What You Need to Know Before You Buy a TV Mount
A tv mount is a piece of hardware that holds your TV on the wall, usually above a fireplace or other focal point. Mounts come in a variety of styles, and you should carefully consider your options before you buy one. The right mounting setup will give you a good view of your telly while allowing for easy access to its rear ports. If you’re not a DIYer, hiring a professional may be the best choice. However, before you start opening your toolbox, you should familiarize yourself with a few key terms and standards. This will help you make a more informed buying decision and reduce the likelihood that you’ll wind up with a faulty or dangerous installation.
Fixed mounts are the least expensive option and keep the TV flush against the wall. They also offer the least movement and are ideal for rooms that don’t have a lot of seating options. If you need to orient your TV for multiple seating positions, however, a tilting mount is better. These allow you to adjust the viewing angle of your TV, ensuring that everyone can see it clearly.
Tilting and swiveling mounts are similar to the tilting type, except they also enable you to orient your TV in the horizontal direction for larger room sizes. These are commonly used in conference rooms or living rooms. Some models even have an extending arm that lets you move the TV farther from the wall, giving you a more immersive experience.
Before you mount your TV, it’s a good idea to connect your power lead, HDMI cable, sound bar and any other accessories. This will save you time and headaches in the future when trying to get at those ports when your telly is on the wall. You’ll also want to make sure that your mount can support the weight of all those devices, as well as any additional equipment you’ll be attaching to it.
If you’re installing a TV mount in drywall, make sure that the wall anchors are rated for the weight of your TV and the materials of your wall. Failing to do this can result in the wall bowing or buckling under the weight of your TV, potentially damaging both the wall and your television.
Most wall mounts come with a set of installation hardware, including screws and drywall anchors. The type of drywall anchor you need depends on the location of your TV mount and whether it will be installed in concrete or masonry.
Once you’ve determined the location of your TV mount, hold the TV Wall Plate against the stud locations you marked earlier and use a bubble level to ensure that it is level. Then, mark the holes for drilling with a pencil or etching tool. Using a drill, drill holes that match the size of the bolts included with your TV mount kit into each of the marks.
Some mounts have locks that you can activate to prevent them from coming loose or accidentally falling off the wall. The most common type of lock is a screw lock, which can be opened with the appropriate size screwdriver. Others have a bar lock that slides horizontally along the back of the mount and can be pulled down to unlock the mount.