The wall above the fireplace is where most homeowners want the TV, and it's the install we run the most thermal checks on. Gas inserts in high-rise condos, wood-burning brick chimneys in older bungalows, stone surrounds in new builds, electric units in modern lofts - every one gets an IR temperature sweep at full burn before we drill anything. Rising heat, masonry surfaces, tricky cable paths through chimney chases, and steep viewing angles all require real expertise. That's what Express Mounting has been doing across Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles since 2015, now across 13 US metros, with same-day appointments in every one.
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Mounting a television above a fireplace is one of the most requested, and most technically demanding, installations we perform. Since 2015 Express Mounting has refined an exacting process that protects your display from heat damage, optimizes your viewing angle, and hides every cable behind the wall or inside the chimney chase. Our technicians carry infrared thermometers, borescopes, and masonry-specific anchoring systems on every service call so we can adapt to brick, stone, stacked ledger, marble surrounds, and shiplap facades alike.
Every job starts with a thermal survey. We measure surface temperatures above the mantle while the fireplace runs at full output, then compare readings against TV manufacturer heat tolerances. If temps exceed safe thresholds, we recommend recessed heat shields, mantle shelf deflectors, or strategic mount placement that shifts the screen higher or forward on an articulating arm. Cable concealment is engineered next -- we core drill through brick or mortar joints, fish HDMI and power through fire-rated conduit, and install a code- compliant recessed power kit behind the TV. The result is a clean, wire-free focal wall that looks like it came straight from an interior design magazine.
Before a single hole is drilled, we run your fireplace at maximum output and map surface temperatures across the entire mounting zone using a FLIR thermal camera. Most flat-screen TVs are rated to withstand ambient temps up to 100 °F, and many fireplaces push the wall well beyond that. We identify hot spots, then recommend heat deflectors, mantle extensions, or recessed mounting solutions that keep your panel safely within spec -- protecting a $1,000+ investment from premature failure.
An above-fireplace screen typically sits higher than eye level, which can cause neck strain and washed-out contrast. We install premium tilting mounts that angle the display downward 5-15°, directing the image straight at your seating position. For rooms with multiple viewing areas we offer full-motion articulating brackets that extend, swivel, and tilt -- letting you redirect the picture toward the kitchen island during dinner prep and back to the couch for movie night.
Dangling cables across a stone or brick fireplace ruin the aesthetic instantly. Our team core-drills through mortar joints or brick faces, installs fire-rated low-voltage conduit, and runs HDMI 2.1, optical audio, and coax through the wall cavity or chimney chase. A UL-listed recessed power kit with surge protection is installed behind the TV so no extension cords are needed. When we are finished, the only thing visible on the wall is the screen itself.
The distance between your mantle shelf and the ceiling -- plus the depth of the shelf itself -- dictates which mount and TV size will work. We measure clearance down to the quarter inch, factor in the mount's extension arc, and ensure the bottom edge of the screen clears the mantle by at least three inches when tilted. If your mantle is deep, we use extended-reach brackets or recommend a MantelMount pull-down system that lowers the TV to eye level for viewing and pushes it back flush when off.
Homes range from 1920s exposed brick to modern stacked stone in new builds, plus Florida CBS block and West Coast lath-and-plaster. Each surface requires different anchoring hardware and techniques. We use Tapcon concrete screws for cinder block, sleeve anchors with structural epoxy for natural stone, and toggle bolts with backer plates for hollow faux-stone facades. Every fastener is torque-verified and load-tested to three times the TV's weight before we hang the display.
Not every mount belongs above a fireplace. Fixed flat mounts pin the screen parallel to the wall, which works if your mantle is low and your couch is close, but most homeowners find the upward gaze uncomfortable after thirty minutes. Tilting mounts solve this by angling the display 5-15° downward, directing the sweet spot of the panel toward seated viewers. For maximum flexibility, full-motion articulating brackets extend the TV away from the wall, swivel left or right, and tilt -- perfect for open floor plans where you watch from the couch, the dining table, and the kitchen. Pull-down mounts like the MantelMount MM540 or MM700 are the premium choice: they lower the screen to eye level for viewing and retract above the mantle when not in use, combining ergonomic comfort with a clean aesthetic. During your free consultation we evaluate ceiling height, mantle depth, seating distance, and heat output to recommend the ideal bracket for your specific layout.
Heat is the number-one risk in any fireplace TV installation. Gas fireplaces with sealed glass fronts push less heat upward than open wood-burning hearths, but both can create a thermal column that exceeds manufacturer limits if the mantle does not deflect it properly. We measure temperatures at idle, at half output, and at full flame using calibrated infrared sensors. If readings exceed 90 °F at the proposed mounting height, we discuss options: adding a mantle hood or heat shield, extending the mantle shelf depth by two to four inches, or repositioning the mount higher. For gas inserts we may also recommend a fireplace fan kit that redirects warm air into the room rather than up the wall. Our goal is to keep your TV operating within its rated temperature envelope year-round so you get the full lifespan from both your fireplace and your display.
Running power and signal cables inside walls is governed by the National Electrical Code and local building standards. Standard extension cords and plug-in power strips are not permitted inside wall cavities. We install UL-listed recessed power kits -- such as the PowerBridge TWO-CK -- that provide a code-compliant outlet behind the TV and a companion inlet behind your media console. Low- voltage cables like HDMI, Ethernet, and optical audio travel through fire-rated conduit between the two boxes. For masonry walls where in-wall routing is impractical, we use paintable surface-mounted raceways color-matched to your stone or brick, achieving a nearly invisible finish without any code violations. Every installation is documented with photos and a wiring diagram for your records.
Bigger is not always better when the screen sits above a mantle. A TV that is too large can overwhelm the proportions of the fireplace surround, while one that is too small looks lost on a grand stone feature wall. Our rule of thumb: the screen width should be roughly 60-75 percent of the mantle or surround width. For a 60-inch mantle that means a 55-inch display hits the sweet spot. We also factor in viewing distance -- the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers recommends a 30° viewing angle, which translates to sitting roughly 1.5 times the diagonal screen size away. During the consultation we bring a laser measurer and a cardboard template so you can visualize exactly how the finished installation will look before we commit to drilling.
A typical above-fireplace TV mount takes two to three hours from arrival to remote handoff. Our technician begins with a final thermal reading and stud or masonry assessment, then marks drill points with a laser level. Dust containment mats protect your hearth and flooring while we core drill and fish cables. The mount is secured, load-tested, and leveled before the TV is hung. We connect all source devices, program your remote or smart-home app, calibrate picture settings for the room's ambient light, and walk you through operation. Before leaving we clean the work area, haul away all packaging, and snap a photo for your records. You are watching your favorite show before dinner.
After 9,747+ documented TV installs since 2015, our crew has refined a fireplace install process that protects your TV from heat damage and hides every cable through the masonry. We spec MM540 and MM700 pull-down systems for homes that want eye-level viewing without giving up the focal wall above the mantel. We run this same process across all 13 metros, with same-day appointments in every one.
Canonical fireplace pricing: $129 base + $99 masonry surcharge = $228 for a fireplace mount drilled into brick or stone above the mantel; drywall-above-mantel installs skip the surcharge and start at the $129-$255 size-tier base. Specialty fireplace installs (stone, MantelMount add-on, heat-shield deflector, or core-drilled chimney chase routing) can run higher. We quote a flat rate after the free heat and surface assessment so there are no surprises on invoice day.
A fireplace job lands between $224 and $449 all in: $224 is a TV up to 54 inches above a drywall mantel with in-wall concealment, $449 is an 80-inch panel over brick or stone with concealment and the masonry surcharge.
About the installer: I’m Alex Crabinsky, founder of Express Mounting. I founded the company in 2015 and have personally documented 9,747+ TV installs. Today we serve 13 metros across the US.
Yes, when done correctly. The key is measuring heat output at the mounting surface. Most modern TVs tolerate ambient temperatures up to 100 °F. We perform a thermal assessment with your fireplace running at full output and recommend heat deflectors or adjusted placement if temperatures exceed safe limits. Thousands of homes have above-fireplace TVs installed safely with proper precautions.
A tilting mount is the minimum recommendation because it angles the screen downward toward seated viewers, reducing neck strain. For the best experience, a pull-down mount like the MantelMount lowers the TV to eye level for watching and retracts above the mantle when not in use. We evaluate your mantle height and seating distance to recommend the ideal solution.
Absolutely. We core-drill through mortar joints and run cables through fire-rated conduit behind the wall or inside the chimney chase. A recessed power kit provides a code-compliant outlet behind the TV. For solid masonry where in-wall routing is not feasible, we use paintable surface raceways that blend with your stone or brick for a near-invisible finish.
Most installations are completed in two to three hours. This includes the heat assessment, drilling, cable concealment, mounting, connecting all devices, picture calibration, and cleanup. More complex projects involving pull-down mounts or extensive masonry work may take up to four hours.
In most cases, no. Mounting a TV on the wall above the fireplace does not modify the fireplace unit itself. However, we always recommend checking your fireplace manufacturer's documentation. Our installation methods avoid contact with the firebox, flue, or any fireplace components, and we maintain proper clearances specified by both the TV and fireplace manufacturers.
Recent five-star reviews from homeowners in your area
Professional and they do good work. Would recommend.
Alex Black
Atlanta, GA
They were very professional, neat, and completed my complex job in a timely manner. They also had great communication with setting up the appointment. Would use them again.
Alex B.
Atlanta, GA
Fill out our quick form or call for a free heat assessment. We'll IR-temperature-test your mantel area at full burn, spec the right mount (MantelMount MM540 pull-down, tilting, or full-motion), and route cables through the masonry - backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee.