How to Mount Your TV on the Wall

If you have been wondering how to mount your TV on the wall, the experts from Selby Acoustics are here to help you find the right bracket and offer up tips for mounting your TV. Mounting your flat screen television to the wall is something that you can take on as a DIY project. We have step by step guidelines for you to help you get the job done on your own. You can give your living room or bedroom a much sleeker look by mounting your television on the wall. Not only do you get more room and a clutter-free look, you won’t have to spend extra on a tv stand or any other entertainment unit. As flat screens come down in price, they are becoming more popular. With wireless connections, your entertainment centre no longer needs that unit to store or hide devices, modems, cables, or wires.

What is the Right Bracket for Your TV?

The first step is finding the right bracket used for mounting your TV. There are several things to consider when selecting the right wall mount bracket:

  1. How big is your TV?
  2. How heavy is it?
  3. Where is it to be positioned? (i.e: Is it near a window or light source?)
  4. What function do you want from your television once it is mounted?
  5. Are there any manufacturer’s requirements for wall mounting? (i.e: recommended distance from the wall.)

Types of TV Brackets

Fixed or Slim TV Bracket Photo Credit: Selby.com.au

Tilting TV Bracket Photo Credit: Selby.com.au

Full Motion TV Bracket Photo Credit: Selby.com.au

Corner TV Bracket Photo Credit: Selby.com.au

  • Fixed or Slim TV Bracket: This is a low-profile, fixed bracket which essentially mounts your TV like a photo frame. There is usually no movement, but some models do allow for a small 5-degree forwards tilt.
  • Tilting TV Bracket: These brackets allow your TV to tilt up to 15 degrees. The obvious benefit is that you can adjust the screen for your viewing level. Other benefits include being able to tilt the screen away from the glare of a window and you can tilt the screen up if you need to plug in cables.
  • Full Motion TV Bracket: These brackets have an arm or arms, allowing you to extend the bracket away from the wall and swivel the TV to the left or right. Most full motion TV brackets also allow for tilting the screen up and down in addition to the arm movement.
  • Corner Brackets: Mounting a television in the corner is a popular option and the corner bracket is made just for this type of positioning. It usually will have a longer arm so that you have the mobility to get the right angle and positioning you need. Once you find the right position in a corner bracket mounted tv, it should be left that way. Do not move it around on a regular basis.

What Size TV Bracket Do I Need?

This is an important question to ask and get figured out before making your final purchase. You will need to figure out the size and weight of your TV and the distance between the mounting points on the back of your television. All TV brackets have specifications for size and weight. Using this information, you can then start finding models that will fit your TV and accommodate its size and weight.

5 Tips for Wall Mounting your TV

  1. Read the instructions: Each wall mount and TV are different. Do not think that this is a type of project you can get away with not reading the directions. The risk of dropping your flat screen television is too high to take chances.
  2. Don’t try to do it alone: You will need t a second person to help you position the mount, drill the holes, hold the level, and lift the TV onto the mount.
  3. What’s behind your wall? A stud finder isn’t enough to know what is behind your wall. Take into consideration cables and wires that might be present. Also be aware of the materials the wall is made of to ensure they are sturdy enough to hold the mount.
  4. Always use a level: Chances are your TV will be uneven if you do not use a level. It is a common mistake, so use a level to avoid having this problem that will bother you every time you watch TV.
  5. Don’t hang it too high: This is also very common mistake because you are standing when you are mounting the TV. Therefore, you should align the TV according to where you will be sitting to watch it. Also, be sure to adjust the height of the mount according to where the TV hangs when it is on it, not according to the mount itself

Summary

If after reading these how to tips you do not feel confident in mounting and hanging your flat screen television, then please do not do it. Hiring a professional to mount your television on the wall for you is less expensive than replacing a broken television. It is important to realise how heavy your television is and all of the steps and tools required for mounting it. Plan everything ahead of time to keep yourself and your television safe.