Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - TV over the fireplace
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disalvop47
06-03-07, 05:14 PM
Hi. I want to put a flat screen television over my fireplace. The fireplace is a corner wood burning fireplace, and I would have to build a shelf for the tv to sit on. I want to know if someone could tell me the code for things like this. How far away from the fireplace should the shelf be, as well as what fire-retardant material I would have to make the shelf of. Thank you
twelvepole
06-03-07, 05:58 PM
Building codes vary from area to area, so you would have to check with local building inspector re: the distance to place combustible items from a fireplace. Another concern is the effects of heat on the TV.
Musikman212
06-03-07, 06:30 PM
I've been in the fireplace business ( wood and gas) for nearly thirty years now and I've seen many many people install TVs over their fireplace. It always seems like a good idea at the time, but there are a couple of big drawbacks that you should take into consideration:
1) When the television is mounted that high enough on the wall so as to not be effected by the heat, you'll likely find that you're always looking slightly up at it, much like sitting in the front row of a movie theater. It tends to get old, for most people, very quickly.
2) When the fire is lit the flickering flames from the fireplace tend to distract you and draw your eye away from the television. This too can become quite annoying, for some people, in short order.
Most of the televisions that I've seen installed above a fireplace have been removed within a few short months.
Just food for thought.
1) When the television is mounted that high enough on the wall so as to not be effected by the heat, you'll likely find that you're always looking slightly up at it, much like sitting in the front row of a movie theater. It tends to get old, for most people, very quickly.
2) When the fire is lit the flickering flames from the fireplace tend to distract you and draw your eye away from the television. This too can become quite annoying, for some people, in short order.
Most of the televisions that I've seen installed above a fireplace have been removed within a few short months.
Just food for thought.
goldstar
06-04-07, 02:55 PM
Excellent thoughts. I agree.
chris8796
06-08-07, 02:20 PM
I plan on moving my fireplace (when I change to gas) so I don't have to put the TV above it. If you'll be watching alot of TV in there you'll want it at eye level while sitting for the best view. I would only do it above the FP if you sit greater than 15' from the TV or you don't watch very much TV.