Sanus Wall Mount

Mounting a television on the wall can help free up floor space in a room, as well as give the room a nice, finished home-theater look. Though the final look may be one of elegance and simplicity, the actual process of wall-mounting a television can be intimidating. With advance planning, however, you can be watching a beautifully wall-mounted television in no time.

Before Starting

Before mounting your flat panel TV to the wall, you want to make sure you are capable of doing the job correctly. This means having the correct tools, planning where the television will be located and having the confidence in yourself to get the job done right. Anyone who is able to hang shelving on the wall should also be able to mount a television.

Tools necessary for this project include a pencil, level, measuring tape, stud finder, power drill, screwdriver and ratchet with sockets. You may also want to use a blanket to protect the TV screen during the mounting process.

Planning and Preparation

Planning and preparation can be the most time-consuming step in the process of mounting a television on the wall. Deciding where to mount the TV at is not always a quick and simple task. Many things must be considered, such as the room's lighting and the TV's mounting height. You do not want to place your television on a wall where sunlight or artificial lighting will cause excessive screen glare. Also, the television should be mounted so that the middle of the screen is just about at eye level when viewers are seated.

This is also a good time to consider how you will run the wires from your TV. You usually have the option of running them inside the wall or through the use of a cable management track.

Once you've decided on an ideal location, use a stud finder to determine the location of the stud behind the wall. Use a pencil or masking tape to mark off where studs are. It is important to drill your holes directly in the center of the stud for a secure mounting job. Most homes have wood studs behind walls, which work best for TV wall mounts. Some homes, however, have brick, concrete or metal studs. Brick and concrete studs are harder to drill through and may require the purchase of additional hardware, such as a special bit for your drill. Metal studs are generally not strong enough to support the weight of a television. If you home has only metal studs, you may want to reconsider wall-mounting your television.

Mount and Enjoy

Install the wall portion of the mounting bracket and check to ensure that it is level. If you plan to run the wires through the wall, drill the hole for this before you hang the television. Next, attach the other part of the mount to the TV (using the blanket underneath), hang the TV and run the cables.

Have someone help you lift the TV and position it correctly over the mount. After connecting the mount correctly, it is wise to check once more with a level to make sure the TV is not crooked. This is also the time to make any minor adjustments with mounts that offer tilting or swiveling capabilities.

Be sure to attach the power cord and all A/V cables to the back of the television set. You are now ready to sit back and enjoy your newly mounted TV.