Mounting Your TV Above a Fireplace: Safety and Style Guide

Having a fireplace in your home brings so much literal and figurative warmth. It makes any ordinary wall a focal wall and makes any room a place for gathering and togetherness rather than just a space to be. Whether your fireplace is electric, gas, or solid fuel, its main purpose is to keep your home warm when it’s cold—but the added ambience is a delightful bonus! It makes perfect sense to mount your TV above a fireplace, since your fireplace is an automatic focal point in any room, the people in the room will naturally turn towards this source of light and heat.

Naturally, there are a number of concerns that come along with this. Will the TV overheat? Will the components melt completely? Is the wall solid enough, potentially with a chimney behind it, to hold the weight of the TV? Let’s take a look at some helpful advice and tips for mounting your TV above a fireplace.

Our Number 1 Tip – Check the Manufacturer’s Warranty Guidelines

When considering mounting your TV above a fireplace, the single most critical step you can take in my opinion is to check the manufacturer’s warranty guidelines regarding TV placement. This is absolutely critical because some warranties may not cover damages resulting from installation of a tv above a fireplace.

Make no mistake, tech is expensive! Mounting a TV above a fireplace exposes it to a set of unique conditions that some manufacturers might not account for in their warranty coverage, meaning if your TV incurs damage due to its placement they may refuse to cover the repair or replacement costs if your TV is damaged. By understanding the warranty limitations of your specific television make and model, you can make an informed decision and take necessary precautions to protect your investment.

This step is essential for maintaining the longevity and performance of your TV while enjoying the aesthetic and practical benefits of mounting it above your fireplace.

Questions To Ask Before Mounting your TV Above a Fireplace

Mounting your TV above a fireplace is a stylish and space-saving solution, but it’s essential to consider several factors, and answer several questions before proceeding. To ensure the best results (and protect your equipment), ask yourself these critical questions and we’ll provide answers to help you make an informed decision on if you can safely (and stylishly) install your TV above a fireplace!

Is the Temperature OK?

Each different kind of fireplace will give off a different amount of heat. One thing you can do before you can decide whether or not it’s even viable to mount your TV above a fireplace is to measure the maximum temperature reached at the lowest point where the TV would hang. Measure the heat on different days at different times over a long enough period to provide enough data for an average. Check your TV’s instructions (or have a quick Google search if you’ve lost them- we’ve all been there!) for the maximum temperature at which the TV should be stored/operated.

For appliances such as multi-fuel or solid fuel log burners, fireplace fans are great for deflecting some of the heat into the room. Relatively inexpensive (something like this on amazon will work) and are designed to increase the efficiency of a wood burner, the fan operates by circulating the warm air produced by the fire into the room, rather than allowing it to escape through the chimney or toward your TV above a fireplace!

Using an oak fireplace beam to help deflect the heat is a slightly more expensive, but a way more aesthetically pleasing method to restrict the heat exposure to a TV without looking out of place. The beam acts as a bit of a heat shield, preventing the heat from rising directly towards the television and instead directing it outwards into the room. For solid wood fireplace beams (or any other combustible material), a minimum clearance of approx 450mm is required¹.

Can Everyone See The TV?

Before you move ahead with mounting your TV above a fireplace, you need to make sure that this is a practical spot in terms of viewing. If this focal point looks great but means that everyone watching television has to crane their necks, lean back, or sit in an uncomfortable position, then the angle is simply not right for you to mount your TV above a fireplace.

So how high should the television be?! I hear you ask, well the guys over at MantelMount have written a handy guideline from their extensive experience.

A 55” TV should be around 61 inches from the floor to the center of the TV screen, a 65” TV should be around 65 inches from the floor to the center of the TV screen and a 70” TV should be around 67 inches from the floor to the center of the TV screen.

MantelMount

A lot of our fireplace suites are pretty low in height (or we can make them to be) which lends itself really well to mounting a TV above a fireplace.

Another solution to this problem could be choosing another spot (obviously). A more helpful solution would be if this simply has to be the spot for your TV, to choose a mounting device that allows the TV to move away from the wall and angle in different directions for comfortable viewing.

Fireplaces can often come with reflective surfaces (like polished granite) that can cause a glare on your TV screen. Consider the lighting in the room and how it affects your viewing experience. Anti-glare screens or strategic placement of lamps and curtains can help reduce unwanted reflections.

Can You Manage Cables Well?

Bad cable management can create an eyesore that you don’t want in your house, particularly not in such a focal point. If you have a wood-burning fireplace or a gas fireplace set into the wall of your home, having the cables run through the wall behind and underneath the TV may not be a possibility. This is probably the time to call in an electrician, installing a tv above a fireplace is pretty commonplace now, so the electrician is likely to have experienced projects similar previously.

As the average person will not have an understanding of the heat maximums that different kinds of cables will handle, and your qualified electrician will be able to advise if running the cables through the wall is viable, or if it would be better to get a cable cover (trunking) and run the cables over the wall.

Can I Set My TV on the Fireplace Shelf?

In my opinion, this is a hard no. Firstly- the average fireplace shelf is far too slim a base for a TV unless it is custom-built with this function in mind. Even if this is the case, there are other things to consider. Firstly, is the shelf high enough above your fireplace to make focusing on the TV comfortable? Yes, you’ll look from flames to screen every now and then, but having the TV too close to the fireplace could be very distracting for viewers. Secondly, there’s a weight issue, some modern TV’s are mega heavy and even with some extremely strong wall anchors, it just won’t take the weight.

Finally, the material that the shelf is made of, and the amount of heat that it retains are also big considerations. Too much heat = a malfunctioning TV with a short lifespan.

Will The Smoke from My Wood Burning Fireplace Be A Problem?

Even if your chimney works flawlessly, a small amount of smoke is still likely to escape into the room will float upwards: right into your TV, which really isn’t good for it. If you are dead set on having the TV mounted above your wood-burning stove, you should install a wide mantle or shelf under the TV to protect it from direct contact with smoke as well as heat.

Hanging your TV above a fireplace can work if you know how to work it!

Practical Advice

Consider A Media Wall

What is a media wall, you ask? In the 2010s, when flatscreen TVs became accessible to a wider range of people, the idea of a media wall started to evolve. Many homeowners began selecting a wall for both their TV and fireplace and building it out accordingly. Read more about media wall history and fashion in our article “Media Walls Fashion: A Trend to Stay or Fading Away?”. Essentially, the flat wall in question is added to by using a false chimney breast of wooden batons and layer of plasterboard, leaving a space between the original wall and the new drywall.

Both the television and the fireplace are then set into that plasterboard so that both are flush with the drywall rather than protruding out into the space of the room. You’ll need to know the dimensions of both the TV and the fireplace when constructing this wall so that you leave enough space for both and don’t need to go back in and cut more plasterboard out after construction is finished.

A media wall gives you the option to add other things. Need a space for your decoder/ cable box or speakers? Build these into the wall as well. All of the ugly cables that you would struggle to hide in a solid wall or struggle to guide running outside of a wall will be hidden and easily accessible.

Things have moved on a little in the world of Media Walls, instead of the costly and time consuming task of building a chimney breast, we offer a media wall which is pre-built in our workshop and sprayed to a colour of your choice, then delivered and installed by our dedicated team in a day!

Clermont Media Wall – Designer Fireplaces (psst, that’s us!)

Consider Weight Very Carefully

This is especially true if your TV is going to be mounted on plasterboard. Consider the weight of the TV against the maximum weight of whatever mounting device you’re using against the strength of the wall itself. Make sure you are using appropriate fixings too, Gripit are a great brand who have been vetted and tested and are sold in most hardware stores (or here on amazon).

A wider bracket that distributes weight across a wider piece of wall is the best choice. If you do not want to lose your TV and potentially a chunk of your plaster or wall, do all the necessary calculations as many times as you feel you need to.

Hire Professional Help

While DIY installation is often rewarding, hiring a professional to mount your TV above a fireplace can be well worth the cost, a registered professional will ensure safety and proper setup. Professionals have the tools and know how to handle awkward, or complex installations especially when dealing with masonry or stone fireplaces. An experienced professional will take care when installing cables and other accessories, opting for heat-resistant materials to prevent damage from the fireplace heat. A builder or handyman is also likely to have Public Liability Insurance which adds an extra layer of protection to the installation.

Long-Term Maintenance

Periodically check the TV setup to ensure everything remains secure. Heat and vibrations from the fireplace can sometimes loosen fittings over time so it’s important to check and tighten any loose screws, bolts and inspect the cables for signs of wear and tear.

Depending on the type fireplace you have, it could produce soot and dust which might settle on your TV and mount. Regular cleaning with appropriate electronics-safe cleaning materials can keep your tv above a fireplace looking pristine, in warranty, and functioning well.

Consider A Projector

If you’ve read all of the above and are still a little bit concerned about mounting your TV above a fireplace, you might want to consider an alternative to a physical TV: a projector! There are so many high-quality projector options at a variety of price points these days, from the kind you permanently mount on your ceiling to the kind you can take with you on a camping trip if you want.

You can project onto any clear, light-coloured wall, so if you leave the spot where the TV would go vacant, this gives you a perfect viewing space. This is great for families who don’t want a lot of TV (not enough to warrant a TV above a fireplace) but would like to have the option. It also gives you the option of using your projector wherever else you may need to, if it’s a portable one.

Integrating Smart Home Features

In today’s digital and ever changing world, integrating smart home features with your TV and fireplace setup can significantly improve your homes functionality and convenience. From controlling your TV with your voice to automating the temperature and lighting, utilising modern smart home technology allows you to create a truly convenient experience. Let’s explore how you can incorporate these modern innovations to make your TV above a fireplace setup not only more efficient but also more enjoyable.

Smart TV Integration

Incorporating a smart TV into your fireplace setup in my opinion is essential, most TV’s nowadays are smart TV’s to the point where it’s actually harder to find one which isn’t! But that’s a good thing, a really good thing, smart TVs offer a range of features out the box, from streaming on Netflix and Disney Plus, through to listening to YouTube whilst eating dinner (my favourite thing to do!)

When mounting a smart TV above a fireplace, make sure you check that your Wi-Fi signal is strong in that area to take full advantage of its capabilities. You may also consider using a Wi-Fi extender or Powerline Adapter if your router is far from the installation point.

Voice Control and Automation

Consider integrating voice control systems like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant with your TV above a fireplace setup. This will allow you to control the TV, adjust volume, and switch inputs hands-free, making your viewing experience more seamless and enjoyable. A lot of Media Wall Fires come with voice control out of the box now too, so when you want an atmosphere change, you can tell your fire to change colour too!

What a time to be alive!

So Can I Mount a TV Above a Fireplace? – The Verdict

You definitely can mount your TV above a fireplace! You just need to cover all your bases and think things through really carefully and in great detail before you proceed with a project that involves such expensive equipment and accessories. Your TV and Fireplace setup or media wall will be a great addition to your home and provide many hours of fun, comfort, and relaxation in front of a cosy, warm fireplace.

1. This often differs for each manufacturer so you must ensure you check your gas/electric/stove manual for guidance. ↩︎