How do I protect my TV above a gas fireplace?
The good news is that if you must keep your television above your fireplace, there are steps you can take to protect it.Install a Mantle or Projection Above Your Existing Fireplace. ... Close Your Fireplace Doors. ... Convert to a Gas Powered Fireplace. ... Use an Electric Fireplace. ... Consult a Professional Contractor.
How far from gas fireplace should TV be?
On-Stand TVs: Minimum Distance from Fireplace Fireplaces are designed to send heat outward into the room, so the area immediately near the fireplace must be kept clear of all electronics. Place a TV on a stand at least 36 inches from your fireplace. Do not place your TV in front of the fireplace if possible.
Why you shouldn't mount a TV over a fireplace?
Fire Heat and Smoke Can Harm a TV It is generally not safe to mount a TV over a wood-burning fireplace. That's due to both the high heat and smoke that wood fires create. Any heat and smoke not vented up the chimney will cascade over the front of the mantel and around your TV, damaging the electronics.
Is it a good idea to put TV above fireplace?
It's not advisable to mount a TV above a fireplace because excess heat and electronics don't mix. The area above the fireplace is often warmer than other wall surfaces in your home. Consider this: A gas fireplace can generate 20,000 to 35,000 British thermal units (BTUs) of heat per hour.
Can you have a media wall with a gas fire?
Thanks to the option of a gas or electric fireplace, you can have a media wall fireplace anywhere in your home – regardless of having a chimney or not.
How do I protect my TV from the fireplace?
If your fireplace doesn't have a fireplace mantel or a fireplace hood installed, then protecting your TV and other electronics hanging above your fireplace starts here. Installing a fireplace mantel or hood will help deflect the heat coming from a fireplace and help keep radiant heat from melting or damaging your TV.
Where do you put a TV in a living room with a fireplace?
As far as TV placement, you will want to mount your TV in the corner where your fireplace wall and a perpendicular wall meet. This, again, ties back to simplifying furniture arrangement by keeping key points of focus in closer proximity.
How big should your TV be above your fireplace?
The general rule of thumb is the tv should be about 2/3 of the width of whatever piece of furniture is anchoring it. So whether you're setting your TV on a console, hanging it above a credenza, or mounting it above the fireplace, you want “breathing room” on either side.
How much space should be between TV and mantle?
If the TV is placed too low, the mantel will appear cluttered and the fireplace will seem off-balance. To avoid this problem, allow 7 inches of clearance between the top of the mantel and the bottom of the flat-panel TV.
Can you put a TV next to a fireplace?
Place Your TV Next to the Fireplace: Many newer homes come with built-ins perfectly designed to house a TV so that it rests in balance with the fireplace and other surroundings. Even if you don't have a recessed space like a built-in, you can use the wall space near your fireplace in a similar fashion.
How high should a 65 inch TV be mounted above a fireplace?
So, if you're watching a 65-inch TV, you should sit around 97 inches away (65 x 1.5). Working backward, if your sitting is 9′, or 108”, from the fireplace, you should look for something in the 70” range (108/1.5).
How much space do you need between TV and electric fireplace?
Recommended Space Between the TV and Electric Fireplace In general, for most fireplace models, we advise 8 inches from the top of the fireplace to the mantel, TV or ceiling and 6 inches from the bottom of the fireplace to the floor.
What fireplaces can be installed under a TV?
Empire and Superior both make safe direct vent fireplace options to install under a TV. The Boulevard Linear Gas Fireplace by Empire is our most popular direct vent fireplace. It features a sleek design, matte black finish, and large ceramic glass front for optimal viewing and maximum heat output. The DRL4543 and DRL3000 by Superior are also hugely popular for their beautiful dancing flames, customizable heating controls, and convenient battery backup. Since direct vent fireplaces produce quite a bit of heat, you'll need to check the clearance requirements in the installation manual to determine your TV will be mounted a safe distance above the fireplace.
What is a fireplace mantel?
A fireplace mantel will block some of the heat rising up from your fireplace and help to keep your TV cooler. The Outdoor GreatRoom offers Supercast mantels that are made of non-combustible fiberglass-reinforced concrete. They’re much more durable than an average mantel and can absorb more heat than usual.
What is the difference between Dimplex and Modern Flames?
The Modern Flames Fullview Series uses energy-efficient LED flame technology to create a glowing fire with or without heat, while the Dimplex Opti-Myst Series uses ultrasonic technology to create a highly convincing flame effect. Some Opti-Myst models even crackle like a real fire with pulsating faux logs. Both series are completely safe and will look great below your TV. Woodland Direct offers fireplaces in each series—see the links below.
Can a TV be mounted above a fireplace?
Since direct vent fireplaces produce quite a bit of heat, you'll need to check the clearance requirements in the installation manual to determine your TV will be mounted a safe distance above the fireplace. The Majestic Jade Fireplace is another example of a direct vent fireplace that allows a TV to be hung above.
Is it safe to hang a TV with an electric fireplace?
This type of fireplace is the best scenario for hanging a TV because many electric fireplaces produce no heat at all. This makes them completely safe for the electronics in your TV.
Can you hang a TV over a wood burning fireplace?
Please note that Woodland Direct does not recommend hanging a TV over your wood-burning or gas fireplace, and we take no responsibility for any damage that may result from doing it.
Can you use a blower on a direct vent fireplace?
A fair amount of heat comes off the glass face of a direct vent fireplace, so you should consider investing in a blower to push the heat out and away from your TV. A blower is often offered as an accessory with a direct vent fireplace. In some cases, you can also add one as an after-market accessory.
What happens if you put a TV on a fireplace?
The angle of an LCD TV against the fireplace will strain your neck.
Do wood burning fireplaces need to be insulated?
Most wood burning fireplaces must meets basic residential building code is constructed to trap all the heat and smoke of a flames inside the flue– and are so well-insulated so that no smoke or heat should ever ruin your TV.
Is it safe to put a TV over a gas fireplace?
First off the heat and soot is minimal in wood burning and non-existent in gas fireplaces 24 inches over a firebox. Have you ever touched the top of your fireplace, was it warm? A flat panel or LCD TV, like a laptop or most electronics, will give off a certain amount of heat during normal working conditions, but a TV properly mounted over your gas fireplace, even wide-open, will not trigger the TV to become any hotter than normal. Gas fireplaces are always safe. Would burning fireplaces are a little different and must be treated that way. Most wood burning fireplaces must meets basic residential building code is constructed to trap all the heat and smoke of a flames inside the flue– and are so well-insulated so that no smoke or heat should ever ruin your TV. That being said if your friends go crazy stoking the fire and a flame is leaping out your firebox nothing’s safe.
Can you mount a TV above a fireplace?
When mounting a TV above a fireplace we recommend either a tilt mount or articulated mount. Articulated mounts tilt both on a Y and X axis– which means no glare or sore neck. While the use of tilt mounts are acceptable, the use of a reasonably priced, commercial grade full motion arm or “swivel” bracket to hold the flat screen will allow you to alter the angle and the axis of the flat screen for superior viewing.
Can I prewire a fireplace?
Prewiring or outlet relocation is a straightforward process in many cases. In other cases behind wall wire concealment while possible may not be economically feasible. If you have a more recent home, your fireplace is most likely already pre wired for electrical, HDMI and coax, and even if you do not have a prewired fireplace, the ability to become properly wired is possible be it at a higher cost than you might be willing to pay. There is also the option of wire tracking to conceal wiring. While not invisible it offers an attractive alternative to the more expensive option of hiring a electrician, drywall and painting crew. Then you still have to mount the tv afterwards. While many fireplaces can be post-wired, due to housing code and fireblocking many simply can’t be done without extensive work. As I mentioned earlier, anything is possible but are you willing to pay for it?
What happens when you mount a TV above a fireplace?
More issues that can happen when mounting a TV above a fireplace is unexpected wall damage, damage to the interior fireplace system in -wall, and the TV falling hazard.
Why is the front of my fireplace hot?
It makes sense that the front top of your fireplace would have very hot air escaping because of how fireplaces are made.
What is a fireplace shelf?
A well placed Fireplace Mantel or a Fireplace shelf can act as a buffer to help protect your heirlooms and TV from the heat radiating up from the front of your fireplace. It can offer only some protection though, to delicate electronics and the plastic casing around your television. The mantels and shelves work to both block ...
Why do you need a heat buffer for a fireplace?
Because the front top of your fireplace can produce a lot of heat you’ll need a heat buffer to send it out and not up toward your mounted TV. All heat generating fireplaces have the potential to melt not just your new flat screen TV but anything you add above your fireplace.
Why put electrical outlets on the other wall?
This is because it is just easier and safer to put the electrical outlets on the other walls. And until recently no one really needed electric outlets near their fireplace.
Can a fireplace be built on the same wall as a brick fireplace?
Your fireplace wall area may be constructed of the same building materials as the rest of your home. Or as often is the case for Masonry Brick Fireplaces, it may be a stand alone feature material. You must know what type of wall you are mounting your television to before you buy your mounting hardware.
Can you hang a TV above a fireplace?
For everyone, including those with Electric Fireplaces* one of the most important things you need to know is that your television’s warranty might exclude hanging the TV above your fireplace.
How much space does a fireplace mantel need?
There May Not be Enough Room For the TV. Fireplace mantels range from 50 to 60 inches tall. Sixty inches is 5 feet tall. Considering that most ceilings are 7-1/2 to 8 feet tall, this leaves barely 2-1/2 to 3 feet of vertical space for the TV—and that's if you don't mind the TV touching the mantel and the ceiling.
What is recessed niche TV?
Houses and apartments are often built with recessed niches intended for TV placement . These niches also have an electrical outlet, Ethernet cable, and cable TV jack. In our increasingly wireless world, your WiFi TV may be free of the limitations of cable TV jacks and Ethernet cables. Still, many people tend to prefer the reliability and faster speeds of the Ethernet connection. If your home has a recessed niche above the fireplace with all of the connections you desire, there is no reason why you cannot place a TV there.
How many BTUs does a wood fire put out?
Wood fires can put out as much as 60,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) and can reach temperatures high enough to ignite creosote in the flue and start chimney fires. Since heat rises, any heat not vented up the chimney cascades over the front of the mantel and upward. If the heat doesn't affect the TV, the smoke might.
Is a gas fireplace cooler than a gas fireplace?
Over time, home fireplaces have increasingly become cooler. Intensely hot wood fires are becoming a thing of the past, as more communities enact air-quality restrictions and fewer wood fireplaces are being built. Natural gas fireplaces with inserts, particularly ventless gas fireplaces, are considerably cooler. At the low end of the temperature scale are gel fireplaces, which put out less heat than both wood and natural gas fireplaces.
Can you tilt a fireplace screen downward?
If you like viewing your screen as close as possible, the angle imposed by the fireplace will detract from your viewing experience. While a full motion articulating wall mount can help to angle the screen downward, you are still forced to tip your head back to see the screen.
Can I put a TV in a niche above the fireplace?
In our increasingly wireless world, your WiFi TV may be free of the limitations of cable TV jacks and Ethernet cables. Still, many people tend to prefer the reliability and faster speeds of the Ethernet connection. If your home has a recessed niche above the fireplace with all of the connections you desire, there is no reason why you cannot place a TV there.
Can you run electrical wires in a fireplace?
Brick, natural stone, manufactured veneer stone, and similar solid masonry fireplaces afford no below-surface room to run wires. As a result, the wires would need to be run on top of the surface. By most electrical codes, NM electrical cable cannot be surface-mounted. The only code-compliant alternative would be to run wires through surface-level conduit, hardly an attractive feature for any fireplace.
Why can't I use a TV mount with a gas insert?
Why can I not use a tv mount with a gas insert or wood stove fireplace? Because the nature of those is to make a lot of heat… which can harm the delicate electronic components inside the television.
How is a fireplace surround held in place?
Whether you have a masonry or a prefabricated system, your fireplace surround/facing is likely held in place by mortar on your chimney/wall.
What is a fireplace facing?
A fireplace facing is the part of your hearth that belongs to the house’s interior, and the chimney stack is an exterior feature. It’s often difficult for many people to understand. Even within the chimney and fireplace industry, it is difficult to grasp without visualizing it.
Why do we use brick and mortar instead of TV mounts?
If you’re wondering why we’re talking about bricks and mortar instead of tv mounts, it’s because it’s extremely relevant to your home fireplace project. Whether you have a masonry or a prefabricated system, your fireplace surround/facing is likely held in place by mortar on your chimney/wall.
How much does a TV weigh?
Think about it. New tv models (under 65-inch) are fairly lightweight (50-65 lbs). The older flat panels typically weigh between 80-100 lbs. Add in the weight of the mount itself, which is usually over 30 lbs.
Why do we sit on the TV above the mantle?
Our reason for doing this is to avoid getting neck pain. Anyone who’s ever watched a whole movie from the front row of a movie theater can understand why this is important!
Can a projector be used above a fireplace?
If you have a plain fireplace wall (2×4 and sheetrock) above your fireplace where the brickwork stops above the opening and is regular drywall, consider the projector to shine directly on the wall and, once prepared with the paint, mimics a projector screen and produces a pretty nice image.
Why do you put a TV over a fireplace?
Increased Space in the Room: One of the top benefits of mounting a TV over a fireplace is that it saves space in the room because it eliminates the need for a TV stand or entertainment center. Just like mounting your television in a corner, this spot helps the room to feel larger and spacious, which is desirable for many people, ...
Can a wood fireplace make a film?
If it is a wood fireplace, smoke can also create a film over the surface of the TV screen, so it will need to be cleaned more frequently4. On the other hand, if you have your fireplace and wall backsplash is made from brick, there are ways to successfully position your TV.
Is it safe to put a fire in a TV?
Safety Concerns. As mentioned above, having flame or heat exposure for your TV can be a safety concern. To mitigate this potential issue, it is important to consult a professional to make sure that there is an adequate distance and heat break between the fireplace and the television.
How much heat does a gas fireplace generate?
Consider this: A gas fireplace can generate 20,000 to 35,000 British thermal units (BTUs) of heat per hour. To put that into perspective, it takes approximately 15,000 BTUs per hour to heat an entire 1,400 square foot house during a typical New England winter.
How much heat does an electric fireplace produce?
Some electric fireplaces are for ambiance only and they don’t produce any heat at all, while others produce a moderate amount of heat—less than 5,000 BTUs per hour. To be sure the wall above an electric fireplace is safe, perform the thermometer test (described below) to ensure that the wall doesn’t get too warm.
How hot should a TV be?
Then start the fireplace and let it run for several hours. Check the thermometer. If the temperature reaches or exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the location is too hot for your TV. If the temp remains below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the TV should be safe in that location— but you still might want to reconsider, for the reasons explained below.
What is the best angle to watch a TV?
The same effect can occur if you’re watching a TV that’s mounted above a fireplace. The most comfortable angle for viewing a television is when the bottom third of the TV is at eye level.
How to hang a large TV?
Think creatively when figuring out a spot for a large screen TV. 1 If you have a window that’s wider than your TV, considering hanging the TV in front of the window. Lined curtains can create a backdrop and block light from the street from entering the window. 2 Surround the TV with shelving to create an “entertainment center” look. Install cabinets below (providing a spot for the TV to sit) and build shelves above and alongside the TV to help integrate it into the overall look of your room.
Does a fireplace blower deflect heat?
Heat rises, and even a fireplace with a blower that directs hot air toward the center of the room will still allow some heat to escape upward. Still, a number of factors come into play. The farther the fireplace mantle extends into the room, the more it will deflect heat from the above wall (and TV mounted there).
