Straight answers

Practical guides on mounting TVs: heights, walls, wires, brackets and costs. No fluff, real numbers.

Bias lighting behind a wall-mounted TVA soft light behind the TV reduces eye strain and makes blacks look deeper. Which LED strips to buy, colour temperature, placement and power for a mounted TV.
Can drywall anchors hold a TV?Toggle bolts are rated for surprising loads, but drywall itself is the weak link. When anchors are acceptable for a TV, when they aren't, and safer options.
Can you mount a TV on brick?Brick is one of the strongest surfaces for a TV. Learn which anchors to use, brick vs. mortar joints, veneer vs. solid brick, and how to handle the wires.
Ceiling TV mounts: when and howA ceiling mount solves rooms with no usable wall. Drop poles, flip-down and motorized types, why joists matter, sloped ceilings and where the cables run.
Cleaning and caring for a mounted TVModern screens scratch and stain easily. The safe way to clean a TV, what never to use, dusting the vents, and a yearly check of the mount and cables.
Connecting a soundbar: ARC, eARC and opticalWhich port to use, what ARC and eARC mean, the TV settings to change, and how to fix no sound, lip-sync delay and a remote that won't control volume.
Cord covers that actually look neatA cord cover is the right answer on brick, in rentals and on walls you can't open. Sizes, how to cut and fix it straight, and how to paint it to disappear.
Mounting a TV in a cornerCorner TV mounting with full-motion arms: how far out the TV sits, which studs to use, cable routing and when a corner is the right call.
DIY or professional TV mounting?Mounting a TV yourself is doable on a simple wall. The tools and skills it takes, where DIY goes wrong, what a pro adds, and how to decide for your wall.
Does wall-mounting void the warranty?Mounting a TV on a wall is a normal, intended use and doesn't void the warranty by itself. What can cause a denied claim, and how to protect yourself.
How to find studs before you mount a TVStud finders miss. Here are five ways to locate and confirm wall studs before mounting a TV, and how to tell a stud from a pipe or a seam.
Fixed, tilt or full-motion — which mount?A plain comparison of the three wall-mount types: how far they sit off the wall, when each makes sense, weight limits and price.
Full-motion mounts: arm length and swivelAn articulating mount only turns as far as its arm allows. How to work out the extension you need for your TV size, corner or angle before you buy.
A gallery wall around the TVMake the TV part of the wall rather than a black hole in it. Gallery layouts, spacing, shelves, paint colours and how to keep the screen comfortable to watch.
HDMI cables — length, type and in-wall ratingWhich HDMI cable to buy for 4K and 8K, how long a passive cable can be, when you need active or fibre, and which rating is required inside a wall.
Hiding the cable box and streaming devicesThe TV is on the wall — now where do the boxes go? Behind the TV, on a shelf, in a cabinet or in another room, and how to keep remotes working.
Hiding TV wires in the wall, safelyWhy you can't push a TV power cord through the wall (NEC 400.12), how in-wall power kits work, and the best options for brick, rentals and fireplaces.
Hiding TV wires on brick or concreteYou can't fish cables through solid masonry. Five ways to hide TV wires on brick, block or a stone fireplace, from cord covers to routing through the side.
How high should you mount a TV?The center of the screen should sit near seated eye level — about 42 inches from the floor for most couches. Here's how to adjust for size, beds and fireplaces.
How long does TV mounting take?A standard install is about an hour. What adds time — brick, fireplaces, in-wall wiring, big screens, extra TVs — and how to keep your appointment short.
How to choose a TV wall mountFour numbers decide which mount fits — screen size, weight, VESA pattern and stud spacing. Then pick fixed, tilt or full-motion based on where you sit.
How to take a TV off the wallEvery mount releases differently — pull cords, locking screws or a lift-off bar. Step-by-step removal, what to unplug first, and how to remove the bracket.
In-wall power kits, explainedYou can't run a TV's power cord inside a wall. In-wall power kits solve that legally. How they work, the types, and when you need an electrician instead.
Is my wall strong enough for a TV?Almost every wall can carry a TV if the load goes into the structure. A simple way to judge wood studs, metal studs, masonry, plaster and thin partition walls.
Lag bolts, toggles and anchors for TV mountsThe hardware in the bag isn't right for every wall. Which fastener to use for wood studs, metal studs, drywall, brick and concrete, and how to install each.
Measuring your wall for a TVTVs are sold by diagonal, but walls are measured in width and height. Convert sizes to real dimensions, check clearances and mock it up with tape first.
Wall-mounting a curved TVYes, with the right spacers and a mount that fits a curved back. How curved TVs attach, why they sit further from the wall, and which bracket style suits them.
Mounting a TV above a fireplaceIs it safe to put a TV over a fireplace? How to check heat, how low you can go, which bracket helps, and how to hide wires in a chimney chase.
Mounting a TV in a dorm roomMost residence halls don't allow drilling. What dorm rules usually say, no-drill ways to set up a TV, and what changes in off-campus student apartments.
Mounting a TV in a garage or workshopGarage walls are block, bare studs or thin metal, with dust, heat and humidity. How to mount a TV there, protect it, and get power and signal to it.
Mounting a TV in a home gymA gym TV has to be seen from a treadmill, a bike and the floor. The right height and mount for workout rooms, plus mirrors, rubber floors and vibration.
Mounting a TV in a home officeA wall TV can be a second screen, a video-call display or a break-time TV. Height, distance and settings for an office, and when a monitor is better.
Mounting a TV in a kid's room or playroomWall-mounting is the safest way to have a TV around children. Height, bracket choice, cord safety and the anchoring rules that prevent tip-over injuries.
Mounting a TV in a manufactured homeManufactured homes have thinner walls and smaller studs. How to mount a TV safely on them, which brackets to avoid, and what to do about weak spots.
Mounting a TV in an RV or camperRV walls are thin and everything shakes on the road. How to find the backing, choose a locking mount, and keep a TV from coming loose while you drive.
Mounting a TV on plaster and lathOlder Auburn and Opelika homes often have plaster over wood lath. How to find studs through plaster, avoid cracks, and mount a TV securely.
Mounting a TV in a bathroomSteam and electronics don't mix well. Where a TV can go in a bathroom, what kind of TV to use, how to protect it, and the electrical rules that matter.
Mounting a TV in the kitchenHeat, steam, grease and awkward walls make kitchens tricky. The best spots for a kitchen TV, which mounts work, and what to keep the screen away from.
Mounting a TV on an exterior wallOutside walls are full of insulation and sometimes fire blocks. What changes when you mount a TV and hide wires on an exterior wall of your home.
Mounting a TV on concrete or blockPoured concrete and hollow block need different anchors. What to drill with, which anchors hold a TV, and how to deal with wires on a solid wall.
Mounting a TV on metal studsLag bolts don't work in steel studs. Here's how to identify metal studs and mount a TV safely with toggle anchors rated for the load.
Mounting a TV on shiplap or panelingShiplap and paneling are not structural. How to find the studs behind boards, avoid splitting them, and keep the TV flat on a grooved wood wall.
Mounting a TV on stone veneerStacked stone is uneven and often thin. How to mount a TV flat on a rough stone fireplace or accent wall, what to anchor into, and how to hide the cables.
Mounting a TV on tile, crack-freePorcelain and ceramic tile crack when drilled wrong. The bits, speed and technique that work, where to place holes, and what to anchor into behind the tile.
Mounting an OLED TV without damaging itOLED panels are a few millimetres thick and easy to flex or crack. How to carry, lay down and mount one, which screws to use, and what to avoid.
Two TVs on one wall for game dayTwo screens for two games. How to space, align and wire multiple TVs on one wall, what sizes work together, and how to send the right sound to the room.
Moving with a wall-mounted TVTake the TV down, pack it so the screen survives, keep the mount's hardware together, patch the wall, and plan the new wall before the truck arrives.
Pre-wiring a wall for a TV during constructionA few dollars of blocking, conduit and a recessed outlet before the drywall goes up makes every future TV install clean. What to ask your builder for.
New TV? Check these things before mountingTest the screen, check for shipping damage, update the software and keep the box for a while. A short checklist for a new TV before it gets mounted.
Mounting a TV on a patio or porchAlabama heat, humidity and storms are hard on TVs. Outdoor-rated vs. indoor sets, covered vs. open spaces, the right mount, power, and glare outdoors.
Patching holes after a TV mount comes downLag-bolt holes, toggle holes and cable cut-outs each need a different patch. How to fill, sand and paint so the wall passes a move-out inspection.
Pull-down mounts for a TV over the fireplaceA pull-down mantel mount lowers the TV to eye level for watching and lifts it back after. How they work, what they need from the wall, and who should buy one.
Questions to ask a TV installerPrice, insurance, what happens with a surprise wall, who supplies the bracket, and what's guaranteed. The questions that separate a good installer from a risky one.
Mounting a TV in a recessed nicheBuilder TV niches rarely fit modern screens. How to measure a niche, choose a mount that reaches, deal with ventilation, and what to do if the TV doesn't fit.
Mounting a TV when you rentCan you mount a TV in an apartment or rental? What to ask your landlord, how to minimize damage, patching at move-out, and no-drill alternatives.
Reusing an old mount for a new TVOften yes. Check the weight rating, VESA pattern and size range, inspect the bracket for wear, and decide whether the old holes in the wall still work.
Mounting a Samsung Frame TVThe Frame is designed to sit flat like a picture. How its slim-fit mount works, where the One Connect box goes, and how to hide the single cable.
Where should the soundbar go?Where to put a soundbar with a mounted TV, how far below the screen, wall vs. console, ARC/eARC setup and subwoofer placement.
Mounting a TV when studs are 24 inches apartMost TV brackets assume studs at 16 inches. If yours are 24 inches on centre, here are the brackets and methods that still give a solid, centred mount.
Surge protection for a wall-mounted TVAlabama thunderstorms are hard on electronics. Why a mounted TV often ends up unprotected, and four ways to add surge protection behind or below it.
How much tilt does a TV need?A simple way to work out the tilt angle for a TV mounted above eye level — over a fireplace, in a bedroom or a garage — and when tilt isn't enough.
Mounting a TV above a console or dresserHow much gap to leave between furniture and TV, how wide the console should be, and how to line everything up so it looks planned rather than random.
Beating window glare on a wall-mounted TVReflections ruin a picture. How to choose a wall that avoids window glare, test before drilling, and reduce reflections with tilt, swivel and screen choice.
How high to mount a TV in the bedroomBedroom TVs are watched lying down, so the living-room rule doesn't apply. The right height and tilt for a TV across from the bed, with real measurements.
What TV mounting really costs in AuburnReal prices for TV mounting in Auburn & Opelika — labor by screen size, wall types, brackets, wire hiding and add-ons, with example totals.
TV mounting for rentals and AirbnbsA mounted TV survives tenants better than one on a stand. Mount choice, theft and damage prevention, cable tidiness and policies for rental properties.
Mounting a TV in an older homeOld houses bring plaster, odd stud spacing, knob-and-tube wiring and walls that aren't flat. How to mount a TV in one without damaging what makes it special.
TV mounting mistakes worth avoidingToo high, off-centre, anchors instead of studs, cords in the wall. The twelve errors seen most often on TV installs, why they happen and the simple fixes.
TV height, neck strain and comfortLooking up at a screen for hours strains the neck. Comfortable viewing angles, how seat type changes the ideal height, and small changes that help.
TV sound after wall-mountingTV speakers fire down or backwards, and the wall changes how they sound. Settings to try first, placement tips, and when a soundbar is the real answer.
TV mounted too high? Here's the fixA sore neck after every movie means the TV is too high. How to tell, and the fixes — from tilting and re-seating to lowering the mount or a pull-down bracket.
How big a TV for your room?Use your couch distance to pick a TV size. Formulas from cinema standards (SMPTE 30°, THX 40°) and a simple table for 4K TVs.
VESA and weight limits, explained simplyHow to read your TV's VESA hole pattern and weight, match them to a wall mount, and why the wall's anchors matter as much as the bracket rating.
Flush and ultra-slim TV mountsHow close can a TV sit to the wall? Low-profile and no-gap mounts explained, what limits them — plugs, cables, wall bumps — and how recessing helps.
Wall-mounting a small TV or monitorSmall screens are light but still need the right pattern and position. VESA 75 and 100, arms vs. fixed plates, ergonomic height and cable tidying.
What's behind your wall before you drillBefore you drill for a TV mount, learn where electrical cables, plumbing and ducts usually run inside a wall, and the signs that tell you to pick another spot.
What size TV for my room?Pick a TV size from your seating distance, wall width and how you watch. A simple distance table, room-by-room suggestions and the case for going bigger.
Before we arrive: a 10-minute checklistA 10-minute prep checklist so your TV mounting visit is quick: clear the area, keep the TV in its box, have the remote and passwords ready.
Where the outlet behind the TV should goThe best spot for a TV outlet is inside the TV's outline but clear of the bracket. Heights, offsets, recessed boxes and what to ask your electrician for.
Streaming and Wi-Fi after wall-mountingA TV on the wall can lose Wi-Fi signal behind its own metal back. Why streaming gets worse after mounting, and the fixes — from repositioning to Ethernet.