Can you mount a tv above a gas fireplace

Have you ever seen the windows inside the car of a cigarette smoker? Unless the smoking driver is an equally habitual window washer, those windows are covered with a hazy film of filth.

Exposed to the smoke of burning wood, a similar film can build up on the components inside a television cabinet. You may not see the particulate when you have a fire, but it is there you can smell it.

If you burn wood — even with the flue open — there will be a small amount of smoke and particulate emitted. And once that particulate builds up, so does the heat generated by the TV.

Look at a wood-burning stove as an example. Think about what that same heat can do to all the sensitive components inside a television. When we asked him if he encouraged or discouraged the practice, he was quick to jump in. Most electronic devices operate best and most reliably at lower temperatures.

Why a Fireplace? Posted on Wednesday, April 19, Find a Dealer or Distributor A dealer or distributor can help you with sales, service and support. Search Now. Get in Touch Check out our social media account. Why are you contacting us? Before you commit to the decision, carefully consider the following TV-over-fireplace pros and cons:. Many people simply get caught up in the worry: Can you use a fireplace with a TV above it?

You can enjoy your TV and fireplace simultaneously as long as you have executed a high-quality installation and your fireplace does not produce excessive heat. Heat is not great for electronics. When TVs and similar devices are exposed to excessively high temperatures, they are susceptible to mechanical failure and may sustain lasting damages to their inner components.

In this position, your TV could accumulate build-up from the particles distributed by the smoke emitted by the burning wood. Even if the TV is stored inside an entertainment cabinet, a sooty film can build up on the screen and other electronics, potentially interfering with their functionality.

The models below are some examples of what you can expect:. Chat with our fireplace advisors to learn more. A primary concern when considering whether or not to install a TV over a fireplace is: How high should your TV be above the fireplace for comfortable viewing?

Does TV mounting height simply come down to personal preference? Ideally, the best angle to watch TV is at eye level when the viewer is sitting down. This way, the viewer can relax without having to strain their neck when looking up for an extended period. How does screen size factor into the equation? There is no single best size TV for over a fireplace, but here are some expert guidelines for your TV size to help reduce eye strain and create a better viewing experience for your guests:.

However, you should always refer to your installation manual for specific guidelines. Test it out before you make any final adjustments. One of the challenges with mounting a TV over a fireplace is controlling where the wires will go. When it comes to mounting a tv above a fireplace, simply put, what works for someone else may not work for you.

There are so many factors involved that it takes the trained eye of a professional to know and consider all factors. Proceeding with this seemingly simple project could be a costly mistake. Ask yourself a few questions and consider the following things before starting this popular household project:. The fireplace surround is unique to every single home. Not without thoroughly inspecting the area and all components therein. As you can see, the mortar is holding the brick facing on the wall.

We cannot recommend the correct size because every home has a unique fireplace and hearth setup. Another thing to remember is that this project requires more than your standard drill and drill bit set. However, that common sense is misleading in this case. Allow us to explain:. The smoke chamber and flue tiles contain the smoke on its way outdoors.

Using extra-long anchors poses the risk of penetrating the smoke chamber or flue tiles, leading to major safety hazards. What do you think happens if we unknowingly drill a hole through that barrier between the smoke and the living room? The TV looks great, and everything appears to be okay.

It happens over time, and in a situation like this, you may not find out about the damage until your next level 2 inspection. This is when your chimney tech runs a high-resolution camera up the flue and finds the spot right behind where the fireplace tv mount has started cracking.

Now ask yourself if that TV mounting was worth a repair job that could easily cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Even within the chimney and fireplace industry, it is difficult to grasp without visualizing it. Mortar is essentially like a space filler. A bonding substance that fills the spaces in between blocks or bricks and then hardens.

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. As always, when in doubt, call a professional for help.

While you can usually get away with mounting a flat-screen tv over an electric fireplace, when it comes to gas or wood-burning units made to produce heat, you must be careful what you place above the mantel.