WHAT IT TAKES
Time: 1 hour
Skill level: Beginner
Mounting a flat-panel TV on the wall is one of those jobs where a little know-how can save you a lot of money. Professional installation costs anywhere from $150 to $350—plus the cost of the mount itself. But if you can handle some precise measuring and drive a few screws, you can do a first-class job yourself in about an hour. We’ll show you how. Plus, we’ll sift through the confusing variety of mounts and help you choose the version that’s best for your situation.
Don’t get overwhelmed by all the wall-mount makes and models. They’re all just variations of three basic styles. The three styles differ mainly in how much they allow you to adjust the position of the screen. Adjustments can eliminate glare and increase viewing comfort in other ways too. But adjustability is most important for picture quality. Like a computer screen, the picture on a TV screen is clearest when viewed straight on. So a mount that offers more adjustability gives you a clearer picture in more situations and may even increase your options for where you can place the TV.
Most flat TVs are designed for wall mounting, but make absolutely sure yours is before you shop for a mount. Look for “VESA” (Video Electronics Standards Association) on the manual or the TV itself, followed by a number such as “VESA 75.” Any mount with the same VESA number will work with your TV. Also consider wiring before you choose a mount. If you plan to run wiring inside your walls, the mount design may determine how and where you can install an outlet and cable connections.
The most common mistake people make when picking a spot for a TV is placing it too high. Looking up at the screen can give you a sore neck and a murky picture (especially if the TV mount doesn’t tilt). Some experts recommend centering the screen at eye level (when you’re seated). Others say a bit lower is better, so eye level is centered on the top two-thirds of the TV (that’s where most of the on-screen action is).
But there is no “correct” height. A lot depends on the size of the TV and the room. A big TV in a big room can be mounted higher on the wall because the upward viewing angle is decreased when you sit farther from the TV. So the best way to choose the mounting height is with a test drive. This is a three-person job—two to hold the TV and a third to judge the height. Simply get in viewing position and look at the screen in different positions on the wall.
Once you’ve found the right spot, mark the TV’s location on the wall with masking tape (Photo 1). Then set the TV aside and add more tape to mark the bottom edge of the TV on the wall. The tape has to be perfectly level, so use a level to position it. Also locate the centers of the wall studs using an electronic stud finder (the centers of studs provide maximum holding power). If you have concrete, brick or block walls, you can drive screws anywhere. Check the instructions for anchor recommendations.
Most wall plates let you slide the TV left or right a few inches, so the plate doesn’t have to be perfectly centered where the TV will hang. But positioning the plate at the right height can be tricky. Lots of people end up installing it two or even three times before they get it right. Here’s how to avoid wasted time and a wall full of screw holes:
First, screw the brackets to the TV following the instructions. The screw holes in the back of the TV may be hidden by plastic plugs. Just pry them off. Then hang the wall plate on the brackets so the complete mount is attached to the TV. Prop the TV against the wall and measure the distance from the bottom of the TV to the center of each row of mounting holes on the back plate. On the wall, measure the same distances up from the tape and make marks at the stud locations. Check the marks with a level to make sure they’re perfectly level (horizontally). Then follow Photo 2.
Drill holes at the marks. The holes should be about 1/8 in. smaller than the lag screws. If the manufacturer didn’t include lag screws, check the instructions and pick up the recommended size at a hardware store or home center. Then just screw the plate to the wall using a ratchet wrench and socket.
Mounts are available at electronics stores, home centers, discount stores and online (search for “TV mount”).
Low-profile mounts ($25 to $150) hold the TV close to the wall. That creates less of an obstacle along traffic paths and reduces the risk of TV damage or bruises. The downside of these mounts is that they don’t allow tilting or other adjustments. So if you plan to hang your TV far above eye level, a low-profile mount isn’t the best choice. The pricier mounts hold the TV just 1/2 in. from the wall—the less expensive models about 1-1/2 in.
Tilting mounts ($50 to $200) let you mount the TV above eye level or tweak the angle to suit the situation—something you may want to do if you’re watching TV from the floor one day and the sofa the next. The higher-priced models are easier to adjust and can be set at any angle. Lower-priced models offer a few preset angles and are a bit harder to adjust. That’s no problem if you rarely change the angle, but a nuisance if you make frequent adjustments.
Full-motion mounts ($100 to $500) allow you to tilt, swivel, pan and extend the TV. That means you can pull the TV away from the wall and turn it to the left or right, to face the viewer. Full-motion mounts can mount on the wall or in a recessed box as shown. The mount’s arm folds into the box, bringing the TV as close to the wall as a low-profile mount would. The box also provides a neat exit point for in-wall wiring.
It takes three people to position a TV. When you’ve found the right spot, mark one corner with masking tape. Set the TV aside and add tape to mark the bottom edge and the other corner.
Mount the wall plate on the brackets. Measure from the right edge of the TV to the bracket. Transfer the measurement to the wall. Then find the nearest stud and drill.
• To run electric lines inside walls, search for “fish wire.”
• For tips on hiding speaker cable and other low-voltage lines, search for “hide wire.”
• To run electric lines on walls or ceilings, search for “surface wiring.”
• To install a whole-house sound system, search for “audio.”
