Cool wall systems and how they work
This particular aspect of a fireplace has many names. Cool Wall system, Cool Wall kit, Passive heat, Heat Distribution, Ducted Passive heat, HeatSmart, Heat out, the list goes on.
The best and most accurate name in my opinion is the Cool Wall System. Which refers to exactly what it is doing. It’s Keeping your wall cool. Allowing you to have a tv above a fireplace. These systems allow very little heat to radiate through the wall to the mounted tv. This also goes for electronic devices, artwork candles etc.
The Cool wall systems either hook up directly to the top of the unit with flexible ducting connected to a plenum box framed into the top of your wall, where the excess heat is expelled rather than trapped behind the wall. This fireplace heat then accumulates over long periods and can degrade and damage electronic devices, making a TV above a fireplace malfunction.
Passive heat systems, another form of Cool Wall system, are non-ducted and will help reduce excess heat behind your TV/wall. When I say non-ducted, I am referring to ducting other than your primary venting for your gas fireplace, as shown in the photo below of a ducted system.
Notice the top of the photo, the framed-out opening for the metal box visible within the framing. This is referred to as a plenum box. The cool wall system for every fireplace manufacturer is going to have a framing requirement for their ducted system or passive heat system.
The above photo shows a Valor fireplace equipped with a ducted cool wall installed. A ducted cool wall system will reduce high heat buildups behind the wall better than a passive system will. It doesn’t allow the heat to sit behind the wall; it’s ducted and gives the heat off of the gas fireplace an avenue to expel out of the plenum box. The next photo shows a nonducted system, which will allow you to mount a TV above a fireplace, but the wall may be slightly warmer than the ducted systems.
The photo above is a non ducted side wall passive heat system. Most fireplace manufacturers have a side and front profile cool wall system. This is an example above of a Passive heat side application at frame stage. There is no ducting connecting this to the fireplace.
When the wall is covered and finished, heat will release through a finish grate, keeping high heat from accumulating in the fireplace wall.
How High to Mount a TV Above a Fireplace
Every fireplace type is different, and every manufacturer has their own beliefs on what height to put a tv above a fireplace. The best practice ALWAYS is to adhere to your fireplace manual.
The minimum distance i have personally seen a tv mounted above a wood burning fireplace. It would be about 24-26 inches above, accompanied by a fireplace mantel to deflect heat.
Now remember this is a brick and mortar style masonry wood burning fireplace. This fireplace type can get extremely hot, which requires many homeowners mounting a tv above the fireplace to be much higher than gas or an electric fireplace.
Gas fireplaces will ALWAYS have a manufacturer recommendation for safe mounting distances from the opening of the fireplace. If you are remodeling or building a new one, I think a TV above the fireplace is critical.
I love my TV, and I love fireplaces. So, choosing the correct fireplace is crucial to having an enjoyable TV and fireplace experience.
Concerns about mounting a tv over a fireplace where electronics and wires are concerned.
Electronics and wires behind the wall should be kept neat, possibly zip-tied together through the wall, as well as any type of conduit that can be used to shield electrical wires in the fireplace wall. You don’t want a rat nest of wires in the wall, where your hot fireplace exhaust venting may burn any wires.
Other concerns regarding a TV mounted over a fireplace: What type of fuel is it? If it’s wood, err on the side of caution and go higher rather than lower. The same goes for any fuel type, really. If your fireplace is not double glass or does not have a cool wall system, then a mantel beam or mantel surround is a necessity.
Double glass fireplaces( an expensive fireplace type that has two layers of glass and no screen) can be brought down as close as 3 inches with some manufacturers. With Cool wall systems, the lowest I have seen has been 12″ above the fireplace glass. Electric fireplace types give off very little heat, and you can mount a TV above a fireplace around 4 inches as well. Of course always refer to your manufacturer’s manual for reference.
What Size TV is Best Above a Fireplace?
The saying around the shop goes as follows –
The Fireplace should be wider than the TV. If the TV is wider than the fireplace, then a Fireplace mantel needs to be installed, and it needs to be wider or the same width as the TV.
When the Fireplace is not as wide as the TV, it looks lopsided. The fireplace mantel will help balance the two, sort of blending the TV mantel and fireplace together. See the photo below, and picture it without the Box Beam Mantel installed, and you will see what I mean.
Without the mantel in the above photo, the TV will look lopsided paired with the smaller gas fireplace. By adding the mantel, you blend the three together, making them more aesthetically pleasing.
Mounting a TV Over a Fireplace Depends on the Type of Fireplace and Clearances
Wood burning fireplace or masonry fireplace have the highest TV clearance requirements. Then Pellet fireplaces, Gas and lastly electric fireplaces with the lowest clearance possible. Some Gas fireplaces with double glass allow for tv installation directly above the glass viewing area. Still, these fireplaces typically start at $16-19,000 and can even go up to 20-30,000 dollars as well depending on the glass height and length of the fireplace.
Mounting a TV Into Brick or Stone Fireplace Facings
Mounting a TV into brick or stone can be done; it just requires special drill bits for making pilot holes into the brick and using tapcons to secure the mounting bracket or lag bolts and heavier-duty products to keep itself secure in the brick or stone. You can also use a grinder to cut out a section of stacked stone slightly larger than the TV bracket you plan to use and then secure the tv to the wall behind the stone.
Fireplace Facing Materials and TV Wall Mounts
If you know ahead of time that you will be mounting a tv above fireplace. Plan out or let your contractor know ahead of time so they can plan to leave a section of the fireplace facing open above the fireplace for electrical installation and to make the tv bracket easier to install.
How Do I Protect My TV From Fireplace Heat?
Gas fireplaces have optional blowers that can help push heat built up inside the firebox out into the room, keeping heat from rising behind the fireplace wall. Wood-burning fireplaces, unfortunately, do not have this option. You will almost always need to have a fireplace surround or box beam installed above wood-burning fireplaces.
As described above, cool wall systems are the best option available with gas fireplaces for keeping a TV above the fireplace cool.
Mounting TVs above a Fireplace Safely
When in doubt, call a handyman! when you mount a TV above your fireplace, there are things to consider. Don’t recess your television unless you know what the vent run is going to be; be sure you are still able to maintain the clearance to combustibles for the venting.
IMPORTANT Another issue that arises is that the recess creates a shelf within your fireplace wall. This can be a safety hazard as it traps excess heat beneath it and can possibly cause a fire.
The furthest back a recessed TV mount can be is 4 inches with the manufacturers I have personally dealt with. Your fireplace manufacturer manual specific to your fireplace model will have the details regarding recesses above a fireplace.
Many people want to recess their television in the wall, but this brings the television even closer to the high heat radiating from the fireplace venting.
Notice in the photo above, the television is recessed in the fireplace wall. This is an Ortal Wilderness fireplace, and the current setup and way it was framed allow for this to be recessed.
Drawbacks of Watching a TV Mounted Above a Fireplace mantel
The main drawback is the angle of your neck when watching tv. When sitting on the couch and not having your tv low enough can be uncomfortable over time as you are looking up at your tv rather than naturally at eye level. This can lead to neck strain or neck pain and a less enjoyable time in front of the fire.
What to do if you can’t mount a television over your fireplace
Depending on the fireplace type, and reason you cant mount the TV over the fireplace you may need to mount the tv on another wall in the room.
If its a gas fireplace, and you cant mount the tv above the fireplace because of how hot it is getting. Look into having a blower, or fan kit installed to help push heat out before it rises up behind the wall.
Using a Full-Range Motion TV Mount for TVs Above a Fireplace
Full-Range motion TV mounts are a great idea as a TV mount style above a brick fireplace. It allows you to mount your TV above the brick fireplace, and while using the fireplace you can pull your tv out from the wall and move it beside the fireplace, keeping it from the high heat rising from the fire.
What is the best surface for a wall-mounted TV above a fireplace?
Coming in at number one for me personally! SHEETROCK! The imperfect smooth finish of drywall and a tv just looks so appealing to me.
Can You Place a TV on a Fireplace Mantel or Shelf?
Yes you can but first measure the shelf and mantel depth, and the depth of your TV. Remember as well, heat rises the function of a mantel or shelf is to deflect heat from rising up to your art, tv, or candles above. So if you do put the tv on the shelf or mantel be sure the mantel or shelf extend further than the tv.
I would try for at least 2 inches further out than the TV itself. Refer to manufacturers manual on clearance guidelines as the recommendation above may not align with your model of fireplace.
TV Weight is a Heavy Concern for a Fireplace Beam
Some TVs are heavier than others! I would not set a TV on top of a box beam or shelf-style mantel unless you know for sure what kind of mounting brackets were used on the mantel. I have seen some pretty horrible beam installs in my years of experience. A fireplace surround has legs and a top supporting the weight of most anything added to it. Mounting a TV to the actual wall into studs with the appropriate mounting brackets.