Mount a Flat Screen TV

Mounting a flat screen TV to your wall is an aesthetically pleasing experience that you're sure to enjoy. With the proliferation of flat screen, HD, and plasma TVs, more and more people have started mounting TVs to their walls. In fact, it's relatively easy and inexpensive. A sturdy wall mount need only set you back $50 or $60 dollars. For a detailed guide on how to mount your TV to the wall, read on.

Steps

Mount the Brackets to Your Flat Screen

  1. Obtain a correctly-sized bracket either online or at an electronic retail store. Any major electronic retailer should be able to help you with this purchase if you have questions. Generally, brackets come in a size range. This means you can buy a bracket that fits a range of TVs.
    • For example, you might purchase a bracket that fits {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} televisions. Any flatscreen TV within this size range should fit the bracket, unless otherwise stated.
  2. Remove the base that comes with the TV if it is attached. If the base is not already attached when you open the box, do not put it on; you'll just have to take it off later.
  3. Lay the TV on its face (glass down) on a soft, padded, flat item. If you have any reservations about laying your plasma TV glass-down on the carpet or floor, check the owner's manual for guidance. Some plasma screen manufacturers recommend working with the flat screen facing upright while attaching the brackets.
  4. Look for the four holes on the back of the TV. Those are where you will place the bracket you purchased. There might be three pieces to your mount. The two small brackets will attach to your TV.
    • Remove any screws plugging the holes if necessary. Many TVs manufacturers plug their mounting holes with screws during assembly.
  5. Put the mounting brackets on the back of the TV, aligning them as stated in your mounting directions. Make sure that the brackets are facing the correct way when screwed to the TV.
  6. Use a screwdriver to tighten any remaining bolts. The bracket should be firmly bolted to the TV, without any wiggle room. You may need to use some washers that come with the bracket to get a tight fit.

Mount Your Flatscreen to the Wall

  1. Find the studs in your wall. Mark the center of the stud on the wall. Standard studs are actually {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} wide (after drying and dressing the rough-cut 2" x 4" board). If you don't locate studs when you hang the flatscreen, your TV is likely to weigh down too much on your weakly-supported drywall and fall right off, leaving you with a damaged TV and a damaged wall.
    • The best way to find the studs is with an electronic stud finder, which you can easily rent at your local hardware supply store.
    • Alternately, you can measure 16" from the corner of the closest wall to find a stud, then keep measuring every 16" if your house is build to code.
    • If you're totally lost about where to find the studs, use your knuckles to tap on the wall where you think a stud might be. A hollow sound means drywall, whereas a thinner sound means stud. Hammer a tiny nail through the spot where you think you've hit a stud. If the nail goes right through, it's drywall; if it takes a while to go in, you've hit a stud.
  2. Using a level, mark your studs with pencil marks. You want to ensure an even, level mounting, so take a little time before you mount to ensure that the final product will be visually appealing.
  3. Drill pilot holes into them according to the drill pattern on your bracket back. You pilot holes should be a bit smaller than the bolts you'll be drilling into them. All you want to do is make their job a little easier.
  4. Place your mounting bracket on the wall, lined up with the studs and the pilot holes you just drilled. You may need another person to help you in the following step.
  5. Hold the mounting bracket on the wall and screw the largest bolts into the pilot holes. You can use a drill or wing it with just a socket and wrench. Double-check that the mounting bracket is in fact level.
    • Cut two holes in your wall if you want to hide your cords and keep them from trickling down from your TV.
    • In the middle of the mounting bracket, cut a square hole. Your mounting bracket should have a square hole designed specifically for this purpose.
    • One foot from the ground, cut another square hole into the drywall. This hole may be smaller than the first hole.
    • Feed your cords into the first hole and out the second. If you need to, use a feeder, such as Fish Tape, to help expedite the process.
  6. Pick up your TV and hang it on the bracket. Tighten the nuts that are attached to the bracket so that the TV will be tightened to the bracket.
  7. Make sure that the bracket is sturdy and can hold the weight of the TV before you fully let go. Plug in your cables to their respective homes and turn on your power.
  8. Finished! Your TV has been successfully mounted.



Tips

  • Don't drill a hole to run wires in wall along the same vertical axis as an electric socket outlet or cable/satellite television face plate co/axle outlet, or you might drill the electric line or cable wire.
  • A metal coat hanger works well for fishing wires through the holes.
  • Buying class 2- or 3-rated in-wall wires will save you time and money if you ever decided to move.
  • Hiding wires involves cutting a hole behind the TV mount location and and at the bottom of the wall.
  • Mounting the TV above a power outlet helps so you don't have to run a new one.
  • TV power wires will not affect picture cables, just electrical wires.
  • Having someone to help you hold the bracket and put the TV up will make it much easier.
  • The easiest way to find studs is with a stud finder.

Warnings

  • Running the TV power cord inside the wall as shown in these pictures does not comply with building and fire codes. It isn't safe.
  • Make sure your TV is sturdy and will not fall when you finally let go.
  • Wires and pipes can be hidden in the wall so drill carefully.
  • You must use in-wall rated wires when hiding them.

Things You'll Need

  • Drill/socket set and wrench
  • Screwdriver
  • Level
  • Knife if hiding wires
  • Metal coat hanger/metal wire
  • Stud finder

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Sources and Citations

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