You have seen it in pictures and you absolutely loved it! It seems that having your LCD HDTV installed over the fireplace is all the rage these days and you want it too. But caution is advised, no matter how appealing this idea must seem to be. Many LCD manufacturers advise to avoid exposing your LCD HDTV to extreme heat, and some specific literature even states clearly that, in case of damage, if the LCD HDTV was installed over a fireplace, and the cause of damage was high temperature, the warranty may be rendered void.
Warning: Exposing your LCD to extreme temperatures will cause damage to your HDTV, and you will get no reimbursement from the manufacturer.
Operating and Storage Temperature
Even if the introduction of this article may put you off a little, there are still ways to install your LCD TV over fireplace, if you know how to handle this right. One thing that you need to know is the operating temperature, as well as the storage temperature for your LCD. Some models can reach about 120 degrees Fahrenheit, in operating mode and up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, in storage mode (when the LCD is turned off). This gives you an important hint about what kind of conditions you must assure for an LCD TV, so you do not end with a damage product and a void warranty.
In order to establish if it is ok to install your LCD TV over fireplace, start the fireplace, and place a room thermometer above it, just about where you wish your LCD TV to be placed. Let the fireplace work for some time, until you see the temperature stabilizing. Read it, and if it is above 100-110 degrees Fahrenheit, then having the LCD TV put over fireplace is not such a great idea.
Extreme heat can radiate on the exterior, but also through the chimney wall, and that is why it is important to establish the temperature right next to the wall, as well.
Solution: watching television when the fireplace is turned off will stave off problems with extreme heat.
Be Aware of Soot!
Another problem with installing an LCD TV over fireplace is that soot from the fireplace can get to the delicate structure of the electronic device, causing damage and malfunctioning. In order to avoid such problems, make sure to cover the LCD TV when you undergo cleaning for your fireplace.
Other Considerations
While many enjoy the idea of having their LCD TV installed over fireplace, some aesthetic issues may come into play. One is that all the cables will show and that will not make for such a pleasant image. If the wall above the mantel is hollow, then it will be easy to pass all the cables behind the LCD and hide them from view. Some stores sell special kits for holding all the cables together, and the best thing about these kits is that they are made of special materials that can be painted, so they can have the same color as the wall, concealing all the cables.
When you want to mount the LCD on a wall, you need to know what kind of material the wall is made of, stone or brick, as special bolts will be needed for each. Also, drywall will require special anchor bolts, but, moreover, the fixtures must hold the LCD weight in place, which can be daunting.
Mounting your LCD on the chimney wall requires knowledge about the wall nature and the proper materials to use.
Call in the Professionals
As you can see, mounting your LCD TV over fireplace is not exactly a task without traps and challenges. If you think that your skills are not enough for installing your HDTV over your fireplace, then you should consider calling in a professional that will know how to handle the situation.
Be aware of temperature issues, and you will succeed in having your LCD placed exactly where you like.