Hi Candace, Your first stop is going to be to check the factory specifications for the fireplace that you are buying. Find out what they say your mantel clearance is... or it could also be called clearance to combustibles. There is usually a formula that relates how far out the mantel is to how far above the fireplace a combustible i.e. wood mantel can go. Then you can estimate how low your TV can be positioned.

Use some painters tape to map this out on your wall, then get a chair in place it where you think your sofa will be. Are you going to be comfortable viewing the TV at this height?

If it is too high then you may have two options. 1. Change out your wood mantel idea for a contemporary non combustible stone or concrete material. This product will help deflect the air heat generated by the gas appliance and allow you to drop down the mantel height. 2. If this is a zero clearance fireplace, try using one that has a Heat Shift or heat management product like the Valor H5 or Valor linear series. This system keeps the wall above the fireplace cool and allows you to place your combustible products and TVs much lower on your wall. It's a great solution that can allow you to create beautiful designs with non combustible finishes around your fireplace. Best thing is that with a bit of planning it won't break your budget.

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