Get matched with top tv mount installation pros in Teaticket, MA

In most cases, you should not put a TV on a fireplace mantel. The minimum width required to put a TV safely on a shelf or mantel is 10 inches, but pre-made mantels are usually too shallow, averaging at only seven inches deep. If you do choose to place a TV above a mantel, it should be mounted to the wall. However, do so cautiously as heat radiating from the fireplace could potentially cause damage to electronics.

Determining if mounting a TV on the wall or mounting it on a stand is better boils down to personal preference. TV mounts are an excellent choice for homes that have limited space, unruly dogs, or young children. They also allow you to customize the height and viewing angle more easily. At the same time, mounting a TV on an entertainment center stand offers additional storage space, a place to hide the wires, and fewer holes in the wall. Renters may also have limitations on drilling holes into the wall above certain diameters.

The VESA mounting standard refers to the layout of the mounting holes on the back of all televisions that follow the standard. These holes appear in the same place on all TVs of a certain size. This allows the mounting bracket and hardware manufacturers to build the brackets to fit the VESA standard. Ideally, if everyone follows the VESA standard, any brand of TV should fit any brand of mounting bracket, as long as the sizes match up correctly.

Yes, you can mount a TV on plaster walls—as long as you attach it to the studs. Alternatively, you can use toggle bolts, molly bolts, or another type of hardware that’s strong enough to support a TV. 

If you aren’t comfortable with this type of project, you can hire a pro. The cost of mounting a TV to a plaster wall ranges from $25 to $600 (or more), depending on the TV’s weight, size, and other factors.