TV Wall Mount Basics and Installation
Televisions aren't what they used to be. Just a few decades ago, TVs were massive, cumbersome devices with knobs, dials and grainy screens the size of shoeboxes. Now, they come in a myriad of brands, shapes and sizes, with sleek widescreen flat-panel designs. With these smaller designs comes the ability to get creative with where you place your TV. For many modern HD, plasma or LCD-display models, more and more television owners are wall-mounting their TVs.
There are plenty of great reasons for choosing to mount your television on the wall. It's aesthetically pleasing and can make your TV an element of design as well as a source of entertainment. With a wall mount, you can view your TV more easily from your bed or couch without needing a big stand or entertainment center, and it frees up floor space you could be using for other things.
If you're buying a new TV, many retailers will offer deals on wall mount instillation. There are also plenty of independent locations that will provide this service. If you already own a flat-panel TV or you don't want to deal with the hassle or cost of hiring a professional, however, mounting your own TV can be a simple do-it-yourself job with the right tools and a friend to help.
Choosing the Right Wall Mount
The first step in the process of mounting your TV to the wall is of course choosing which style of mount is right for you. There are a variety of choices in wall mounts, all ranging in function and price.
1. Fixed TV Wall Mounts
These are the most basic and cost-effective wall mounts available. Fixed mounts simply attach to the wall and the back of your TV, holding it firmly in place. You can't move or re-angle your TV without moving the entire mount, so fixed mounts work best if you're mounting in your bedroom or where you'll only have one or two designated areas from which to watch TV. Fixed wall mounts run for as low as $30 and seldom cost over $100.
2. Tilt TV Wall Mounts
Tilt mounts offer a bit more flexibility than their fixed counterparts. The TV is still in a fixed height on the wall and cannot be moved vertically or horizontally, but these mounts feature joints that allow you to tilt the angle of your screen. This will help you combat glare or adjust your TV for different viewing heights, and they also make it easier to string wires and components behind the television during the instillation process. Tilt mounts are usually in about the same price range as fixed mounts.
3. Swivel TV Wall Mounts
These offer even more freedom than tilt mounts. You can tilt the angle and also swivel the screen left or right, making them a great choice if you will be watching TV from different spots in the room. Swivel mounts tend to be a step up in price, starting at around $40 to $50.
4. Articulating TV Wall Mounts
Articulating mounts take the range of motion one step further and allow you to tilt your TV while the mount is in the extended left-or-right swivel position, giving you a great range of motion and opening up even more angles from which to view your TV. These can cost $75 to $100, with top line models going for a few hundred dollars.
5. Full Motion TV Wall Mounts
As their name implies, full motion mounts offer the maximum amount of movement. They can lie flat to the wall, swivel, tilt, extend and pivot 180 degrees to the left or right, giving viewers the perfect viewing angle from any position in the room. With optimum function comes a steeper price tag: these mounts can cost upwards of a few hundred dollars, with lower-end models pricing around $80-$150.
Mounting the TV
Now that you've decided which mount type is best for you, it is time to actually mount your TV. This process can be broken down into five easy steps:
1. Decide where you'll route your wire and measure for your TV
You'll need to check if all your component wiring will reach your TV before you commit to a spot. Make sure your power cord, cable wiring, accessories and other wiring will be able to reach the TV and all their necessary components from where you are mounting your television. Also, use tape measure to make sure your TV will fit physically and that it is at the right viewing height. For fixed mounts, the center of your TV should ideally be at eye level from where you will be viewing. This is less important for other types of mounts where you will be able to adjust your TV later.
2. Attach the TV end of your mount to the back of your TV
Modern TV sets will have holes or grooves for attaching wall mounts. Be sure you use the same sized spacers and the same leveled holes on each side of the TV when attaching your mount so that it will sit on the wall evenly. Also be sure that everything is tight and secure.
3. Attach the wall end of the mount in place
Use a good quality stud finder to make sure you are drilling into the center of a stud for durability and support, and use a level to ensure that it is straight on the wall.
4. Route the wire from the components to the TV
There are a number of solutions for wiring your wall-mounted TV. You could simply tangle them and tack them to the wall, or you may cover them with Wiretracks or other commercially available wire-concealing solutions. If you are comfortable with drilling and have in-wall wiring available, however, you might be interested in drilling through the wall and routing your wires through that way for a clean, professional look. Regardless of what method you choose, it's easiest to get your wiring in place now before actually hanging the TV, especially if you are using a mount that can't extend from the wall.
5. Hang the TV on the wall
This is a two-person job, so make sure you have a friend or family member helping you. Lift the TV from both sides and carefully connect the two ends of the mount. With most models, the mount should snap easily and securely into place without additional screwing.
Solutions for Your Cables, Components, and Add-ons
Now that your TV is hanging on the wall, you'll need to figure out what to do with your cable box, DVD player, gaming systems or anything else you'll plug into your TV. You could place them on a table underneath the TV, creating a sort of minimalist entertainment system. You could also hang them from the wall as well, using commercial wall-mounted shelving systems designed for this purpose. This looks great, especially if you are running your wires through the wall, and it frees up space under the television set for other purposes. You could even route the wires from another room, like a nearby closet, and control everything with an adapter or remote.
However you choose to set up your components, enjoy your wall-mounted TV.