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Getting a brand new television is exciting – especially when you upgrade to a bigger screen. Deciding on the best place to put your TV for an enjoyable viewing experience can be tricky.

If you’re planning to mount your television on a wall, the real question you need to ask is should you hang it yourself or get professional help?

Some homeowners are handy and won’t have much of a problem installing a wall-mounted television. However, the truth is, not all of us are quite that skilled. Tackling a project like this could leave you with anything from a crooked TV to a big hole in your wall, or worst of all, a busted television.

Before you jump into DIY television mounting, here are some problems you may encounter, which you should be aware of before dusting off your tools.

1. Finding a Stud

This is one of the first steps in hanging a wall mounted television. Your TV needs a nice sturdy stud on which to hang. You’ll need to use a stud finder to locate one behind your wall.

The problem is, stud finders can sometimes be tricky to use. Cliff Heyne from Digital Trends goes as far as calling these tools “liars.”

“Stud finders can be fooled fairly easily. For example, they will often read a seam in the drywall as a stud.”

In the end, you may not be able to find studs in the location where you want to hang your TV, or your studs won’t be spaced correctly for your mount. This may call for the use of either a mounting plate for spacing issues or a hollow wall anchor for situations when there are no studs in the area.

Without studs, you’ll need to be sure your wall material and the anchor are strong enough to support the weight of the TV, otherwise your new purchase will come crashing to the floor.

2. VESA Size Confusion

If you don’t know anything about VESA mount sizes, it’s a sign you’ll need to do some research or get your TV professionally installed.

VESA sizes are a set of standards detailing where the holes are placed on the back of your television. If you want your TV properly and safely attached to the mount, you need to make sure they have the same VESA specifications. Mismatched holes mean things won’t line up.

3. Making it Level

You’re going to be kicking yourself if you assume you’ve done everything right and then you step back to look at a job well done only to notice your newly installed television isn’t level.

Unfortunately, adjusting a wall-mounted TV isn’t as easy as straightening a crooked picture frame. You’re stuck either starting over from square one or telling your family to tilt their heads whenever they want to watch television.

You may have some wiggle room to adjust by tightening or loosening bolts, but the bottom line is that hanging a level TV isn’t as easy as you think.

4. Hiding All Those Cords

Installing a new television on a wall looks great. Tangled up cords and wires hanging down do not. There are ways to keep your cords hidden, but you may need to do some rewiring and electrical work to do it right and keep things up to code.

In-wall power extension (IWPE) or special TV cords and cable power kits that let you run electricity on the other side of the wall are the best solution. IWPE kits include extension cords that are rated for placing behind a wall. It’s actually illegal to do so with a normal extension cord. Technically, even low-power HDMI cables shouldn’t be installed behind a wall.

5. Choosing the Right Spot

You might be able to do all the handiwork required for installing a television, but in the end the spot you picked just doesn’t work.

The right angle and a good location are important for a proper viewing experience. Put your TV up too high and it could literally be a pain in the neck.

LED televisions have LCD screens. As Digital Trends explains, these types of screens basically have little windows that let light through. If you’re watching TV off to the side, you won’t be seeing a clear picture. That’s why TVs installed in the corner of a room can be problematic, depending on how your seating is arranged.

In a previous A.V.E. blog post, we wrote about hanging HDTVs above a fireplace. While this is a popular choice, it’s typically not recommended. The heat from the fireplace, as well as the smoke if it’s a wood burning unit, could easily damage the electronics.

6. Making Your Own Mount

Even the most advanced handyman can get a bit overconfident. Some homeowners try to cut corners by building their own television mount.

Yes, you’ll probably find instructions for a DIY TV mount online, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a good idea. Manufactured mounts are treated and tested for strength. The materials you use for your makeshift mount … who knows?

Homeowners beware! See what happens to the poor guy in the video below …

Why DIY When You Can A.V.E.?

After reading about all the difficulties you can have installing a television, you may want to avoid the hassle. Don’t worry, the expert installers at A.V.E. in Wisconsin Rapids can help!

A.V.E. understands exactly what it takes to mount a television properly and safely. We’ll work with you to find the best location and make sure all your cords and cables are discreetly hidden.

We know a brand new television is a big investment. That’s why you’ll want to put it in the hands of someone who knows what they’re doing. Call 715.423.4800 and contact us today to find out more about our installation services. Our 24/7/365 customer care sets us apart from the local competition.

A.V.E. happily serves communities around central Wisconsin including the areas of Marshfield, Stevens Point, and Wausau. Trust us for all your home theater and home security needs!