26 Jul 2019 Can you put a TV above a fireplace?

Posted at 2:08 PMh in News by

Have you been toying with the idea of hanging your TV above your fireplace? For many, particularly those living in smaller properties, this may be the only option given a lack of space, but is it a good idea? We take a look at this conundrum this month, considering what the issues are and how to overcome them.

Focal points

If you have an open fireplace in your home then it will be the focal point of the room – it is designed that way. It will have had some influence on your decision to invest in that property in the first place, or if you put it in yourself then you will no doubt have done it with that in mind. A stove can be less of a focal point given its smaller size and more compact design and may be placed in a part of the room that is not the central focal point of it. This can make it easier to keep your wall space free for things such as a TV.

Having said that, there are other things in the room that can draw the eye, it need not just be the fireplace. What you want to avoid is giving a space too much to focus on, particularly if it is a smaller room, as it can feel more cluttered.

Mounting a TV above the fireplace

In an ideal world that is not a great place to put it. There are a number of reasons for this, including:

  • Heat and electronics. Put them together and it’s usually not a good combination. TVs are packed with sensitive electronic components and placing them above a heat source will degrade them. Such components operate best at lower temperatures and using them close to a heat source can even cause short circuits in extreme circumstances.
  • Smoke and particulates. No matter how good your flue is, there will always be some smoke and particulate matter emitted inside your room when you are burning wood in an open fireplace. These will settle onto and in your TV, slowly eroding components and causing damage.
  • Neck issues. Having a TV at an elevation above eye level – which it would have to be at if it is over a fireplace – then you will be craning your neck to watch it. Over time, this could cause neck problems and even shoulder pain and headaches from keeping your neck in a non-neutral position.

Mitigating these problems

We understand that sometimes you may not have a choice so here are a few ideas t help mitigate these problems:

  • Install a mantel above your fireplace which will help to reduce the amount of heat that escapes and rises up from your fireplace.
  • Get a professional installer to mount your TV. They can find the best way of managing cabling so that it is as far from the heat source as possible.
  • Sitting further back will help to alleviate the neck and shoulder problems. The distance means the TV will be closer to eye level than it would if you were closer to it.

If you have any questions or need advice about your fireplace or stove or are thinking of installing one, talk to our friendly team at Fiveways Fires & Stoves. We’re here to help so get in touch by phone on 020 8127 4747 or by email at whenever you are ready.