Can You Mount a TV Above a Fireplace?
Yes — and when done correctly, it's one of the most striking TV placements in a home. But it requires a proper heat assessment, the right mount type, and a plan for cable management. Here's everything you need to know before booking the install.
Yes. Gas fireplaces are generally safe for TV mounting. Wood-burning fireplaces need more clearance planning. The key is using a full-motion mount and assessing heat output before drilling.
Is It Actually Safe?
The concern with fireplace TV mounting is heat — specifically, whether rising heat from the firebox will damage the TV over time. The answer depends on fireplace type:
Gas fireplaces — the most common type in Triangle-area homes — generally produce safe heat levels for TV mounting. Modern gas fireplaces are designed to vent heat efficiently, and the temperature above the mantel typically stays well within the operating range of most TVs.
Wood-burning fireplaces produce significantly more heat and require more clearance between the firebox and the TV. We recommend a minimum height and may suggest a heat shield depending on the specific fireplace and usage patterns.
Electric fireplaces produce very little heat and are almost always safe for TV mounting directly above.
On every fireplace installation, we assess the heat output and wall temperature before recommending a mounting height. We don't just drill and hope.
What Mount Type Works Best Above a Fireplace?
A full-motion mount that tilts the screen downward is the right choice for above-fireplace installs. Here's why: the TV will sit higher than your normal seated eye level. Without tilt, you spend every movie looking slightly upward — which causes neck strain and makes the image quality worse (most LCD panels have reduced color accuracy when viewed from off-angle).
A full-motion mount with 10–15 degrees of downward tilt corrects this completely. You're looking straight at the screen from your couch. We include full-motion hardware on almost every fireplace installation.
How Do You Hide the Cables?
This is the part that makes or breaks the look. Two options depending on wall type:
On drywall above the fireplace: cables run inside the wall from the TV down to behind your media console or entertainment center. We install a recessed low-voltage bracket behind the TV and a power kit at the bottom — completely invisible from the front. This is the cleanest option.
On brick, stone, or tile surrounds: in-wall routing isn't possible, but a surface raceway that follows the wall down to the console can look very clean, especially when painted to match the surround. Many clients prefer this option for stone or brick fireplaces because the raceway blends into the texture.
What About Brick or Stone Above the Fireplace?
Brick and stone are actually excellent mounting surfaces — very strong, and the hardware holds well when done correctly. We use masonry anchors rated for the weight of your specific TV. The surcharge for masonry installs is $25–$150 depending on material and complexity.
Ready to Mount Above Your Fireplace?
Serving Raleigh, Apex, Cary and the Triangle. Starting from $149.
How High Should the TV Be Above the Fireplace?
The goal is to position the center of the screen at or near seated eye level — typically 42–48 inches from the floor for most seating arrangements. Above a fireplace, the mantel height often pushes the TV higher than ideal, which is exactly why a tilting full-motion mount is so important.
We measure from your specific couch position before marking anything. If the mantel height forces the TV significantly above eye level, we'll discuss the tradeoffs and recommend the best tilt angle for your room.
What Does Fireplace TV Mounting Cost in Raleigh NC?
Fireplace TV mounting with Art of Mount starts from $149 for TVs up to 65" and $179 for larger TVs. This includes the full-motion mount hardware, heat assessment, masonry anchors if needed, and precise level and tilt setup. Cable concealment is available as an add-on from $99.