Wall mounting advice

[DT4K]

I'm getting a 55" LCD that I'm going to mount over the fireplace.

The issue I've got is that there used to be a tv nook in that spot, but it was covered with drywall because we didn't need it. It was too small for a large flat panel anyway.
So instead of having the normal 16" spacing between studs, there is a gap of 39" between the two studs that formed the left and right sides of the tv nook.

I found an extra wide bracket at monoprice that is 45" wide and looks like it would work, but I'm not sure if having the plate attached with bolts 39" apart is going to be an issue.

Here is the one I'm looking at:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...082801&p_id=6663&seq=1&format=3#specification

What do you guys think?

 

[Anubis]

It would prob work, however provided there are studs on the other side or the original TV nook you could build a support that you screw into the wall studs out of 2x4s and attach a normal bracket to it.

basically if the orig opening is a rectangle, run 2 2x4s horizontally at the top and bottom screwing them into the studs and then attach 2 vertical supports to the new horizontal pieces at the correct distance for a normal mount think a # sign that got smushed

 

[DT4K]

I think the original opening is a square, about 40" x 40".
When we had it covered up, they framed the inside with 2x4's and used that to attach the new piece of drywall.
I'm going to have to cut a hole in the drywall to get to the outlet that's inside. But I don't think I want to open the whole thing up again because the TV isn't tall enough to cover it up.

 

[bruceb]

Open it up and reframe the studs so they are 16 inch on center.
Then you can put drywall back up and install a normal wall bracket
for the tv. Also, in most areas, it is illegal to have a power receptacle
within the wall. You need to move it so the front of it is on the outside
of the drywall, like a normal wall outlet would be. You won't see tv power
wire as it can be tied up behind the set.

 

[nickbits]

Open it up and reframe the studs so they are 16 inch on center.
Then you can put drywall back up and install a normal wall bracket
for the tv. Also, in most areas, it is illegal to have a power receptacle
within the wall. You need to move it so the front of it is on the outside
of the drywall, like a normal wall outlet would be. You won't see tv power
wire as it can be tied up behind the set.

this

 

[DT4K]

Open it up and reframe the studs so they are 16 inch on center.
Then you can put drywall back up and install a normal wall bracket
for the tv. Also, in most areas, it is illegal to have a power receptacle
within the wall. You need to move it so the front of it is on the outside
of the drywall, like a normal wall outlet would be. You won't see tv power
wire as it can be tied up behind the set.

If I open up a portion of the nook, then it's no longer "within the wall".
I'm thinking I'll open up part of it, but keep it a small enough opening that it's covered by the TV.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

If I open up a portion of the nook, then it's no longer "within the wall".
I'm thinking I'll open up part of it, but keep it a small enough opening that it's covered by the TV.

You're installing a 55' tv that cost how much? Don't go cheap and lazy ass now.

 

[bearxor]

Ceiling mount an option?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10828&cs_id=1082814&p_id=6531&seq=1&format=2

If not, I'd definitely reframe or install a shelf.

 

[DT4K]

You're installing a 55' tv that cost how much? Don't go cheap and lazy ass now.

I'm not trying to go cheap and lazy.

I just wanted to know if it would be a problem to have the mount attached to studs that are 39" apart.
If putting in another 2x4 is necessary to make it safe, I'll do it. If not, then I won't.

 

[bruceb]

Odds are 39 inches apart will be ok. The set only weighs 200LBs or so especially for an LCD model. But I would add the other stud, just for peace of mind.

 

[Corn]

Before you mount that TV over the fireplace. Grab a chair and stare up at where the TV is going to go for about 10 minutes, you'll probably change your mind about putting the TV up that high..........

 

[DT4K]

Odds are 39 inches apart will be ok. The set only weighs 200LBs or so especially for an LCD model. But I would add the other stud, just for peace of mind.

It weighs 58 lb. It's the KDL-55EX501.

Before you mount that TV over the fireplace. Grab a chair and stare up at where the TV is going to go for about 10 minutes, you'll probably change your mind about putting the TV up that high..........

If the setup of the rest of the room wasn't a factor, I'd mount it lower.
This is an open living room area that really only has 2 walls. Right now, we've got a 50" LCD RPTV on an entertainment center on one wall and the fireplace is on the other wall. So we only have 2 sides of the space for seating. By putting the new TV over the fireplace, we can have seating on 3 sides of the square and the room will flow much better.

My wife has wanted a TV over the fireplace for a long time and I agree that it makes the room work better overall.

I actually cut out cardboard in the dimensions of the TV, put it over the fireplace, sat down on the couch and stared at it for awhile. I think it will be fine. The fireplace isn't super high, we're going to mount it only a couple inches above the mantle, and the seating is far enough away that you don't feel like you are looking up much.

 

[DT4K]

I think I will go ahead and add at least one 2x4.
I could:
add 1 2x4 in the center, buy the extra wide mount, and attach it in 3 places(two outside studs 39" apart, plus the new one in the middle)
or
add 2 2x4's 16" or 24" apart and use a standard mount.

I'm thinking the first option might be best.

 

[bruceb]

Put in the 2 2 x 4's .. it won't cost anymore for it. And use the standard mount instead of the extra wide mount. It will be less costly and easier to get.

 

[morkman100]

It's probably ok. TV's just aren't that heavy. Lots of large wall mirrors are heavier than newer TVs and I dont think many people use 4+ large lag screws to attach them to the wall. You can even use additional fasteners for piece of mind. Metal drywall anchors can support 100+ pounds of vertical weight each. 4 lag screws and 4 drywall anchors would be plenty strong. But obviously, standard wall studs are the best.

For electrical, run an outlet behind the TV. Or, the new thing that I just discovered while hanging my TV recently:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10425&cs_id=1042505&p_id=4652&seq=1&format=2
Let's you add an outlet behind your TV without tapping into existing electrical, or more importantly, lets you connect your TV to a surge protector/line conditioner while using a behind the TV outlet. I used parts from Amazon. Ended up running about $30 (instead of $50 for the Monoprice kit).

 

[DT4K]

There is already an outlet there because it was a TV nook that was covered over with drywall.
Whatever I do, I plan on cutting away part of the drywall to get to the outlet so I won't have to run power anywhere else.

The TV nook was 40" x 40", so I'll probably cut a hole 40" wide by 20" high. That should give me enough working room to get the 2x4's in there and get to the power outlet, but keep the opening small enough so it will be completely hidden by the TV.

 

[Fayd]

I'm not trying to go cheap and lazy.

I just wanted to know if it would be a problem to have the mount attached to studs that are 39" apart.
If putting in another 2x4 is necessary to make it safe, I'll do it. If not, then I won't.

you went cheap and lazy by not putting studs in behind the drywall. always a dumb move.