lcd tv above gas fireplace

15 years ago

We are debating on whether or not to place our TV above the fireplace in our great room. The room is 23'8x13'11. Any advice or suggestions if this is or is not a good idea?

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Comments (11)

gmnolen
15 years ago
Ours is there and we have no problems. Some friends of ours planned their new build for the same set up.
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Caron D
15 years ago
We've had a LCD TV mounted above our fireplace for 3 years. The TV is about 2' above the top of the fireplace and our room is about 20'x30' - no problems whatsoever with the TV.
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lisa_mocha
15 years ago
Hi there,

DH & I had the same debate...

I really didn't want the tv over the FP as I didn't want the tv to be the focal point, but guess who did, LOL.

We had concerns with the viewing angle. It's not as comfortable as looking at watching TV at eye level, but it's worked out fine. We still might get it mounted on one of the brackets that can tilt down. (Our room not quite as large as yours)

Depending on the style of your fireplace, maybe you could have TV concealed by pocket doors above FP.9Do you have pics of your fireplace?) Another neat idea is having a piece of art that comes down over TV when not in use-operated by remote control. Not sure where you buy...or what this costs, but Candace Olsen uses quite often.

A pic of set-up in our room...
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stacieo926
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks! Lisa I do not have pics because we are in the process of building. I wanted to put TV above fireplace because I like to entertain a lot, especially during football games. The wall above the fireplace can be seen from kitchen and morning room so I thought that it might be a good place. I was just afraid that it would be too high when watching it in great room.
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thingsthatinspire
15 years ago
Lisa, your TV above the fireplace is SO beautiful - I like how you have it positioned on a stand. It looks like a piece of art, and the height is great.

I just did a huge blog post on this very topic, given that the only good place to put the TV in the family room of the house we are designing is above the fireplace. Normally I don't love this look, but I found some pictures that show it can work. I wish I had Lisa's picture when I did this post - I can still put it in with your permission, Lisa!

Such an interesting topic - I think the traditionalists don't like to see TVs out in the open, but flat screens make things so much easier.

Here is a link that might be useful: TV placement blog post
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Melissa Shelton
15 years ago
We had ours above the FP in our last house for 3 years....no problems at all.

In our new home, we have one above the FP as well and we have it on an extending arm so it can be pulled out a little and turned. It is working great!

Melissa
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dgo1223
15 years ago
I don't know if it's true, but I read that when you put a tv over a fireplace like that, it immediately voids the warranty. IDK
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haley_comet
15 years ago
We just installed a new gas fireplace and purchased a new LCD and this was a big debate with my DH and I for sometime.

We decided to not put it above the fireplace - to me it just looks too high and awkward, uncomfortable for us for viewing and also I feel like the tv takes away from the beauty of the fireplace. Also I can't see how heat doesn't effect the tv?

I am so glad we separated the two pieces.
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lisa_mocha
15 years ago
I had also been concerned with heat rising from the gas FP affecting the TV, but we've had this for a year now and no issues at all. I think the TV is just back enough on the mantle that the rising heat doesn't hit it directly.

I'm not sure if it would affect the warranty...
We had inquired about this when we purchased the TV indicated it was being placed over the FP and the salesman indicated that's what most people were doing and should not be an issue.

thingsthatinspire-Thanks so much for the compliment. This arrangement/set-up is nothing fancy when I take a look at some of the beautiful pics posted on your site. You're certainly welcome to use this pic if you'd like:)
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willowdecor
15 years ago
We have a LCD TV over our new gas fireplace. I spent many hours researching this very topic! I found in my gas fireplace installation manual a break out of how wide the mantel needs to be based upon the height of the TV placement. My fireplace manufacturer said my mantel needed to be at least 8" wide for the height of my TV (each manufacturer is different based on BTU's etc) The heat rises but is deflected out and away from the TV. I purchased a digital thermometer and sure enough it stays room temp by the actual TV and much warmer directly in front to the gas unit. Here is a link to see the fireplace and TV - Scroll down to see the before and after pictures.

Here is a link that might be useful: Willow's Fireplace
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melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
15 years ago
I think you can have some type of heat barrier installed if you're concerned about heat. I just saw a model home over the weekend where they built a large recess above the gas FP, probably for tvs!

The FP was on (oh and the room was quite comfy) and the top of the mantle and recessed area felt cool b/c (as I understood it) there was some type of barrier in place. Also I agree you should mount the tv on a bracket that can angle down.
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