Can you put a TV above a fireplace? Of course you can. Plenty of homes have a TV above the fireplace, and it can look great. How to make it work in your home comes down to a few things: how hot the wall gets, what’s behind the wall, and how you want everything to look.
First, How Hot Does the Wall Actually Get?
It depends mostly on the fireplace. Wood-burning fires put out the most heat. Gas and electric fireplaces put out less. A deeper mantel helps by pushing rising heat out and away from the wall above it.
Because every house is different, the only way to know how hot the wall above your fireplace gets is to measure it. Tape a thermometer probe to the wall where the TV would hang, run the fire at its hottest for an extended stretch, and see what it says after the wall has some time to heat up.
All TVs have an operating limit. Sony, for example, tells owners to use its TVs between 32°F and 104°F (0°C and 40°C). Our TVs are certified to run continuously at up to 176°F (80°C), which leaves far more room if the space above your fireplace can run hotter than you’d hope. (Here’s what a heat resistant rating means.)
What About a Mirror TV Above the Fireplace?
A large mirror above the fireplace is one of the most familiar design choices there is. It adds light and depth to the room and gives the fireplace wall a focal point that isn’t a black rectangle.
A mirror TV lets you have that familiar look and still have a TV above the fireplace. When the TV is turned off, it’s a mirror. When it’s on, it’s a TV. If you want the screen without a big, bulky TV taking over the fireplace wall, this is the option that does both. Our Magic Mirror TVs start at 24” and run all the way up to 75”, so there are plenty of options for you. Here’s how to choose a mirror TV.
Mounting the TV: On the Wall or In It
On the wall. Most TVs are mounted on the wall. If this is the direction you choose to go, our TVs, including our Magic Mirror TVs, are compatible with standard VESA mounts. Any VESA mount rated for your TV’s size and weight will work. If the wall above the fireplace is brick or stone, anchor the mount into the brick or stone itself, not into the mortar joints, and confirm that the wall is composed of solid masonry and not a veneer. Never drill near the flue or smoke chamber.
In the wall. It’s also possible to recess the TV so it sits flush with the wall above the fireplace, as in the photo below. This works where the wall is framed, as many gas fireplace surrounds are.
While our TVs can be installed in stone or masonry walls, a masonry chimney breast is structural and houses the flue. It could be risky to cut into it. Before anyone cuts, a builder or installer should confirm what’s behind the wall and how much clearance the fireplace needs. Our in-wall TVs, including our Magic Mirror TVs, need between 2.2 and 2.85 inches of wall depth depending on size, so even the 75″ model fits in under 3 inches of wall space. Here’s what an in-wall install involves, and here’s how to choose an in-wall TV.
Height and Viewing
A TV is typically installed at eye level from your usual viewing spot, for example the couch. A fireplace usually forces the screen higher than eye level.
If you’re putting a TV above the fireplace, and particularly if it’s a Magic Mirror TV, aesthetics come first. But it’s recommended that you install the TV at the lowest position that the mantel and ceiling allow. Looking up at a screen through a long movie strains your neck, and a lower TV is easier on it. A VESA tilting mount can help with the view angle and would be compatible with all of our televisions, should you decide to wall-mount one.
Before You Decide
A quick recap of what to check:
- Fireplace type: wood, gas, or electric.
- Temperature: measured at the TV’s likely location with the fire running at its hottest, compared to the TV’s heat rating.
- Wall: solid masonry, veneer, or framed, and what’s behind it.
- Mounting: on the wall with a VESA mount, or in it if the wall is framed and a builder confirms.
- Finish: a mirror TV if you want the mantel mirror look, or a white or black bezel.
- Height: the lowest position you’re comfortable with.
Give us a call or send a note if you want to talk through what fits your fireplace wall.
Sources: Sony support, Bob Vila, CE Pro, HomeServe, TV Mounting on Brick Fireplace Surrounds
