Wall mounting a TV saves space, but it isn't as easy as just placing it on a stand, cabinet, or in an entertainment center. There is more to take into consideration than just placing the TV on the wall and starting watching. Check out what you need to know. 

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TV Placement

Before wall-mounting a TV, care must be taken to find the right spot. 

Don't place the TV too high. This will cause neck strain over time as well as causing color and contrast fading when viewing at an upward angle. The TV should be mounted so that the center of the screen is at eye level. 

When finding a spot for wall-mounting your TV, consider room light reflections. Since you won't be able to move the TV after it is wall-mounted, make sure that light from windows and lamps will not cause unwanted reflections on the TV screen. If that's not possible, get some drapes or blinds to block light from the outside and that you can move or turn off offending lamps. 

If mounting over a fireplace, consider how warm the inside chimney wall gets when the fireplace is in use. Regardless if you using a TV at the same time as the fireplace, if the wall gets too warm, it will affect the TV's life regardless if the TV is on or off. 

Make sure you have the cables and wires you need. You don't want to let the aesthetic of having a TV on the wall ruined by cable clutter from the TV to the power outlet and the rest of your components. The best solution for most TVs is to run your cables through the wall from the components to the TV. There are a few hi-end TVs that provide a single cable that can be painted or a wireless connection of component cables from the TV to other compatible devices. However, you still have to deal with the TV's power cable. 

If you have a smart TV, make sure the wall mount spot has good Wi-Fi reception or is close enough to your router that you can connect an Ethernet cable. If you don't have good Wi-Fi reception and it is not practical to use an Ethernet Cable consider purchasing a Wi-Fi Extender for your TV.

TYPES OF WALL MOUNTS

There are several types of TV wall mounts. The most common are:

Fixed Mounts: If mounting on a plain wall (no fireplace or other protrusions present) and you are going to sit directly in front or just slightly to the side (the farther you sit to the side the more color and contrast fading you will see).

Tilt Mounts: If you can’t mount the TV so that the center of the screen is at eye level and you need to mount it slightly higher, a tilt mount may be the solution so you can angle the TV to your eye level when you look up slightly. 

Full Motion Mounts (Manual and Motorized): If you need more flexibility in angling the TV to accommodate varied seating positions, avoiding reflections, or watching from either a standing or sitting position. A full-Motion wall mount allows pull-out, tilt (down/side-to-side) direction and may be available for manual or motorized operation. Some motorized mounts may come with remote control, may also be integrated with a home theater system control system, or may be able to be used with a voice control app, such as Alexa or Google Assistant.

Fireplace Mounts: A fireplace mount is a type of manual or motorized full-motion mount that allows the TV to also be pulled out and down for a more direct viewing angle if the fireplace mantel is higher than eye level. 

Before installing a Fireplace Mount, take note of the following: 

• Wall Temperature — Check the temperature of the wall between the mantel and the ceiling when the fireplace is in use. Internal TV components and circuitry are affected negatively by high temperatures. Even if the wall above the mantel is well insulated from fireplace heat, don’t use the TV when the fireplace is in use.

• Mantel Width — The mantel needs to be wide enough so that the TV and wall mount assembly does not overhang the top of the mantel.

• Distance from Mantel to Ceiling — Before you buy your TV, measure the space between the top of the mantel to the ceiling. 

• Height of TV — Make sure the TV will fit within the space between the top of the mantel and the ceiling.

• Weight of TV — Make sure the amount you purchase will support the TV's weight. 

Ceiling Mounts: Ceiling mounts are mostly used in business/commercial settings such as retail displays and waiting rooms (such as a doctor's or dentist’s office). However, it can be used in a home setting, such as in a bedroom or kitchen. Make sure that your ceiling a spot that can support the weight of the TV you want to mount. Also, if the ceiling mount doesn't bring the TV down far enough so that the center of the screen isn't at eye level from a sitting or lying position (for bedroom settings), get one that has a tilting option.

TV Wall Mounts Pictured Below (Left to Right): Fixed, Tilt, Full Motion, Fireplace, Ceiling. Image Credits: Echo Gear, Mounting Dream, Mantel Mount, Monoprice.

Tools You Might Need To Wall-Mount Your TV

The tools typically need to wall mount a TV include:

• Power Drill and Bits (more than one type may be needed, but make sure Phillips-head bits are included).

• Pencil and/or Painter's Tape to mark Drill Holes.

• Level (You can also use your smartphone as a level via an iOS or Android App). 

• Tape Measure

• Stud finder

• Socket Wrench with the needed heads. 

• Check the TV mount user guide for the type and size of screws, nuts, and any washers included or needed. 

• White Gloves – Before picking up your TV to mount it put on a pair of white gloves to prevent unwanted smudges on the screen surface.

Don't use drywall or hollow wall anchors. They won't be able to support the TV's weight in most cases. 

Note: If you are unsure about selecting the wall mount option that is best for you and installing it yourself, have a professional install it for you. It will be a wise investment. 

TV Wall Mounting Steps

Once you have assembled the needed tools, follow the instructions for your specific wall mount and TV. Here is an overview of the basic steps required for most wall-mount installations. 

1. Choose a wall-mount. Make sure the mounting slots on the mount matches the mounting slots on the back of the TV. These are referred to as VESA slots/holes. Refer to the example shown on the TV above. If you are not sure where these are located on the back of your TV, refer to your set’s user or installation guide.

2. Choose a location for your TV. 

3. Find the wall studs.

Tip: If mounting a TV to a wall made of brick, you won’t need to find studs. Instead, use masonry anchors when fastening the mount to the wall.

4. Use a level (preferably one that also has a ruler built-in) to mark the holes where screws from the mount will be inserted into your wall.

5. If the TV is going to be very close to the wall, make sure you have connected the cables and wires to the TV first before securing it to the wall mount.

Optional: If you are going to run wires or cables through the wall from near the baseboard to behind the TV, mark those spots also and proceed to install cable/wire wall plates (aka cable management boxes). These are similar to a power outlet plate. Insert the cables and wires through the bottom wall plate and out the top wall plate behind where the TV is to be placed so they will be ready to connect. 

If you don't want to go through the wall, you can also secure a cord channel tube between your power outlet components and run your cables/wires through that - you can then paint the tube to match your wall color. Although not as invisible as going through the wall, it is less of a hassle. 

6. Attach the mount to the wall.

7. Attach the mounting bracket to the back of the TV. 

8. Mount the TV with the mounting bracket to the wall mount. 

Tip: Mounting a TV is best done with two people, especially if it's 40-inches or larger. For TVs 55-inches and larger, you might also want to have a third person as a spotter to make sure the persons physically handling the TV are clear of any obstructions (such as wires) that will hamper the movement of lifting and mounting the TV.

Wall Mounting a Curved Screen TV

Due to their thinness, flat-panel TVs are great candidates for wall-mounting, but be cautious if considering wall-mounting a curved screen TV. 

If the curved screen TV is an older first-generation LG or Samsung model they may not have wall mounting provisions. Although the later models for LG, Samsung, and other brands can be wall-mounted. 

There are wall mounts designed for curved-screen TVs, but wall-mounted curved screen TVs don't look quite right. The reason is that one of the objectives of wall-mounting a TV is to make it almost flush with the wall. However, with a curved screen TV, the curved sides stick out. If you are considering wall-mounting a curved screen TV you own or want to wall mount one that you want to buy, see how it looks wall-mounted at a local store to make sure it will fit with your room environment.

Additional TV Mounting/Placement Tips

Even if you aren't planning to mount your TV on a wall, the wall can still play an important part in securing your TV. 

Today's large-screen flat-panel TVs should be secured even if they are being placed on a stand, cabinet, or entertainment center. The reason is the danger of tripping or falling if bumped or as a result of an earthquake and cause serious injury, especially for small children and pets (watch if your dog or cat has a habit of jumping at the TV when they see images with a lot of motion). 

Many TV makers include instructions on how to do this, and some even include anchor cables (aka safety straps) in the box. When unpacking a TV, make sure you don't discard those items thinking that you don't need them. 

If your TV doesn't come packaged with anchor cables or safety straps, they can be purchased from several third-party sources such as Amazon. 

How to Wall Mount Enclave Audio Speakers

Depending on the brand/model/design of your speakers, they may be able to be wall-mounted. If you want a wall-mounted TV, wall mounting left, center, and right channel speakers can be a great aesthetic complement.

One example are the speakers provided with the Enclave Audio CineHome II and CineHome Pro wireless home theater systems. They can be placed on a table, stand, or wall-mounted. Enclave Audio offers a table stand for its speakers, but doesn't provide specific products or third-party recommendations for floor stands or wall-mounts. 

For the CineHome Pro, the back of each speaker includes two ¼-inch keyholes and one ¼-inch/20-point mount thread that allow them to be mounted vertically or horizontally. However, it is suggested that the center channel speaker be mounted horizontally and the left/right front and surround speakers be mounted vertically.

The CineHome II system includes two ¼-inch vertical/horizontal keyholes and one ¼-inch/20-point mount thread for the center and front left/right speakers. One vertical ¼-inch keyhole and one ¼-inch/20-point mount thread are provided for each left/right surround speaker. 

Shown in the image below are the keyholes and mounting threads you will find on Enclave Audio speakers. The image on the left is an example of the mounting options of the center, left, or right front speakers, for the CineHome Pro and CineHome II systems. The image on the right is an example of the mounting options for surround speakers of the CineHome II system. 

Things to consider are that the wall mounts you purchase support the weight of the speaker and also provide enough space between the speakers and the wall so that their power and reset buttons can be accessed easily. 

If you have any questions, contact Enclave Audio Customer Service.