How to Mount an LCD TV on the Wall

How to Mount an LCD TV on the Wall

A guide on how to safely and effectively mount an LCD TV on your wall, covering bracket selection, stud finding, placement, and installation tips.

Home entertainment has become more sophisticated. The trend today is to provide viewers with an immersive experience using advanced electronic technology to make television-viewing as vivid, clear, and visually exciting as a trip to the cinema. LCD TV sets are larger and thinner, featuring high-definition flat screens that make images seem to pop out, with colors that are even stronger and brighter than what you see in nature. Below are tips on how you can mount an LCD TV on a wall.

• When you buy an LCD TV, the unit usually comes with wall-mounting brackets. You can either use these brackets or buy a new set. A set of mounting brackets can have several features, depending on its price. If you opt to buy a new set, look for one with a sturdy construction that can hold more screws, features a smooth finish, and has a suitable weight rating for the size of your LCD TV.
• Unless your house has concrete walls, you will have to find the wall studs where you can anchor the screws. Wall panels and drywall will not be able to bear the sheer weight of the television. If your television is about 42 inches in size, it is safe to use single wall studs. For anything heavier, you will have to use two studs per side. Use a stud finder to locate the wall studs and find their centers.
• Check the location of the wall where you want to mount your LCD TV. This type of television is best viewed under low lighting conditions. Make sure that it is not mounted where there is strong overhead lighting, directly opposite a window that can cast a glare on the screen, or where viewing can be impeded by other objects and furnishings in the room. Determine the proper height for viewing while seated. You want the TV at a height where you will not strain your neck while looking at the screen.
• Once you have located the studs, the right position on the wall, and the level, use the wall bracket as a template to trace its shape and mark the holes for the screws. Make sure that this is aligned with the bracket on the back of the television.
• Drill the pilot holes for the screws to attach the brackets to the wall. Check the alignment of the wall brackets before you tighten the screws completely. Remove the TV stand carefully, as there are several connections at the back of the TV set that may be affected while doing so.
• Attach the other part of the brackets to the back of the TV. Be sure to consult the manual on the proper mounting of the brackets to the back of the TV. These parts should attach only to the metal points at the back of the television set.
• Once everything is set, you will have to ask one or two people to assist you in lifting the unit while someone guides the slots so that the back of the TV clips into the brackets mounted on the wall. Check that the LCD TV is correctly slotted into the wall brackets. Give the TV a few gentle tugs to ensure the brackets are sturdy and secure.

It is very important that you protect the screen from your fingers and pointed tools. LCD screens are not made of glass like regular televisions, and it is very easy to puncture them. Leave ample space between your wall and the TV set to ensure proper air circulation.