How To Wall Mount Your Flat Screen TV

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by: kellibrown
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Word Count: 590
Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 Time: 5:58 PM

Hanging a television from the wall looks neat and saves space. Here is our guide of factors to consider before installing a wall mounted television.

Bracket.
A wall mount is essential to hang your television. Only buy a wall mount from the experts; this is NOT where you save money, you need it to be strong. Some wall brackets can be tilted downwards so they are more comfortable to watch; you may want to consider one of these if you are hanging your TV higher than eye level when sitting down. But whichever type you choose, buy your wall bracket from a reputable dealer for peace of mind. Choose a mount which is capable of holding more than the weight of the television. It will give you extra leeway if a child leans on or hangs off the TV, or if something or someone knocks it.

Wires.
Think about where the TV wires are going to go. Wires can be cleverly disguised without making holes in your wall, such as by hiding them behind curtains or using a cabinet or other piece of furniture on the floor below the TV. This can be an unit to store your equipment such as DVD player and Sky/Freeview box in, and a vase or photoframe on the top can disguise trailing wires.

Hiding wires is perhaps the most difficult problem with wall-mounted TVs, but you have several options. But if you really want a neat and minimalist look, you have several options:

- Cover the wires with a prefabricated decorative covering. Boxing can be painted the same colour as the wall and is easier to self-install, but looks less neat than hiding the wires completely.

- Wires can be run up or down the walls (concealed with decorative covering or not), and then concealed behind skirting boards. This is not advised because it is fiddly, the wires will still be visible until they reach your skirting board, and their concealment can pose a threat if they are forgotten about and drilled or sawed through.

- If you consider your DIY skills to be reasonable, or are getting the experts in, you could conceal wires for your flat screen television inside the wall. This is by far the cleanest and most modern option. A modular wall plate can be drilled in behind the television, and at the end of their course near a power source, at the same time as when the mount being installed. Hollow walls are the easiest walls to drill through. Choosing an internal wall will also be easier than an external wall, which hide insulation and a larger number of other wires. Whichever wall you are installing your television on it is essential to check for existing wires first. Use a cable detector or ask your electrician.

Whichever method you are using make sure you buy wires which are long enough, and a little extra in case. Remember that the further HD wires have to travel, the lower the picture quality. Therefore, HD users may find it best to run wires neatly through the wall to a tidy modular wall plate (similar to a plug socket) at the base of the wall below the TV. Purchase your modular wall plates and tools beforehand so you are prepared. You will also need to enlist the help of someone strong to help you to lift your television once your wiring and mount are in place.

About the Author

Nexxia Audio Solutions are your one-stop-shop when installing a wall-mounted television. They sell modular wall plates for a neat cable solution and plasma TV mounting brackets, as well as satellite and freeview brackets.

Modular wall plates