The great thing about modern Digital TVs is that they so thin they can be attached to the wall very neatly. There are numerous different mount methods that cover a wide range of situations. In this article I’ll give an overview of the types of mount available and the pros and cons of each.
Mounts can be divided into three main categories:
- Flat Wall Mounts
- Adjustable Full Motion Mounts
- Ceiling Mounts
Each has it own set of pros and cons and situations where they’re best.
Flat Wall Mounts
Flat wall mounts are the classic flat panel mount that is quite popular with new digital TVs. They come in a number of varieties from slimline designed to put the TV as close to the wall as possible, to adjustable angle types that allow you to angle the TV downwards for optimum viewing from a low location. The advantages of these types are obvious. They look great especially with a modern super thin LED TV. Here are some disadvantages you may not have thought about:
- Difficult to connect new devices or adjust cabling because TV can’t easily be moved out from the wall.
- Not much space for connectors to properly plug into TV, right angle adaptors may be needed.
- Not all walls are suitable, solid brick or concrete walls won’t allow cables to be hidden
The main issue with flat wall mounts is all about cables. You need a hollow wall to have the best effect of a flat wall mount. This will allow you to run all the cables for devices through the wall. I would recommend having a recessed power socket installed behind where the TV will be as well as a recessed TV socket. This means you don’t have to run the TV and power cables through the holes used for AV cables. Recessed socket boxes can be purchased at most electrical suppliers. Two open holes will also need to be drilled in plasterboard wall. I recommend using a 50 or 60mm hole. Purchase two plastic desk hole tidies, those little plastic things used for holes in desks. That allows you to protect the plasterboard from damage and makes it look neat.
It is also important to note the second hole in the wall needs to be below the knoggin in most cases, so this will limit how high you can place your TV. While it is possible to get AV cables past a knoggin it is usually quite hard. It is also important to note that the placement of the TV will be limited by the location of suitable studs in the wall. They aren’t always where you might want or expect them to be. This may result in the TV not being quite centred on the wall.
Adjustable Full Motion Mounts
These types of mounts are typically used to mount TVs in locations where the viewing area isn’t directly in front on the TV. For instance a TV may be mounted high in the corner of a bedroom then angled down towards the bed. These types of mounts are better for access as you can move the TV out from the wall, but the cables may be more visible. Disadvantages of this type of mount:
- Not as flat to the wall, so not as neat looking
- Be careful about location, it’s easy to hit your head on TVs mounted high in strange places
- Cables may be more visible and need to be longer if mounting in a high position
Adjustable Full Motion TV Mounts tend to only require one fixed point of mounting on the wall, so only one stud is required. This can make it easier to get the TV where you want it. I do definitely recommend this type for bedrooms.
Ceiling Mounts
Ceiling mounts are less common in homes than the previous two types, but can be useful in situations where walls aren’t suitable for TV Mounts. Most ceiling mounts consist of a ceiling mount bracket and plate with a vertical column hanging down to the actual TV mounting bracket. Usually cables can be run through this column. Disadvantages of this type of mount:
- All AV Cables will need to run through the ceiling and there will be limited space
- Some structure will need to be installed in the roof for the ceiling mount bracket to attach to if nothing existing
- Requires two people for safe installation
I’d only recommend this style if you need a TV in a location that just can’t be reached any other way.