Advice on mounting a 55" TV to a wall

[frugaliknowit]

Hi All!

I finally was forced to update my electronics to the 21st century.  In that update, I bought a 55" LED TV which is currently on a stand.  When I bought the unit, Best Buy told me that it could be wall mounted for $150.

Fast forward 2 months, I have re-contacted Best Buy and they told me the following (concrete walls, btw, NOT drywall):  For a standard mount, $150 for the bracket + $350 for labor.  For a swivel mount $350 for the bracket + $350 for labor.

Looking at Google Shopping, it seems brackets start at around $30...even if it took me all day, $350 labor seems like a lot...

I am thinking of doing this myself.  I am pretty handy, but have no experience with this.  Thanks for advise/guidance.

[skunkfunk]

I think your first mistake was having anything to do with Best Buy. I hope you shopped around first, they do match prices as far as I know (I dunno, haven't been in one in years now.)

I was looking into this just the other day as I want to mount my 50" TV on the wall. I think it is pretty easily done , check out the youtube videos as I found them very helpful.

[Jack]

• Unless you really need it to swivel, I recommend a fixed mount. They're not only less expensive, but they're also less likely to break/fall (both because they don't have moving parts and because holding the TV farther away from the wall increases the tension load on the wall anchors).
• Be careful to choose a mount that's rated for the size and weight of your TV. That cheap $30 mount might be designed only for 32"-40" TVs or something like that.
• Read this to figure out what fasteners you need and how to use them.
• Borrowing or renting a hammer drill is worth it.
• Measure carefully and use a level.
• TVs should be mounted closer to seated eye level, not at standing eye level like you'd choose for pictures.

[edited to correct first bullet point so as not to repeat myself]

[Thegoblinchief]

• Unless you really need it to swivel, I recommend a fixed mount. They're not only more reliable, but they're also less likely to break/fall (both because they don't have moving parts and because holding the TV farther away from the wall increases the tension load on the wall anchors).
• Be careful to choose a mount that's rated for the size and weight of your TV. That cheap $30 mount might be designed only for 32"-40" TVs or something like that.
• Read this to figure out what fasteners you need and how to use them.
• Borrowing or renting a hammer drill is worth it.
• Measure carefully and use a level.
• TVs should be mounted closer to seated eye level, not at standing eye level like you'd choose for pictures.

+1 to all that. Concrete fastening is, uh, fun the first few times you do it.

If you have concrete walls, though, are you in a condo or apt where drilling the walls would not be allowed?

[GuitarStv]

It's very easy to fasten to concrete.

- Drill holes with your rotary hammer.
- Drill in your concrete fasteners.

Mounting a TV braket is a 10 - 30 minute job.  Very simple DIY.  You need the right drill though.  (A regular drill is no-go, a hammer drill will work but they tend to be slow and tiring, a rotary hammer is stupid easy.  If you don't have one, rent the rotary hammer for a couple bucks.)

[cartechguy]

Amazon or Monoprice are your friend!! I just bought a mount for $32 from Amazon and hung the tv myself in my new home!! It was a 55 inch and please no facepunches!!  It was my retirement gift from several people!!

[bigbenreiss]

Agree on Amazon, I have bought a few mounts and have done 3 50" tv's in rentals. I find wall mounted 50" Tv's in the living rooms helps lease up the college rentals. I also find that When I mount them they are less likely to Eff up my walls or have them fall.

Make sure you get the right mount but swivel mount with a 50" TV has held up in a college rental for 4 years. So I think if it's in your home it should be fine for the life of the TV.

Drill it, for $700 in parts and materials I would spend a day shopping and drilling to save my self about $600 of that.

[fiveoh]

Amazon or Monoprice are your friend!! I just bought a mount for $32 from Amazon and hung the tv myself in my new home!! It was a 55 inch and please no facepunches!!  It was my retirement gift from several people!!

I bought both mine off monoprice and they have worked great for over 5 years now.

[frugaliknowit]

Thanks all!!  Yes, I am allowed to drill the walls.

So far, on all my projects I have not used a hammer or rotary drill, but will look into renting one.  It does seem like any accessories I have ever priced at Best Buy is a heist (cables, connectors, etc.).

Will keep you posted...

[GuitarStv]

Just a note - you will probably have to buy a bit to work with the rotary hammer, most rental places don't give bits with the drill.  Make sure to get the right size and type!

[Cromacster]

Thanks all!!  Yes, I am allowed to drill the walls.

So far, on all my projects I have not used a hammer or rotary drill, but will look into renting one.  It does seem like any accessories I have ever priced at Best Buy is a heist (cables, connectors, etc.).

Will keep you posted...

For cables and mounting equipment...essentially except the actually TV (although they are getting better in this area as well) use monoprice.  HDMI and USB cables are the worst offenders.  Although in doing a quick search best buy's website now sells monoprice HDMI cables.

A little off topic.  NPR Podcast Planet Money did in interest piece on monoprice and their business model recently.  Interesting listen.

Podcast

Transcript

[QajakBoy]

Use a good quality concrete anchor.  I would use one of the sleeve types.  More info on at http://www.familyhandyman.com/masonry/pouring-concrete/how-to-choose-and-use-concrete-fasteners/view-all