How to Wall Mount a Plasma TV

MetroReporter

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posted on 19 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Whether you’ve just made the big purchase or you’re already a proud owner who’s just looking for a change, figuring out how to mount your plasma TV to the wall can seem overwhelming. Don’t worry! We’re here to help you get started with easy instructions on what to buy, where to drill, and more. Read on to learn how to secure your screen to its new spot safely and securely.

Steps

Purchase a wall mount from a reputable plasma TV dealer, and ensure that it fits your TV. Ensure you are purchasing the correct wall mount for your TV AND for the type of wall you will be mounting your TV on.

Consider what you will be doing with your cables. If you are mounting your TV on a stud wall it is possible to thread your cable down the space behind the wallboard. Running the cables this way looks great but involves a lot of effort. An alternative would be to use a surface mount conduit. There are several easy to fit conduits available on the market that can produce some outstanding results.

For mounting your TV on a stud wall follow the next few steps. Other wall type require that you follow the mount manufactures guidelines. Locate the wall studs in the wall you wish to hang the TV on. It is critical that the screws holding the TV to the wall are screwed into the solid wood of a stud, not just into the wallboard. The best way to find a stud is with a stud finder, which is available at any hardware store for less than $20. Be sure to find the center of the stud for the best results. When you find the center of a stud, mark it with pencil on the wall. Measure the vertical distance between the screw holes on the mount. After deciding how high to mount the TV, mark with pencil where you will place each screw. Double check that the mount will be level using a level. It is crucial that you mount it level. It will be hard to fix after the fact if you do it poorly, so please measure twice. Use big screws. Try #14 x 1.5 inch screws. For #14 screws, drill a pilot hole 13/64" in diameter first.

Attach the mount with the screws. Double check to ensure that it is level.

If you are running your cables through the wall, now would be a good time to drill a hole into the wall to run your cables.

Hang the TV on the mount. Usually, this involves attaching rubber/plastic mounts to the back of the TV, placing them through holes in the mount, and letting it settle into place.