How To Mount A TV: A Step-By-Step Guide By Bat City TV
In Austin, Texas, you’ll discover that both the local bats and Bat City TV share a special expertise in the art of hanging out. The city is home to North America’s largest urban bat colony, so it’s no wonder they are often the star of local conversations. To get a glimpse of the expert hangout skills of our flying friends, you can pay a visit to the Congress Avenue Bridge, where around 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats reside during their peak season from March to October. As evening approaches, countless Austinites and tourists gather around the bridge to watch the nightly bat flight, a truly spectacular show.
While the bats are the wildlife celebrities mastering the hangout scene, Bat City TV is a local company known for their expertise in mounting televisions and staying on top of their game. Just like the bats flocking from their roosts beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge, Bat City TV ensures your television is hung to perfection, creating an ideal viewing experience in your home.
In today’s post, we’re excited to share a detailed step-by-step guide to help you mount your TV securely and professionally. At Bat City TV, “We Keep Austin Hanging,” and even though we’re delighted to provide our expertise, we also want to empower you to do it yourself!
Tools you'll need
Right off the bat, here’s what you’ll need to get started:
Stud Finder
Drill
Screwdriver
Tape Measure
Drywall Anchors (if needed)
TV Wall Mount Kit
Pencil
Level
Each tool plays a crucial role in the process. Now, let’s jump into it!
Step 1: Choose your location
Before you drive in the first screw, it’s essential to choose the right location for your TV. There are several factors to consider when deciding where to place your TV for optimal viewing. Let’s discuss these elements in detail.
One important thing to think about is the size of your TV relative to the size of your room. A common mistake is buying a TV that is too large for the space you have. A TV that’s too big could overwhelm the room and provide a less-than-ideal viewing experience – you don’t want to
feel like you’re sitting in the front row at the movie theater every time you watch TV. Conversely, a TV that’s too small might make it hard for everyone in the room to view the screen. As a general guideline, you should plan for at least 1.5 times the screen diagonal length between the TV and your seating.
Another crucial point to consider is the natural light in the room to avoid glare on your TV screen. Although most modern TVs come with an anti-reflective coating, too much sunlight can still cause distracting glares or make the screen look washed out. When selecting a spot, avoid
mounting the TV opposite large windows, if possible, or consider adding window treatments to control the light. What if your perfect TV location isn’t quite perfect? You can add versatility to your TV placement by investing in a swivel TV mount. Unlike traditional flat mounts, a swivel mount allows you to adjust the TV’s angle for better viewing, even after it’s been installed. This way, you can ensure the best possible viewing experience based on the seating arrangement and any given time of day, regardless of where you’ve mounted the TV. Plus, these mounts allow for easier access to ports and cables behind your television. Choosing the right location for your TV is the first and invaluable step on your TV-mounting journey, a step that sets the stage for a perfect home viewing experience.
Step 2: locate the studs
Identifying the stud — the wooden support frames behind your drywall — is an essential step in mounting your TV. That’s because these studs provide a sturdy area to secure your TV mount.
how to use a stud finder
Operating a stud finder is a pretty straightforward process. Start by calibrating it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once ready, place the stud finder against the wall and begin to slowly slide it across the surface. As you move the device, it will detect the density change when it hovers over a stud. Most stud finders signal this detection either visually, audibly, or both. Remember to mark the edges of each stud you locate with a pencil. Double-check your work by moving the stud finder over the same area again to ensure you have the correct placement.
drilling into the studs
Once you’ve ascertained the stud’s placement, drilling into it is your next task. It’s generally a good idea to pre-drill holes for the mounting screws. This step not only makes it easier to drive in the screws but also reduces the risk of accidentally splitting the wood.
Choose a drill bit that’s smaller in diameter than your screws but long enough to go through the drywall and into the stud. Position the bit at your marked spot on the wall, and start to drill slowly, applying steady pressure. Repeat this process for each screw hole.
finding wall studs without a stud finder
If you don’t have a stud finder, don’t worry! You can still identify the studs using a few traditional methods:
- Knocking Test – Tap on the wall with your knuckles, listening for a change in sound. The areas over the studs produce a higher, solid sound compared to the hollow sound of the areas between studs.
- Electric Outlets and Light Switches – These are usually attached to studs, so you can measure 16 inches to either side as a starting point.
- Visual Clues – Small nail or screw indents (known as nail pops) on your wall can also indicate studs’ locations.
Remember, correct stud location is crucial to safely and securely mount your TV. So, take your time with this step and ensure that you’re confident in your stud locations before moving on to the next step
step 3: attach the mounting bracket to your tv
Before attaching the mounting bracket to your TV, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the components included in your TV wall mount kit. You’ll find two main parts: a large flat piece called the mounting bracket (or TV bracket) and another piece called the wall plate. The mounting bracket attaches to the back of your TV, while the wall plate affixes to the wall.
To attach the mounting bracket:
Inspect your TV – Examine the back of your TV to locate the standard VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) mounting holes, which are typically four screw holes arranged in a square or rectangle pattern.
Line up the bracket – Carefully align the mounting bracket with the mounting holes on your TV. Ensure that the bracket is sitting securely and flush against the back of the television.
Attach the bracket – Using the appropriate screws provided in your wall mount kit, secure the mounting bracket to the back of your TV. Be cautious not to over tighten the screws as this could cause damage to your television.
With the mounting bracket securely fastened to your TV, you’re one step closer to a
professionally mounted television.
step 4: attach the wall plate
Next, you’ll install the wall plate—the other crucial component of the wall mount kit—onto the wall. Since you’ve already marked and pre-drilled your screw holes in Step 2, the process is now easier and more straightforward.
position the wall plate
Carefully align the wall plate with the screw holes you’ve marked on the wall, ensuring that it lines up with the stud locations.
Level the wall plate
Using a level, check that the wall plate is perfectly horizontal. Proper leveling is a critical step in guaranteeing that your TV will hang straight.
attach the wall plate
Secure the wall plate firmly to the wall by driving the screws provided in your mounting kit into the pre-drilled holes. Make sure the screws are tightened well so that the wall plate is snug against the wall.
By following these guidelines, the TV bracket and wall plate should now be expertly fastened and ready to support your television. You can move on to the next step of the TV mounting process with confidence.
TIP
If there aren’t any studs in your ideal TV location, you can use drywall anchors instead. Be sure to use high-quality anchors rated to hold the weight of your TV.
Step 5: hang your tv
This step is where your hard work starts to pay off — hanging the TV on the wall. But, due to the weight of most TVs, this can be a bit tricky. Here’s how to do it safely:
get help
TVs are not just heavy but can be awkward to lift and maneuver. Enlist a friend or family member to help with this step.
Lift the tv
With one person on each side, lift the TV towards the wall plate. Be gentle and careful not to damage the screen.
align and mount
Align the mounting bracket attached to your TV with the wall plate on the wall. Most brackets and wall plates have corresponding rails or hooks that slide into each other.
secure the tv
Once positioned correctly, secure the TV to the wall plate as per your mount’s instructions. This often involves tightening security screws to lock the TV into place.
step 6: Make adjustments
With your TV on the wall, take a step back and examine:
levelness
Using your level, confirm that your TV is perfectly horizontal. If it appears tilted, carefully adjust the mounting bracket until the level confirms it’s straight.
height and viewing angle
Check the TV at various points in the room to ensure there are no viewing obstructions.
Don’t hesitate to make necessary adjustments for an optimal viewing experience — it’s easier tomake these tweaks now rather than later.
step 7: organize the cables
Your final step involves making everything neat and tidy.
assess your cables
Before you begin organizing, make sure all your cables reach their respective ports. You don’t want to tidy them up only to find one doesn’t reach.
bundle and tidy
Use cable ties or Velcro strips to bundle your cords together and keep them from becoming tangled.
hide the cables
To maintain a clean look, “hide” your cables. This can be as simple as using adhesive clips to run them along the wall or baseboard or as complex as installing a cable management system that will obscure them from view entirely. Cable concealer kits can also
help blend your cords into your wall color.
These last steps are about refining your setup: fine-tuning the TV’s position for the best viewing experience and organizing the cables for a clean and professional look. These details will elevate your TV from simply hanging on the wall to being a true enhancement to your room.
Tip: Be sure to double-check that all your connections are secure (HDMI, power, etc.) before
managing cable efficiently.
things to consider if you make a mistake
Don’t fret if you’ve made a mistake! Here’s what to do:
Misaligned mount? — Just adjust accordingly. Use the level tool to keep things straight.
Hit a snag while drilling? — You might’ve hit a pipe or wire. Stop drilling immediately and call a professional for help.
TV not level even after adjustments? — Check your wall plate—all screws must be tightened correctly, and ensure your TV brackets are well in line with your plate.
By following these steps, you’ll have your TV mounted in no time! Remember that patience and correct tool use are keys to success. The added complement to any room obtained by hanging your TV is well worth the effort.
Moreover, don’t forget: Bat City TV is available to assist with any professional setup needs. “We Keep Austin Hanging”, and we’re happy to help you hang your new TV.
Stay confident, and happy hanging!
