How to Mount a TV Wall Bracket
How to Mount a TV Wall Bracket Safely
From mounting your TV to cord concealment and calibration, here’s how to install HDTV. You’ve made the big decision to buy a new flat panel TV, and the next big decision is whether to use a stand or mount it.
Should I use a TV stand or a space-saving wall mount: The first step
While using a traditional TV stand is always a good option, more and more families are opting to mount their televisions. A mounted TV not only protects your children from tipping accidents, but it also looks beautiful because it defies gravity while hanging on a wall. The extra floor space will benefit you by allowing you to personalise your room in novel ways.
Though it may appear difficult, mounting a television can be a quick and simple task if you do your research first. On the most fundamental level, properly mounting a TV entails screwing brackets to your TV, drilling the necessary holes in the wall, and then hanging the TV. Isn’t that right?
To help you get started, we’ve compiled our best tips and recommendations. We’ll go over the fundamentals, such as mounting the TV to the wall, concealing wires, and calibrating the picture for the best possible display. Let’s get this party started.
Steps to mounting and setting up your TV:
- How to choose the right mount for your HDTV
- Physically inspecting your space
- What tools do I need to mount my TV?
- Tips for installing your wall mount
- Fine-tuning the TV’s viewing angle
- How to hide the cords from your mounted TV
- Calibrating the TV’s picture
1
How to choose the right mount for your HDTV
There are a few things you should do before you even start mounting your new TV. The first and most important requirement is that the TV is designed for wall mounting. Most flat-panel TVs are mountable, but some are not, so make certain yours is. Look for the words “VESA Wall Mount Standard Compatible” under a TV’s “Specifications” section on Walmart If you see a measurement, the TV can be mounted. The measurement refers to the size of the required TV mount. This RCA 60″ 4K LED TV, for example, has a VESA requirement of 400mm x 200mm.
Then you must locate the amount that is compatible with that VESA measurement. This Orbital Holdings 39 -80” Wall Mount is compatible with TVs with VESA values ranging from 50x50mm to 600x400mm, making it a good fit. Finally, determine the weight of the TV and insure that the mount can support the weight load.
Again, the maximum weight of the TV and wall mount can be found in the product descriptions on Walmart.
Orbital 39 – 80″ TV Wall Multi-Position Mount
- Easy to Install
- Perfect for Corners
- Fully Adjustable
It’s as simple as that. Here’s a quick 3-step summary:
Step One:
Ensure your TV is mountable: look for “VESA Wall Mount Standard Compatible” on Walmart product descriptions
Step Two:
Make a note of the VESA measurement and find a compatible Wall Mount: you can find the compatible VESA range on Walmart.ca product descriptions
Step Three:
Ensure the TV Mount can hold up the TV: compare the weight of the TV to the wall mount’s maximum weight
You might like: How to Choose the Perfect TV Screen Size 2
Physically inspecting your space
Now that you know your TV is mountable, the next step is to thoroughly inspect your space. Here are important factors to consider:
How high should I mount my flat screen TV? – The recommended TV height is at eye level when in a seated position. It’s OK to have the TV slightly below eye level as the most on-screen action generally occurs on the top 2/3 of the screen. What you don’t want is the TV above eye level as that forces you to look up, which causes neck strain.
Wall mounting safety – Know the material composition of your wall. Is it drywall? Concrete? Brick? Generally, if you have a concrete or brick wall you can drive screws anywhere. If it’s drywall, you need to locate studs, ensure they’re strong enough to hold the TV and drill there. More on that later.
Optimum TV Viewing Angle – It’s important that everyone in the room has a good viewing angle of the television once mounted. If members of your family are likely to view the TV from different seating positions, considering getting a flexible TV Mount. For instance, this Techly Tilt/Swivel TV Mount can tilt from 0 to -12° and swivel up to 180°. Adjustable TV mounts give your family the flexibility to reposition the TV to optimize the viewing angle.
Proximity to Power Outlets and Connected Devices – Consider its closeness to power outlets and any devices you’ll want to be connected to, such as cable boxes, stereo systems, and game consoles. Take the time to measure all cords and make absolutely sure you can connect all devices without tugging or straining the cords.
Techly 1-Arm Tilt/Swivel TV Wall Mount- 19-37″
- Easy to adjust arm tilts from 0 to -12° and swivels up to 180°
- Ideal for medium to large rooms
- Supports TVs up to 25kg
What tools do I need to mount my TV?
Before mounting, prepare by getting the proper tools to install it. These include:
- Cordless drill
- Screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- Tape measure
- Painter’s tape
If you’re going to drill into drywall or other soft wall materials, make sure you also get a stud finder. Using a stud finder is critical because the wall is not strong enough to support the weight of a TV—the wall plate must be anchored into the centre of the studs. When measuring the density of your wall with the stud finder, go slowly and accurately mark each stud with painter’s tape. You should find at least three different studs in the area you’re mounting the TV in order to have a few options and also because you’ll need to drill a few holes to secure the TV.
Tips for installing your wall mount
Mounting a TV is easier than you think, provided you follow directions closely. Here are the recommended steps to take:
Read instructions thoroughly – First, consult the TV’s and Wall Mount’s instruction manuals to ensure all parts are accounted for. Also, take inventory of the tools you’ll need, such as specific drill bits, screwdrivers, wrenches or sockets. The type of drill bit required will either come with the wall mount or will be noted in the instruction manual.
Find Wall Studs – Grab your stud finder and locate the vertical studs behind the drywall. Some mounts will bolt into two wall studs while other mounts only require one stud. Mark the stud locations and centre of each stud.
Mark Pilot Holes – Once the desired TV height has been decided, place the mount against the wall and mark the holes with a pencil. These pilot holes are for drilling and securely anchoring the mount to the wall. Make sure the holes align over the stud(s) and use a level to confirm the holes are precisely lined up.
Drill Pilot Holes & Tighten Anchoring Bolts – Next, drill the pilot holes and secure the mount to the wall using anchoring bolts. Finish tightening the bolts by hand.
Attach Mounting Plate to TV – Your fifth step is to mount the plate to the back of the TV. For this, follow the mount’s instructions step-by-step.
Connect Plate to Mount – Have another person help as you secure the television to the wall mount. The plate on the back of the television will slot right onto the mount connected to the wall.
Safety Check – Finally, do an inspection to check that the brackets have interlocked, the TV is secure, and the mount itself is secure and tight.5
Fine-tuning the TV’s viewing angle
As touched upon earlier, there are wall mounts that allow you to adjust the TVs position after mounting. The two basic types are:
Tilt wall mounts – These allow you to tilt the TV back or forward. For instance, this TygerClaw Tilting Wall Mount can be tilted from -15° to +15°. Consult the wall mount product pages on Walmart.ca for exact details on their tilting range.
Full-motion wall mounts – The most versatile option, these mounts allow you to tilt and swivel the TV. As an example, this TygerClaw Full Motion Wall Mount can tilt from -15˚ to +5˚, and swivel degree up to 180˚.
Keep in mind that there are fixed TV mounts that do not allow you to adjust the TV’s position. Because you can’t adjust the position after mounting, you have to be extra cautious when drilling holes and installing these mounts.
Should your wall mount be adjustable, now’s the time to tilt or swivel the TV into the perfect viewing position. After adjusting, check the mount for tightening mechanisms to lock the television into place.
TygerClaw Full Motion Wall Mount
- Constructed from heavy-gauge steel
- Innovative locking mechanism makes installation easy
- Holds TVs up to 35kg
How to hide the cords from your mounted TV
Next, you’ve got to take care of those unsightly cords hanging down from your newly mounted TV. A simple, easy solution is to buy a cord cover like this D-Line Round TV Cord Cover. This will give your wall a neat and clean look, and it’s a very cost-effective option.
A second, much more involved option is to hide the cords behind the wall. It’s very important to know that running high-voltage TV or extension cords through the wall violates the Canadian electrical codes, so don’t do it. Instead, your options are to install an IWPE (in-wall power extension) or get a power bridge kit. For both routes, contacting a certified electrician is strongly advised to ensure you’re compliant with Canadian electrical/fire codes.7
Calibrating the TV’s picture
Now that your TV is mounted, it’s time for the final step: calibrating the image. To do this, navigate to your TV’s settings and look for the pre-set picture modes and customization options. Adjust the backlight, brightness level, contrast, HDR, sharpness, and colour, among other settings and features, to improve the image. Every room has different lighting; calibrating the picture settings allows you to customise based on room brightness and other factors for the best possible display quality.
Enjoying your newly mounted TV
Setting up and mounting a new television is simple and quick once you understand the steps involved. You can create a clean and functional entertaining space for the entire family by doing simple prep work and carefully mounting the TV. Follow these tips and recommendations to make mounting and customising your new TV a quick and easy process—then sit back and enjoy your beautiful new mounted TV!
