These days plasma, LCD and LED sets are popular for their picture quality, slim designs and the options you have to fit them into your room with ease. You can mount a flat-screen TV almost anywhere if you’ve got the right connectivity, components and power.
Use the guide below to learn helpful tips on mounting your flat-screen TV.
Before you start
Probably the first thing that you need to know is that if you’re going to mount a flat-screen TV, you need some extra pairs of hands. Sure, small ones can be easily handled by one person, but anything around 50 inches or more must be handled by two people.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you must take extra precautions not to damage the display panel. Even the tiniest bit of pressure or unwanted flexing can cause harm beyond repair.
When lifting and carrying your TV, it’s best to let the chassis handle the work of supporting the display. Always lift from the bottom and keep the display upright. When you want to lay it down flat, do so screen-side down on a clean and large enough flat surface covered with a blanket.
You can make your TV the focal point of your room as long as you’ve got the components to do so without having extra cables hanging down the walls.
Cable management tracks are self-adhesive paintable strips which stick to the walls to hide power and signal cables, keeping them all from sight. You’ll need to do this if you don’t have a power point directly behind where you’re going to position the set, as it gives a professional finish.
Look for specially designed surge protectors that are slim enough to fit behind the TV too.
Placement
When choosing where to put your TV, you need to consider where you’ll be sitting when you’re watching it. Will it be an armchair, a comfortable couch, or a small sofa with coffee table?
Figure the right spot and whether it has access to the required power outlets and any other connections.
One quick tip, though–for the best viewing, the centre of the screen should be about eye level, so sit where you would normally sit and practice before you begin! If the TV doesn’t look right, the next best position is with the bottom of the screen at eye level.
Just take your time to get it right.
Mounting
First, you must get the proper TV mount. Wall mounts are available in a whole range of shapes and styles. Opt for a style that minimises the glare from windows and lights with a vertical tilt.
You must also consider the size bracket of your display.
Slim mounts keep the TV as close to the wall as possible. You may want to consider a swivel or extending mount for the bedroom. If you’re mounting the TV in your kitchen, choose an under-cabinet mount that folds the screen up when it’s not in use.
Remember to get mounts that will fully support the weight of your TV.
When you’re ready to begin, your first job is to find the studs. You can do so with a cheap and simple stud finder. Use a pencil to mark the location on the wall.
The next step is to mark where you plan to screw into the wall specifically. You must use a level so that the marks are not only even but also that the mount won’t be slanted. Once again, you can use a pencil to mark the specific pilot holes’ location.
Once that is done, next is positioning the mounting bracket. Again, you must use a level to ensure proper alignment. Drill pilot holes through the wall and into the studs.
Next, it’s time to mount the wall bracket. Use the proper mounting screws to secure it. Ensure they’re tight enough so there’s no wiggling, but don’t overtight.
The final steps are to attach the mounting plate to your TV and then to the wall bracket. Lastly, you can reconnect your flat-screen TV to the power, as well as any other devices too.
Congratulations, that’s it! Grab a cold one from your portable mini fridge and enjoy a game or your favourite episode of Succession!
If you’re unsure about your skills or whether you got the right mount that can support your flat-screen TV, it’s best to leave the installation to a licensed handyman.
He will aid you in first finding the best viewing spot, and then he will ensure a correct mounting installation. That way, you will never have to wonder whether your TV will come tumbling down, costing you a fortune.
Last but not least, a professional will do proper cable management and make it so that all those wires are concealed instead of them being an eye sore.
Connectivity
Ensure you can connect your TV to all your other boxes and devices, like your console or TV box.
For maximum connectivity, switch between an HMDI switcher or an A/V receiver. These methods are ideal because they allow you to select the source you want to watch. They’ll give you the flexibility to add additional components as you want.
Set up the sound
You need to establish how the audio is going to work for maximum impact. Consider the connections you’ve got to incorporate surround sound and plan where the channel speakers will go.
Without a great sound when you’re watching a movie or playing video games, you’ll lose a vital part of the whole experience!
Conclusion
Mounting a flat-screen TV to the wall is one of the great ways to modernise your home without breaking the bank. It is not even so difficult and can be done easily on your own.
We hope this guide has helped you successfully set everything up safely the way you want. However, if you aren’t feeling confident enough to install a wall mount, there’s no shame in calling a professional handyman to help with that task and ensure everything is set up correctly.
