Sanus Wall Mount

Mounting a flat-screen television or monitor on the wall can improve its appearance, help save floor and desk space and make the screen easier to look at. Wall mounts can even improve safety, as long as the mounting is done correctly. However, a badly mounted flat screen can look awkward, be unpleasant to watch and even be unsafe. Learning what to do and where to mount your flat screen can help you prevent problems and enjoy your television or monitor.

Plan the Location

It can be tempting to mount your flat-screen on the first convenient wall and be done with it. However, you'll get a better mount if you take some time to plan. Think about where you usually sit and how you use your television or monitor. Determine whether nearby windows will cast glare onto the screen. Consider putting a piece of paper or cardboard the same size and shape as the screen on the wall to help you decide whether your screen will look good in that location. This kind of planning will help you avoid some of the most common viewing problems with wall-mounted flat-screen devices.

Check Wall Structure

Flat-screens aren't as heavy as older tube-based televisions, but they can still weigh a lot--especially plasma flat-screens. If the wall bracket isn't mounted properly, it could be a safety hazard. According to MSNBC, injuries from falling flat-screens are on the rise, with televisions accounting for almost half of all injuries related to falling furniture. Most of the victims are children. Ensuring that the flat-screen is mounted directly into a wooden stud can help reduce the risk of an accident. Some flat-screens can also be mounted in concrete or brick, but they may require special hardware. Metal studs are inappropriate for flat-screen mounting, as they can't hold the devices up properly.

Plan Cable Routing

Televisions, DVD players and similar devices often have a lot of cabling, which can create an unsightly mess in a wall mount. After all, mounting your flat-screen on the wall removes the need for bulky entertainment centers, but it also means there's no furniture available to hide the cables. Some homeowners run their cables inside the wall. This requires careful cutting and drilling to avoid electrical wires and plumbing, but is often the most aesthetic option. Cables can also be run along the wall in conduit or using cable fasteners. Plan your cable routing before you mount the flat-screen TV for the best-looking result.