things to avoid your TV lying broken on the floor.

What to Avoid

Location

Just like the location of the TV has a positive impact, it can also have a negative. You’ll want to, of course, put it in the best spot to avoid that midday, as well a spot where it’s able to reach the nearest power outlet. We would even recommend considering the risks of hanging up your TV above the fireplace. Not much is worse for an electronics product than heat, so increasing the temperature of the TV can significantly shorten your entertainment device’s lifespan.

Coming Out Off-Center

There aren’t many artists who go into painting an intricate, realistic piece before first making a few sketches. Likewise, with your TV, don’t be afraid to grab a pencil and outline some straight lines. Make markings where you want it perched, so you can avoid hanging up the television only to realize it’s completely off-center, or crooked.

Sheetrock

Forget about drilling your mount into the sheetrock. Time and time again, eventually, that baby (along with your TV) comes tumbling down. This type of wall just isn’t capable of holding that much permanent weight. A stud will definitely be necessary to hang up the TV mount. At this point, we really recommend asking for a professional’s advice when it comes to specifics, whether the professional is a specialized service or your nearest Home Depot.

What to Do

Plan Around Extra Obstacles

Consider all of the components needed for your viewing experience. This isn’t just the TV and its cords, but any game consoles, cable boxes, or DVRs. If you have any of these, you’ll probably want to plan to install a floating shelf or purchase an entertainment cabinet if you don’t have one already.

Conceal the Cords

Number one leads into this next topic pretty well: Do you have a plan to conceal any exposed cords? If you’re not the type of person to care about any specific aesthetic or who has curious kids, you can most likely skip over this step. For those who do find it relevant, there are a few solutions such as:

1.    Professionally having the cords installed inside the wall.

2.    Having a power outlet installed behind the TV, so the cord doesn’t need free-fall.

3.    Purchase a cord-hider that will blend the cords in with the surroundings.

Come Prepared

Imagine you’re standing on a ladder, one hand helping the TV propped up on your shoulder, while the other is searching around for the next tool the instructions call for. I think most of us have been stuck in a situation similar to this before, and it makes it a million times more stressful when you don’t actually have all of the tools.

Setting up was hard enough, so taking it all down halfway through the run to the hardware store can be discouraging. Make sure you have access to these tools beforehand and have them ready. You’ll need a stud finder, drill, a drill bit that is around the same size as the mount screws, and a screwdriver bit.

Alternatives

If you find yourself in a sticky situation where there aren’t any studs in the place you’re wanting to mount the TV, you’ll need to use some sort of hollow wall anchor. These can be extremely strong, but make sure it isn’t paired with a full-motion, or articulating, mount as they don’t cooperate very well together.

Toggles have been shown to be used many times without the TV falling off of the wall. So long as it’s done right. Many installers tend to overestimate the wall strength. Again, that’s how we end up with catastrophe. In the end, if you aren’t comfortable doing the installation yourself, consider hiring a professional.