How to Mount a Flat Screen TV

So you have just dropped a couple thousand dollars on a sexy new flat panel TV, now it’s time to complete the job by taking advantage of it.  When mounting a flat panel TV, be sure you have:

• Stud Finder
• Measuring Tape
• Power Drill
• Screwdriver
• Level
• Pencil
• The Bracket

1) Selecting the right Mounting Bracket:

Most flat screen TVs do not come with a mounting bracket.  Depending on the size of your TV, these brackets can run you for around $50-$500.  If you are shopping for a TV and would like it to be mounted, be sure to keep the extra cost of the mount in mind.  If you already purchased a TV, check the manual to see which types of brackets are compatable with your specific TV.  Most flat screens will fit in a wide variety of mounts, but certain TVs require specific types of mounts.

Check your owner’s manual or TV box for the words VESA Compatible. VESA stands for Video Electrionics Standards Association, and is the organization that formulates standards for flat-screen mounting brackets (among other things). “VESA” will be followed by a number or combination of numbers that will indicate what type of VESA standard your TV is set up for (i.e VESA 50/75/100). Make sure to get a mounting bracket that matches the exact number on your TV!

Also, be sure to keep an eye out for how much weight the bracket can hold (and know how much your TV weighs)

Types of Wall Mounts:

• Flat: the cheapest, most common, and least versatile.  This mount makes the TV look like a picture hanging on the wall (see above picture)
• Tilting: these mounts allow the TV to be tilted up or down about 15-20 degrees.  This is the best type of mount for a TV that is higher up on the wall, and makes the TV stick out a few inches
• Articulating: the most versatile of the mounts.  They allow the consumer to tilt, rotate, or swivel their TV to their liking

2) Find the Studs:

It is vital to find the studs in the wall and drill directly into them to ensure that the mount (and TV) will be safe and secure hanging on the wall.  A stud is a piece of wood that serves as the interior fram of the wall.  Because they are so solid and sturdy, they are the perfect candidate to trust when it comes to putting your TVs life on the line.

• Run the stud finder over the wall until you see a light or beep (or both), indicating the location of the stud
• Mark an “X” with a pencil to remember exactly where each stud is, which is where you will drill your holes
• As a general rule, for an LCD (they are lighter) use at least 1 stud, and at least 2 studs for a plasma

3) Attatching the Mount:

After you have decided on a good location and height for the TV, it is time to install the mount.  In most cases, there are two parts to a wall mount – one that attaches to the TV and one that attaches to the wall.

TV Mount:

• The TV portion of the mounting bracket usually consists of two vertical rails that are attached to the back of the display
• The place where the rails attach to the TV are often covered up by plastic caps, so you’ll have to find them and remove the caps before you attach the rails
• If you’re going to lay the TV face down while you attach the rails, make sure that it is laying on a soft surface – otherwise you can damage your TV
• Most mounting brackets will come with special screws and washers that you can use to attach the rails to the television (using your screwdriver)

Wall Mount:

• Hold the wall mount flush against the wall at the height (and in the location) that you want the television to be
• Move the wall mount horizontally until its holes are positioned over the wall studs that you’ve previously identified. If you’re only going to be using one stud, make sure that it falls in the center of the mounting bracket
• Take your Level, and hold it up against the mounting bracket to make sure that it is perfectly level
• Use a pencil to make a clear mark in the spots where you will be drilling your holes
• Take your drill and make small pilot holes on the marks where you want your anchoring bolts to go
• Secure the mounting bracket by screwing the bolts into place with a wrench or screwdriver
• Test the mounting bracket to make sure that it is securely fastened and that it doesn’t wiggle either way

4) Mount the TV:

Now that everything is in place, it is time to attach the TV to the mount on the wall.  This may seem pretty straightforward, but keep these things in mind:

• Flat screen televisions are often heavy (depending on the size) and can be tough to lift on your own. It’s always smart to get someone to help you lift the TV and attach it to the wall mount – especially if you need to help guide the rails onto the mounting bracket
• It’s usually a good idea to attach all of the cables on the TV beforehand – that way you won’t have to poke around the back of the TV blindly after it’s already attached to the wall
• A lot of people cover up the cords with wood, which is then painted the color of the wall.  Some also feed the cords through the back of the wall, which can be quite difficult and time consuming
• Make sure that any safety locks or tabs on the mounting bracket are fully secure and functioning
• If you’re using a Tilting or Articulating wall mount, you can go ahead and adjust it further to the correct viewing angle
• If you are uneasy about setting the TV up yourself, it might be a good idea to have it professionally installed