Guide · 2026-10-24

Mounting a TV over a fireplace: heat, height and the wall

What to check before putting a TV above a fireplace, how brick, stone and tile are drilled, and where the wires can go.

Over the fireplace is the spot most people want, and it's the one most worth getting right. The wall is harder, the TV sits higher, and the wires have fewer places to go.

Check the heat first

Before anything else, check two things:

1. Your TV manual. Most manufacturers give heat and placement guidance, and some warn against mounting above a heat source.
2. The wall with a fire going. Run the fireplace for a while and put your hand flat on the wall where the TV would hang. If it's uncomfortably warm, the TV will be too. A deep mantel helps by pushing heat out into the room.

If the wall gets hot, a different wall is the better choice, and I'll tell you so.

Height

The mantel sets the lowest the TV can go, so it nearly always ends up above eye level. A tilting mount angles it down toward the seating, which helps a lot. A full-motion mount is another option, so you can pull the screen down and out for a movie night. There's more in how high to mount a TV.

Brick, stone and tile

• Brick and stone need a hammer drill and masonry anchors set into solid brick or stone. Mortar joints can crumble, so they're avoided. (+$49)
• Tile needs a slower, cooler bit so the tile doesn't crack. (+$75)
• Drywall above a mantel goes into studs like any other wall, with no surcharge.

Where the wires go

On drywall above a mantel, cables can often run inside the wall. On brick or stone they usually can't, so I'll show you the cleanest option on site, like a cord cover along the mantel line, or a streaming stick behind the TV so only the power cord needs a route.

Price my install Call (737) 204-8712

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