Cable Tel Group

To mount your new LCD flat screen TV to the wall, first you need to ensure you’ve got the correct mounting kit for the job. Most are anchored into wooden studs, but others can include anchors for plasterboard, dry walls, concrete or metal studs etc.

As a rule of thumb, your TV brackets need to be able to hold 5 times the weight of what you are putting onto the mount.

Step 1 – Attach the Mounting Brackets

Attach the mounting brackets to your television. A lot of televisions and monitors these days come with pre-drilled threaded holes which sit flush into the rear of the unit. Screw the mounting arms into the back of the TV or monitor using these threaded holes.

Caution – be absolutely certain that the screws are the right size – too long and they can damage your television, not long enough and they won’t have the strength to hold it up properly.

Whilst you’re at it, don’t over tighten the screws – this too runs the risk of causing unwanted and often irreversible damage.

For TVs and monitors being mounted above eye-level, a good idea is to get a TV wall bracket that has mounting plates set at a slight angle, or the ability to tilt it manually, both of which can enhance your viewing angle and reduce eye / neck strain.

Step 2 – Affix the Wall Mount

Using an electronic stud sensor (available from any decent hardware or DIY store), find the outside edges of the two studs onto which you’re looking to attach your TV wall mount, and mark these lightly in pencil.

Templates for most kits are printed onto paper which you can temporarily tape to the wall for guidance, if yours has this it’s a good, but often overlooked idea to use a spirit level to make certain it’s sitting straight and correctly.

With a measuring tape, start from the floor and determine the height at which you want yourTV / monitor on the walll, make a final check that everything is straight (check twice, drill once!) and, using the template, drill your mounting holes.

When attaching your wall mount to the wall, it’s good practice to fit the top screws first, then the bottom ones – regularly checking everything is still straight with your spirit level as you go.

Tighten up all the screws, but again, don’t over-tighten, and attach any final decorative end covers if your bracket has them.

Step 3 – Mounting a TV / Monitor

Now that your wall mount is firmly and securely attached to the wall, it’s time to mount your TV.

Firstly, make sure that the locking mechanisms (normally found at the side of the wall mount) are set to the ‘open’ position. Usually you need a screwdriver to do this.

It’s also a sensible idea to fit all the various cables to the back of your televison at this point, as trying to do this once the TV is wall mounted can be tricky at best.

The last job is to, with the help of a friend, lift and guide the TV onto the wall mount clicking / screwing everything into place. With everything in place, close the locking mechanisms.

Now, find a film, grab a drink and congratulate yourself on a job well done.

Brackets R Us are the UK’s leading supplier of TV wall brackets, speaker brackets and fittings with next day delivery on most items.