TV wall mounting methods

There are several ways to place the TV, but the most convenient and practical is wall mounting. But there are several installation nuances: you need to decide which holder-bracket is suitable for the type and weight category of the equipment; and on which wall the device will be mounted so that the subsequently installed TV does not fall and brings convenience when viewing it. All flat screen TVs are equipped with stands that can be placed on a flat surface. But most flat panel owners prefer to hang them on the wall, as wall mounting has the following advantages:

• saving free space in the room (especially valuable for small areas);
• the bracket is cheaper than a TV stand / cabinet;
• the back surface of the TV, where all the connectors are located, is protected from the curiosity of children and animals;
• wall-mounted TV will fit into any interior;
• safety of operation – no extra wires or furniture that you can stumble on.

The correct location of sockets and a well-thought-out layout (you can, for example, build a niche during repairs) provide maximum comfort and safety for using the TV and hanging supports.

But this installation method also has disadvantages:

• the complexity of installation (if you do not have the appropriate skills);
• it will not work to quickly move the TV to another place, and you will have to cover up holes in the wall at the same attachment point;
• since there is no TV cabinet, there is a problem with storing additional equipment and accessories (for a game console, router, etc., you will have to think about the placement).

Where and at what height is it better to hang the TV on the wall?

First you need to determine the comfortable position and height of the screen on the wall. So that the eyes and neck do not get tired when watching TV for a long time, an imaginary horizontal line dividing the screen into two equal parts should be slightly above the line of sight. Be sure to consider in what position the viewing will take place. And it depends on the room:

• Living room. TV here is usually placed in front of the seating area – sofas and armchairs. In this case, the height depends on the design of the furniture. Viewing should be as comfortable as possible, so the level of a TV hanging on the wall is determined empirically, but on average for a living room it is 100-120 cm from the floor.
• Bedroom. In this room, TV is watched lying or half-sitting on the bed. Therefore, the TV should hang lower, usually it will be placed about 100 cm from the floor. To determine the most convenient point, take your favorite position on the bed, after hanging a picture or other object on the intended place for the TV. And gradually move it down / up, left / right until you find the most convenient location for you.
• Kitchen. In the case of this room, the approach is completely different. In the kitchen, we rarely pay attention to the image, more often just listening to what is happening on the screen. Yes, and there is usually little space. Therefore, the TV, as a rule, is hung closer to the ceiling. TV in the kitchen should not be placed near the oven, steamer and other appliances that are very hot and that emit steam. Also, the panel should not interfere with moving around the kitchen and opening cabinets.

If the bedroom is small, it is better to place the plasma panel higher so that it does not interfere with movement around the room, but in this case it is necessary to provide for the possibility of tilting it. This can be done using a special bracket.

As for the position of the screen relative to the viewer, the optimal distance for a plasma screen is 3-4 TV diagonals. This indicator minimizes eye strain. The minimum distances between the eyes of the viewer and the TV, depending on the diagonal of the TV, are given in the table:

If you plan to place the TV in a niche, then its size should be much larger than the size of the TV – so that air can circulate and the back surface is cooled. Since constant overheating leads to a reduction in service life.

Types and features of TV brackets

The viewing experience of the TV depends on the bracket used. Some TV models have a standard pendant design, but it does not always meet the requirements of the user. Therefore, you have to buy it yourself. Several basic types of supports are available.

Regardless of the type, the TV bracket should be selected according to the weight and diagonal of the TV itself. This is one of the most important parameters on which the safety of your equipment depends. The maximum load and the diagonal for which the holder is suitable is always indicated on its packaging.

Fixed

This design is rigid and immovable. It adheres to the wall more tightly than others and is as reliable as possible, since it does not contain moving parts. The TV will be 10-20 cm from the wall surface, and after hanging it can no longer be rotated or tilted slightly.

To make TV viewing as comfortable as possible, we recommend that you hang the TV at head height.

This type is made in two variations – in the form of a simple plate or a plate with two supports. And its positive aspects include:

• low price;
• safety;
• ease of installation.

The disadvantages include:

• lack of position adjustment;
• difficult access to TV connectors.

tilted

The bracket is similar to the previous view, but has a movable structure that can be tilted at a certain angle. For most models, the slope is no more than 20 degrees. The distance from the wall to the mount can be up to 15 cm.

With this bracket, you can change the angle of the TV, adjust it to the height of your eyes, thereby adding comfort when watching TV.

The advantages of this type include:

• affordable price;
• simple design;
• the ability to adjust the tilt of the TV.

The only point that can be attributed to the negative sides of the variety is that the TV does not turn to the sides.

Swivel/tilt-swivel

This model is unique in that it can be used to move, rotate or tilt the TV according to your preferences. The advantages of the bracket include:

• ease of use;
• the ability to fully customize the location of the TV to suit your needs (TB can be moved left and right, and change the angle of inclination);
• beautiful appearance.

In the case of this bracket, there are restrictions on the size and weight of the TV. Information about this can be seen in the documentation for a particular model.

The disadvantages include

• the high cost of the bracket;
• installation complexity.

Retractable bracket

In addition to changing the tilt and rotation of the screen, this bracket also allows you to change the distance of the TV from the wall. This is very useful when the TV is installed in the kitchen, in a very large room, or between adjoining rooms. The advantages include:

• maximum functionality;
• practicality;
• secure fastening.

The disadvantages include:

• high price (the most expensive type of all);
• bulkiness (you can’t do it in a small room, and there’s no need to).

Video that will help you decide on the choice of TV bracket:

The most common and popular type of brackets is fixed. Since few people need the ability to rotate the screen. Basically, such a need arises in the kitchen. It makes no sense to pay more for unnecessary options.

Bracket fixing tool

After purchasing the necessary bracket, prepare the tool for mounting it. This list includes the following:

• screwdriver (preferably with a ratchet) – to attach the TV to the bracket itself;
• puncher (for brick and concrete walls) or drill (for drywall);
• hammer – used for hammering pins;
• fasteners – bolts with pins and washers;
• a simple pencil, masking tape, building level.

The drill diameter must match the diameter of the pin used.

Maximum permissible load:

• standard pins 10×61 and self-tapping screws 6×80 withstand 15 kg;
• some types of mounts can support weights up to 28 kg.

Step-by-step instructions for hanging TV on the wall

Before starting work, make sure that there are no wires, pipes, etc. in the place where you are going to fix the bracket. If you are not aware of such subtleties, this can be done using a special detector. If everything is in order, determine the height at which the TV will hang, and then get to work. What you need to mount the TV on a purchased bracket:

• building level;
• simple pencil;
• roulette;
• drill;
• dowels;
• a hammer.

After unpacking the bracket, make sure all parts are as listed in the installation instructions. The set may not be complete. If screws / dowels / self-tapping screws / washers or other accessories are not enough – buy what you need.

General instructions for mounting the TV on the wall:

1. Attach the bracket plate to the wall and make marks for each hole. Make sure that the points on the wall are strictly parallel, even a slight misalignment can threaten to fall the TV.
2. Drill holes with a drill at the points marked earlier.
3. Drive the dowels into the holes with a hammer, and attach the bracket to the wall.
4. Install the counter plate on the back of the TV. It must be attached to the holes already on the rear panel. They usually have fasteners that need to be unscrewed and used during the installation process. If there is none, buy fasteners yourself, focusing on the size of the holes.
5. After installing the bracket, carefully hang the TV on the rails or lightly tighten the bolts (depending on which type of bracket you purchased).

Detailed video instruction:

Homemade TV brackets

To hang the TV on the wall, it is not necessary to buy a special bracket. Mounting can be done by hand. Let’s look at four of the easiest ways.

From furniture corners

If you do not need to change the angle of the TV, then you can make a fixed bracket from ordinary furniture corners. All you need for this:

• 6 mounting brackets with holes (2 for walls and 4 for TV);
• 2 appropriately sized bolts with washers and nut.

The instruction is as follows:

1. Attach the brackets to the TV where there are mounting holes.
2. Measure the distance between the top corners and attach the two corners to the wall with the same spacing.
3. Attach the bolts to the wall corners with the rod up, placing the washer under the nut. Then put the TV on these pins. At their expense, it will hold on, and the lower corners on the panel simply rest against the wall, fixing the TV in a certain position.

sliding supports

The method is based on the use of sliding supports for fixing the rafters. We will need:

• L-shaped plate;
• bolts and screws;
• sliding supports;
• beam.

Instructions for execution:

1. Straighten the L-shaped plate, drill a hole for the fastener in its upper part, and then attach it to the back of the TV.
2. Attach the mounting plates to the wall. You can fix them on a bar, then the TV will be slightly tilted down. And if the timber is sawn on one side (made with a bevel), you can arrange the desired angle of inclination.
3. Hang the panel with hooks on the grooves located on the wall.

The method is not suitable for all TV models. You need to measure the distance between the mounting holes in advance and see if these hinges fit them. In extreme cases, you can remove the housing cover and drill new holes in it.

pipe bracket

One of the most popular options for making a TV bracket on your own is to use metal profiles (pipes). For this method we need:

• pipe section 20×20 mm;
• thin-walled pipe section 15X15 mm;
• 2 bolts 8 mm;
• 4 nuts for 8 mm;
• a small amount of spray paint.

Instructions for performing work:

1. Cut out pieces of the required length from a square section pipe. The calculation is simple – 3-5 cm are added to the distance between the parallel holes in the upper and lower parts of the TV on each side. The part that is attached to the wall is done in the same way, but it is better to shift the holes a little and, accordingly, make the strips a little longer or shorter.
2. Screw the bolts into those sections of the pipe that are attached to the wall, securing them with nuts.
3. Fix the prepared parts on the wall and on the back of the TV.
4. Connect the parts by hanging the TV on the wall.

Video instruction for making a bracket from a pipe:

Rotating holder with loop

This is a very simple bracket with a loop on which thick plywood or board is screwed. Its big plus is that such a hold can be rotated. We will need:

• a piece of board / plywood;
• the simplest loop with a metal strip;
• self-tapping screws.

What needs to be done:

1. Drill holes in the plywood/board according to the hole pattern on the TV. And then connect it to the metal strip of the loop.
2. Drill the hinge to the wall.
3. Attach the TV to the board / plywood using self-tapping screws, screwing them into stationary holes.

Features of installing brackets on different walls

A wall made of each material has its own characteristics, which must be taken into account in any work, in particular, when wall-mounting a TV.

On concrete and full brick

Walls made of monolithic concrete and solid bricks are the most reliable basis for any materials and equipment. There are no special nuances when working with them. The holes in them are drilled with a puncher, and simple dowel-nails or anchor bolts are used as fasteners.

On drywall

Compared to concrete, brick and solid wood, loose materials such as drywall, plywood, etc. have a lower load bearing capacity. They are not able to withstand even 10 kg, provided that the bracket is fixed to ordinary self-tapping screws. To prevent the TV and stand from falling under their own weight, a special dowel “butterfly”, also known as “molly”, is needed. The principle of its operation is that it distributes the load over a large area, as a result of which the wall does not crumble and calmly holds the same 10, 20 kg or more. More about the work of “butterflies”:
Many users recommend buying all-metal molly dowels that can withstand weights up to 35 kg. Parts made of nylon or plastic are not sufficiently reliable and resistant to heavy loads. For TVs weighing up to 15 kg, crocodile dowels or Hartmut fasteners can be used as an alternative. If you need to hang your TV on a drywall wall that doesn’t have a base at the back, it’s best to find a mounting rail location and attach the bracket to it. You can also add wood paneling (MDF) or similar materials (boards, beams, etc.) to the structure.

Up a tree

It is one of the simplest and most undemanding materials for hanging any device, as long as the wood is thick enough and of good quality. The bracket is attached to a wooden wall with ordinary self-tapping screws, the size of which allows you to withstand the estimated weight of the TV.

For foam block and hollow brick

Such wall materials are not capable of withstanding loads of tens of kilograms without additional support, since they contain voids and cavities. To ensure reliable fastening of the bracket to the TV, it is necessary to use special dowels with an elongated expansion part and wide thread, or chemical anchors.

How to hang a TV on the wall without a bracket?

Some small flat screen TVs can be hung without additional accessories. To do this, there are special grooves on the back of the panel that are designed to mount the plasma by hanging it on bolts screwed into the wall. You just have to follow a few simple steps:

1. Measure the distance between the grooves and mark them on the wall.
2. Screw the bolts into the wall and hang the TV on them in the same way as a picture or a mirror.

The only difficulty that falls on your shoulders is the choice of bolts designed for the appropriate load. But this is not a problem either, since you can simply come to the store and tell the seller the weight that the bolts must withstand – they will pick up what you need. This method is the easiest, but not the most convenient. Since the monitor will fit very tightly against the wall, which will not allow you to change its position, place an outlet behind it and hide the wires. In addition, the process of ventilation of electronic mechanisms becomes more complicated (if there are no special holes).

Where is the best place to hide cables and wires?

When installing a TV on a wall, a very serious problem is hiding the wires. Cables hanging in free flight always look ugly and can spoil the overall interior. Also, the power cord extending to the outlet can be a danger to your own health and equipment. The cable can be accidentally pulled or tripped over, which subsequently threatens to at least damage the connectors. And if there are children and animals in the house, they can get an electric shock. It is recommended to tie all the wires into neat bundles and close them with panels, boxes, cable channels, moldings or hide them in chrome tubes. The choice of “case” depends on the style of your interior. This can be done even when the room is completely renovated.

In some cases, wires can be placed in the wall (by drilling strobes), but this method requires preliminary preparation (at the repair stage).

An example of hiding wires under a panel:
Another decorative method that can be done without damaging the repair is to fix the wires in several places on the wall, and disguise them as a tree or vine, fixing elements of artificial plants or decorative stickers on top.
You can also create an opening structure under the place where the TV will hang. In this case, it will be hung on the facade of a hidden cabinet with wires. You can also hide the router, set-top boxes and other necessary devices there if you make shelves.

Tips from professionals

We recommend that you read this section to ensure that your equipment lasts as long as possible. And you will also learn how to prevent the TV from falling off the wall, and keep your eyes healthy. When installing your TV, be sure to consider the following tips:

• Do not place the TV above a fireplace or other heating elements. Television devices are adversely affected by heat radiated from other devices, which can greatly reduce their lifespan. In the event of this breakdown, no one will return the money to you and will not provide warranty repairs, since this rule is clearly stated in the operating instructions for any modern TV.
• Do not connect the wires before the TV is securely fixed. Only after you have made sure that the TV is firmly attached to the wall, you can begin to connect all the wires and cables. If using a swivel bracket, you should also make sure you have enough wire so that the TV can swivel without any tension.
• Observe the ratio of the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room with the diagonal of the TV. Many people dream of a half-wall plasma, but few people think about how hard it will be on the eyes, given the standard sizes of rooms in our apartments. Be sure to take into account those parameters that are given in the table of the ratio of the size of the TV and its distance from the viewer. After all, if you buy a 120-inch TV, then you can watch it without harm to health only from 9 meters. Do you have such distances from wall to wall?

Modern flat-screen TVs are much more comfortable than large CRT “boxes”, which take up a lot of space and require installation on a bulky stand. An LCD monitor can simply be hung on the wall, where it will not take away valuable meters from the room at all. But the installation must be carried out reliably and in compliance with all the rules.