Is It OK to Mount a TV Above a Fireplace?

You may have a TV above a fireplace in your home or visited friends and noticed they had their TV over their fireplace and you liked how it looked. A fireplace TV mount does have a nice, streamlined look and can be a good use of space. Many homeowners like the placement for its convenience, aesthetics, or the “style” factor. However, no matter the reason, the TV-above-fireplace motif is not a good idea. While it may be visually pleasing, there are important reasons why mounting your flat screen above your fireplace is a big no-no. In this guide, we’ll cover what you need to know.

Five Reasons Not to Mount TVs Above Fireplaces

If you’ve ever wondered, is it OK to mount a TV above a fireplace, you are probably disappointed to learn that the short answer is, it’s not. So how did this trend become commonplace?

Since flat screens became the norm, many designers saw that just as a fireplace is often the focal point of a room, by using the wall space above it, the TV can be, too. Designers also liked how a TV above a fireplace opened up other areas in a room, which allowed for more seating for entertaining or relaxing with family. And if you have ever picked up a home design magazine or watched a home improvement show, you've likely noticed that interior designers love recommending TV-over-fireplace ideas to their clients. 

In the past, the empty wall space above a fireplace was often filled with artwork, mirrors, sconces, and so on. In this age of affordable flat-screen technology and an abundance of TV programming, however, homeowners are investing in TVs and home-entertainment systems more than ever and they want the ideal location for them. Over time, the idea of mounting a TV above a fireplace has replaced those other uses for the space. 

For these reasons, it’s understandable then that a fireplace TV mount has become the choice for many homeowners. But before you invest in a potentially costly installation of your new 80-inch TV above your fireplace, consider these five reasons why you should buck the trend. You may find you’re happy you did! (If you already have a TV over the fireplace, keep these cautions in mind and possibly reconsider if it's a safe spot.)

1. Fire and Electronics Don’t Mix

TVs and other electronics don’t do well when exposed to heat and smoke. When subjected to smoke from a fireplace for long periods of time, the screen and internal components of your TV can be damaged. This can lead to issues with the sound and picture quality or result in total malfunction. Even the heat from an electric fireplace can damage a flat screen, causing the same problems. Given to cost of some high-end flat screens, why risk damaging yours by placing your TV above a fireplace?

Protect Your Home

While a home warranty may not help with fire damage to your TV, it can help you avoid potential budgeting disasters when your covered home systems and appliances fail. With coverage from First American you’ll have peace of mind knowing your budget is protected from unexpected breakdowns. Want to learn more? Get a free quote today.

2. It’s a Pain in the Neck

For the most minimal impact on your neck and back, ergonomics experts recommend placing TVs at eye level when you’re seated. Placing your flat-screen TV above the fireplace will result in you tilting your head back every time you watch your favorite shows or movies. Even a minor tilt of your head and neck while watching can result in both temporary and long-term pain. Turning your chin up into an extended position for lengthy periods of time can also cause headaches.

Another way to think about this is to use the example of going to the movies. After watching a two-hour movie with your head tilted upward, you may have felt neck pain by the time the credits roll. Thankfully, movie-going is just a few hours at a time. But think about that neck ache becoming part of your TV viewing experience every time you sit down to watch something. Binge-watching is no fun with a headache or neck ache!

If you have kids at home, you may also want to consider that studies have shown looking down at smartphones for lengthy time periods has lead to deterioration of the C5 to C7 discs in younger patients. It’s easy to imagine the likelihood of a similar phenomenon of neck troubles in young TV watchers as a result of tilting their heads upward for extended periods. Even with improvements in movable TV mounts, the potential for long-term neck issues, when combined with the other reasons we cover here, make installing a fireplace TV mount much less tempting.

3. Diminished Picture Quality

Most flat-screen TVs are meant to be viewed at eye level and are calibrated accordingly. Increasing the angle of the TV can cause the picture to appear either washed out or shadowed, depending on your TV. Many flat screens are also LCDs and are meant to be viewed directly. Viewing off-angle by sitting right or left of center rather than straight on can give the picture a blurred or distorted view, diminishing your viewing experience.

4. Distance for Viewing

As with viewing angle, it’s also important to have the right viewing distance from your TV. Many factors can influence optimal viewing distance, including personal preference, eyesight, and the TV’s resolution. Sitting too close to the screen impacts viewing quality as much as being too far away. Manufacturers’ guidelines generally recommend a viewing distance of about 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal screen size of your flat-screen TV. If you want to avoid a math problem, using the example of a 65-inch TV, you want to place your TV between eight feet and 14 feet from your seating area. So, unless you are building your home, you do not have control over where your fireplace is located in your living room or family room. If it’s too far away from your seating areas or was built at an angle in the room that distance can make TV viewing uncomfortable and potentially cause eye strain along with neck pain.

Thinking about ways to improve the look of your fireplace? Find ideas in our Fireplace Makeover blog.

5. Difficult and Risky Installation

Depending on the fireplace material used, mounting a TV above a fireplace safely and securely can prove difficult. For example, a fireplace with a stone or brick construction will require heavy-duty cement anchors to secure the TV and handle the weight, which will leave large, ugly holes in your fireplace should you ever decide to take the TV down. In most cases, you'll also need to hire an electrician to install an outlet above the fireplace to power your TV.

Many building codes also recommend at least a two-inch clearance between combustible electrical wires and a fireplace. Although it may look nice to tuck all the wires behind the TV, the heat from the chimney could cause damage to them, or even worse, they could catch fire. And returning to the stone fireplace example, there will also be difficulty in hiding wires and cables with those types of facades.

Related: Got a faulty outlet in your home? Check out our DIY outlet replacement guide.

Homeowners and Home Buyers Love Fireplaces

Fireplaces remain popular with homeowners and are an asset in a home. They are also sought-after features for prospective home buyers, who also like the warmth and ambiance that traditional hearths offer. When you make changes to the space above a fireplace to accommodate a TV, you may eventually have to invest in costly refacing to repair or replace the fireplace facade before you sell. Add to that is data from the National Association of REALTORS^® that shows how design trends are moving toward TV-less living rooms. If you plan to sell your home in the next few years, or simply like the idea of creating TV-less spaces in your home, avoid mounting a TV above the fireplace.

Home Protection for Your Electrical System

Television viewing is part of our daily lives and is often a source of enjoyment for relaxing, either on your own, or when shared with friends and family. TVs are also a fixture in our homes. So, when electrical issues in the home have the potential to cause you to miss a favorite show, it’s important to be able to get those repairs started right away, without the hassle of searching for an electrician. That’s where a home warranty may be able to help. First American home warranty plans can cover many issues that can go wrong with your home’s electrical system, as well as other vital home systems and appliances.

Home warranty coverage helps protect your budget from repair or replacement costs for covered appliances and systems that fail due to normal wear and tear. See how our plans can help you: get a quote today.

The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.

Please be aware that if you disassemble a covered system or item, it can invalidate your home warranty or manufacturer's warranty.