Fireplace TV Expertise

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Mounting a TV Over a Fireplace

Mounting a TV above a fireplace is a clean way to save wall space, but it introduces risks that most NYC renters and co-op owners underestimate. Here are the five mistakes our technicians see most often—and the fixes that keep your warranty intact.

Wall-mounted TV above a fireplace installed by ArtFixPro

Top Fireplace Mounting Mistakes

Protect your screen from heat, height, and hardware issues before the first pilot light clicks on.

Heat & Vent Exhaust

  • Measure wall temperatures 20 minutes into a burn; anything above 100 F is risky for modern OLEDs.
  • Use hidden heat shields or mantel extenders when vents reroute hot air sideways.
  • Keep the TV on a separate circuit so heaters and displays don’t trip breakers together.

Mounting Too High

  • Align the screen within 15 degrees of seated eye level.
  • Choose tilt or full-motion mounts to angle the TV downward when mantels force higher placements.
  • Test with painter’s tape across different lighting conditions.

Cable Routing & Power

  • NYC code forbids lamp cords in chase cavities—use rated in-wall kits or matching raceways.
  • Fiber or active HDMI cables survive longer in warm cavities; route them through conduit before tightening the mount.
  • Leave service loops for future soundbars or streaming boxes.

Mount Stability

  • Inspect masonry for voids and spec sleeve anchors with a 25% safety factor.
  • Reinforce studs flanking the firebox if they’re undersized or kiln-dried scrap.
  • Tighten fasteners in a star pattern to keep plates flush on uneven stone.

Skipping Final Audits

  • Run all components for 30 minutes and check for hot spots, hum, or sagging cables.
  • Photograph serial numbers and anchor positions for insurance documentation.
  • When in doubt, book ArtFixPro’s fireplace team for COIs, permits, and inspections.
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