Guide to Mounting Your Flat Screen TV
In the old days, it was easy. When your grandparents bought a TV, it came with its own little Mid-Century Modern stand. They could even roll the whole deal from one spot to another if they chose. But nowadays, televisions are no longer just a piece of furniture. No, plasma, LED, and LCD TVs are huge
Posted — UpdatedAnother problem with mounting your flat screen TV above your fireplace mantel is height. The television will simply be too high for you and your family or guests to watch without straining your necks uncomfortably -- unless you sit 20 feet or so away. So much for a cozy movie night! However, you'll be relieved to know that there is a simple formula for calculating how high to hang the TV. Your eye level while you are comfortably seated in your favorite TV-viewing chair = the ideal height for the lower one-third to halfway point of your screen.
Although your flat screen is slim and trim compared to the televisions of the past century, it can still pack a surprising amount of weight. A 65" LED or LCD set averages 57 and a half pounds; the same size plasma TV weighs in at a hefty 81.4 lbs.! If you are planning a wall mount, check with the manufacturer to make sure you buy brackets that are suitable for your screen weight and size. Don't try to save a few bucks here either -- shell out for good-quality brackets. Firmly anchor the mounting screws ... not just into the drywall or plaster but also into the actual wall studs for safety.