Mounting Larger HDTV over small TV Niche

[shawn130c]

I currently have a TV Niche that only fits a 32 inch TV. I got a 49inch HDTV that I want to replace it with. Due to the location of the niche (between fireplace mantle and window), I also want to use a Dual Articulating Arm (13.5" Extension) TV Wall Mount Bracket.

Basic research says I need to mount a "small" piece of plywood over the hole to mount the arm to.

I want to over-engineer this for future tvs but keep the price reasonable since the TV was cheap.

Here is what I know:

1. Niche is about 37 inch wide. Will be posting some pictures later today, when I get home.
2. There are studs on each side of the niche, as well studs on the niche walls further in.
3. Total weight TV is 30 pounds + 15 pounds for Arm so the setup will need to hold 50 pounds to be safe.

Here is the arm: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002MYQTEI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00


Rough Idea:

Picture of Idea: http://i.imgur.com/W6LuXDN.png

1. Mount Plywood over the opening and screw in both sides into the side studs.
2. The mount comes with 2 or 3 inch lag bolts, if I use 3/4 inch plywood, I dont feel there is enough material for the bolt and to reduce any bowing, I want to add a "wood brace" to the back of the plywood that mounts the inside wall side of the niche.


Questions:
1. Research says to get some 3/4 inch plywood? I have a home depot/lowes by me, so is 3/4 plywood like this: Sanded Plywood (Common: 23/32 in. x 2 ft. x 4 ft.; Actual: 0.703 in. x 23.75 in. x 47.75 in.) or should I get something else? There is also 1inch "common board" Though not sure on what is stronger. I figure using common board, I can just mount two separate pieces where the back of the mounts go.

2. If going with plywood, to brace it what type of wood and how thick of wood should I get? I figure 2x4s that are used for studs would work, or can I get away with stuff that is 1 inch thick?

3. I have heard some good things about lag bolt alternatives. Spax Power Lag screws are cheap and I feel more comfortable with them over generic lag bolts, any major issues with them?

I know i am over thinking some of this, but any help is appreciated.

 

[NutBucket]

If you have an articulating mount maybe you don't need to bother with the plywood at all? Just attached the mount to the back of the niche? Hard to say without more detail (so I'll await the pics )

 

[shawn130c]

If you have an articulating mount maybe you don't need to bother with the plywood at all? Just attached the mount to the back of the niche? Hard to say without more detail (so I'll await the pics )

Lol, yeah I know TTIWWP , but back to front (depth) on the niche is 24 inches + a few more inches to clear the fireplace mantle. The mount I selected is 14 inches max extension. Though checking Amazon, the longer reach mounts are 2-3x more expensive and I feel plywood + shorter mount is safer compared to a longer reach mount that is always fully extended.

 

[NutBucket]

Ah, understood. Yeah, pics then more advice

 

[shawn130c]

Hope the picture helps. I made some quick notes on it:

Green is the width of the niche: 37 inches
Blue is the depth of the niche: 24 inches.
Height is 59 inches.
Gold lines are studs. On the inner side of the niche there are two studs.
Red is what is how I think the plywood should be mounted.
Pink a wood brace that I will attach to the plywood and attach to the niche using the studs on the inner side of the niche.

So the plywood will be supported by the L/R studs and then with the "pink" wood brace. I am thinking the mount will bolt into the stud + pink wood brace.

I also need to clear is the fireplace mantel. I am not sure yet if I am going to make sure the bottom of the TV is above it or just leave the arm alittle extended so it never hits it. Due to couch and tv viewing angles, I am going to want to angle the tv towards the right wall.

 

[NutBucket]

I don't think plywood will be sufficient for a 37 inch span. I would use 2x4s with lag bolts.

 

[shawn130c]

I don't think plywood will be sufficient for a 37 inch span. I would use 2x4s with lag bolts.

What size lag bolt should I go with? I am assuming 4.5 inch minimum ( 2inch (2x4 on wall) + .5 (drywall) + 2 inch for stud in wall) or is it best to not drive the bolt all the way through the stud inside the wall?

 

[NutBucket]

Correct. So figure 1.5" for the 2x4 (this isn't the old days of true-size lumber), maybe 1/2" for drywall. I'd say 3.5" should be good.

 

[spacejamz]

Isn't that going to look pretty strange with a 49" tv extending out of the niche with all of that open space underneath it?

 

[purbeast0]

Isn't that going to look pretty strange with a 49" tv extending out of the niche with all of that open space underneath it?

i was thinking that too.

OP have you considered a false wall to cover all of that empty space, with some 2x4 structure behind it so that you can mount to the false wall?

 

[shawn130c]

i was thinking that too.

OP have you considered a false wall to cover all of that empty space, with some 2x4 structure behind it so that you can mount to the false wall?

Honestly, I like stuff to look good but my laziness/cheapness outweighs it here. I think it would actually look best mounted over the fireplace and use a down and out mount to move it to a better position when being viewed. Then I would turn the niche into a cabinet or something. But I only paid $150 for this TV (BF Special) and the current TV does not get used much, so as long as it does not look horrible and secured I am happy...

Though the new TV is 26 inch high. Current TV is 19 inches high. I am not 100% sure how high I am going to mount it but I figure the gap between the bottom of the tv and top is not going to be much once i place a DVD Player or soundbar under it.

I should be picking up some 2x4 and some lag screws from HD in the next few days and should be mounting it this weekend. Any other cheap alternatives/ideas appreciated.

 

[spacejamz]

The ideal height for a TV is eye level when you are sitting down on your couch....is there no way to re-arrange the furniture in your living room to put the TV on a wall at this height?

 

[spacejamz]

you could just get a tv mount that bolts into one stud also so you don't need to brace it...

this one has a 20" reach so it should extend out far enough for you....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VMLFG3C?psc=1

this one is $10 cheaper...4.5 stars with 8971 reviews....

http://www.amazon.com/VideoSecu-ML5..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=05NHSGXBA21SSG670GGA

 

[shawn130c]

you could just get a tv mount that bolts into one stud also so you don't need to brace it...

this one has a 20" reach so it should extend out far enough for you....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VMLFG3C?psc=1

this one is $10 cheaper...4.5 stars with 8971 reviews....

http://www.amazon.com/VideoSecu-ML5..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=05NHSGXBA21SSG670GGA

I was actually thinking of doing that first when I was selecting a mount, but back of the niche to the front is 24 inches and then to clear the fireplace mantle would add a few more inches (i think ideal position would have the tv slightly over the mantle tilted down).

So It would take additional wood to push the mount further out and I figure it is more secure to use the mount I selected and plywood or two wood mounted vertically across the niche then to have a single arm mount fully extended 100% of the time. With using the front of the niche it only needs to extend a few inches to clear the mantle.

Regarding rearranging the furniture, my L shaped couch (two pieces hooked together/not separate) looked awkward when moving it away from the current corner to the be able to view the tv if i mounted on the blank wall on the opposite side of the fireplace/niche.

 

[spacejamz]

I was actually thinking of doing that first when I was selecting a mount, but back of the niche to the front is 24 inches and then to clear the fireplace mantle would add a few more inches (i think ideal position would have the tv slightly over the mantle tilted down).

So It would take additional wood to push the mount further out and I figure it is more secure to use the mount I selected and plywood or two wood mounted vertically across the niche then to have a single arm mount fully extended 100% of the time. With using the front of the niche it only needs to extend a few inches to clear the mantle.

Regarding rearranging the furniture, my L shaped couch (two pieces hooked together/not separate) looked awkward when moving it away from the current corner to the be able to view the tv if i mounted on the blank wall on the opposite side of the fireplace/niche.

According to your picture, there is a stud on the side of the niche (looks about 1/2 or 12" in)...can you attach the mount there and just angle the screen to face you?

 

[shawn130c]

According to your picture, there is a stud on the side of the niche (looks about 1/2 or 12" in)...can you attach the mount there and just angle the screen to face you?

Ah, didn't even think of that. The inner niche stud (on left side) to front is about 14 inches. Front of niche to front of fireplace mantle is 7 inches, so about 21 inches to clear any obstructions to store the tv flat when not in use (angled to the right when in use).

My measurements maybe alittle off, but ignoring the fact it wont allow the tv to be stored flat against the mantle/wall, I still don't think that mount is big enough.

Without any actual diagram of the mount it is an educated guess. But I think I run the risk of the side of the tv getting obstructed the right wall (mount will be on left wall) or the mantle.

Though it is cleaner than having the ends of the studs viewable. So if my current idea turns out horrible looking, that is still a good plan b.

 

[spacejamz]

are you want to turn the screen sideways (so it faces the right side of the niche) when you aren't using it? I don't think you would be able to do with with your original solution.

If you mounted on the right side of the niche, you could angle towards your couch (which I would assume is opposite the fireplace)...

were you going to paint the 2x4 the same color as your wall? bare wood would look pretty bad IMHO....

 

[shawn130c]

are you want to turn the screen sideways (so it faces the right side of the niche) when you aren't using it? I don't think you would be able to do with with your original solution.

If you mounted on the right side of the niche, you could angle towards your couch (which I would assume is opposite the fireplace)...

were you going to paint the 2x4 the same color as your wall? bare wood would look pretty bad IMHO....

I forgot to mention that I might have made a mistake about their being studs on the right side. I have a magnetic stud finder and could not find any nail/studs on the right (only left side).

I am not too familar with niche constructions, but since it is an exterior wall there should be something there right? I should be making some test holes to confirm though.

Yes on paint, though you may notice in the picture the paint or whatever is damaged on the bottom of right of niche so painting the wood + fixing that is the next project for that area. But if I did my math right, I think the TV (44 width) when flat on the wall will cover both sides of the 2x4 across the niche and it would only be noticeable when tilted right.

 

[Carson Dyle]

I would think there must be studs at either vertical corner of the niche. I think what I would do there is build an open 2x4 frame in the niche, with 2x4s in the center where you'll be bolting the TV mount. It'd not going to be visible, so wouldn't really need to be covered in plywood.

Bad ascii art:

+----------------+----+----------------+
|                |    |                |
|                |    |                |
|                |    |                |
+----------------+----+----------------+

Where you're looking at the edge (narrow dimension) of the 2x4s. Use lag bolts or just long wood screws to anchor the side 2x4s into the existing side studs. Don't get too carried away using gigantic screws - if you want to remove the frame in the future, you don't want holes that will be impossible to patch.

Set the center studs at a width that will let you anchor your TV mount to them with lag screws. The frame only needs to be tall enough for your TV mount.

 

[shawn130c]

I would think there must be studs at either vertical corner of the niche. I think what I would do there is build an open 2x4 frame in the niche, with 2x4s in the center where you'll be bolting the TV mount. It'd not going to be visible, so wouldn't really need to be covered in plywood.

Yes on vertical corner studs.

Regarding the "inner" 2x4 frame idea, what is basic way to connect the frame together? Not to the niche/wall studs, but I am assuming I want to connect each side of the frame together for added strength.

Steel angle pieces or just screw them together before mounting to the wall? I am probably over cautious , but my concern with the inner frame idea is that the front piece is not screwed into a wall stud but just the the side frame pieces.

 

[shawn130c]

TV is mounted and hasnt fallen yet

You guys were right about the 2x4s across the niche looking bad. Once I mocked it up with the studs on the left/right walls it would extend too much past the tv (I hoping tv would cover up the 2x4s on the walls but did not when looking at it from the front. So I mainly took Carson's idea with some minor modifications.

Here is a quick album in imgur: http://imgur.com/a/fkXPN (ignore the cable mess, still need to deal with that another time...)

1st pic is the the brace up. Left side is attached with lag screws, right side is attached with a lag screw and a snaptoggle on each horizontal 2x4.

Front 2x4s are screwed with lag screws and simpson strong ties on each corner.

2nd pic is the tv mount installed, I used joist hangers for the center wood because I did want a lag screw to interfere with the mount being flush on the wood.

3rd pic is view from the right corner of the couch.

4th pic is the left side.

Overall I am happy with it. I made a few mistakes that hopefully others will learn from:

1. I went flush with the niche to give me enough room to mount in studs on the inner front of the niche. So this still makes the wood viewable from certain angles. The snaptoggle worked alright on the non stud side, so I could have used a shorter brace and then used the snaptoggles on both sides to make up for a not hitting two studs.

2. Should have went with a 2x8 or something for the front instead of 2x4. Would have saved some time.

3. I used the spax lag screws. They worked nicely but it did split a small (few inches long) 2x4 piece that I was used for measuring/mockups. It says no predrilling, but I did it anyways for all the other holes. I am a little concerned that if there is an extreme amount of force on the bracket it will rip the 2x4, but that is a rare situation.

3. TV bracket screws were too long, used some extra washer. This kind of threw off the tilt but overall looks good when sitting on the couch.

4. I went with simpson strong-ties because they looked convenient and would not interfere with the front lag screws, but I had a hard time finding a small box for screws so I purchased a big box (100). Not overly expensive ($9), but only These are probably overkill but I liked the variety of brackets they offer, so if anyone knows an alternative to their #9 x 1-1/2 in screw that works nicely let me know.

Thanks again for the ideas.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Isn't that going to look pretty strange with a 49" tv extending out of the niche with all of that open space underneath it?

Nah, stick a shelf in there that extends out a few inches. That with the TV, the niche is pretty much moot.

 

[NutBucket]

Looks good OP. Now you have space to hide all the dvd players and such behind the TV.