Are you planning on performing a 42-inch TV wall mount installation? You’re in the right place! This comprehensive guide includes important tips and tricks on how to mount a TV, with an emphasis on safety and security. When you choose to mount your 42-inch TV, there are plenty of benefits that go along with it. You’ll be saving valuable real estate in whatever room you’re choosing to mount a TV in. Furthermore, Geeks on Site has an all-inclusive TV Mounting Service that takes all the guesswork and stress out of your TV wall mount installation. That way you can enjoy your installation without worrying about whether you’ve done it in the most optimal way for viewing and safety.
Once you learn how to mount a TV, getting expert advice from our team is as easy as requesting service. After you’ve purchased your TV wall mount installation hardware, you’re ready to read on to get all the information you need and nothing you don’t. At Geeks on Site, we’re dedicated to taking the uncertainty out of how to mount a TV, and help you achieve the viewing room of your dreams, hassle-free.
The Fundamentals of How to Mount a 42-inch TV
To achieve the most optimum placement for your 42-inch TV wall mount installation there’s more to consider than you might think. Making sure your TV wall mount installation is level and comfortable for all potential viewing angles involves in-depth decision making and measurement. Not to mention you’ll want to consider potential room configurations and placement options that will best reflect your style and home. Comfortable viewing is the main end goal of optimal TV wall mount installation. This consideration helps prevent neck and eye strain that can occur when angles are too drastic, or when the TV wall mount is installed too high or too low.
While personal preference is a major deciding factor when planning how to mount a TV, there are many logistical challenges as well. These include the size of your TV, the amount of room from your TV to your chosen viewing spot, and the angle at which your TV is positioned. Importantly, the type of 42-inch TV wall mount installation you choose allows for advanced customization. For example, when choosing a full motion or tilting TV wall mount, installation hardware allows for multiple articulating arms, which are attached to your mounting bracket. Depending on your model of TV wall mount you could potentially move your TV up to 25 inches from the wall, though the degree of maneuverability varies. On the other hand, fixed TV wall mount installation hardware brings you an unmatched level of security in a mounting bracket. The stationary state of the mounting is a safe option if you’re concerned about your TV potentially falling out of the mounting.
Let’s Look at The Figures
Need more concrete instructions? To figure out the most optimal height for your 42-inch TV wall mount installation you’ll need to consider the height of your TV vertically and the distance from the bottom edge of your TV to the floor. Generally speaking, your 42-inch TV wall mount installation should be about 56 inches from the floor to the center of the TV. You’ll want to make sure that this measurement lines up with your eye level for the comfiest viewing experience possible. One important caveat to this information is that depending on the height of your ceiling this may not be the most accurate figure. You’ll want to use your own measurements and judgement when choosing the mounting height that provides comfort without sacrificing your personal style.
Geeks on Site’s Tips for How to Mount a TV at The Right Height:
- Find a good candidate for something to represent your final TV mount installation. This could be a removable piece of tape. Clear tape will work, but masking tape might be easier to see. Another option is to carefully cut a piece of cardboard to the size of your TV for a more complete proxy that could provide clearer insights on viewing angle and distance.
- Take a seat in your usual viewing position and relax.
- See where your eyes naturally land. Use this as a starting point to fix your proxy to the wall.
- After you’ve affixed your proxy to the wall you can adjust the alignment, so the middle of your proxy falls right at eye level. Feel free to change the placement until you are content and comfortable.
- Once you’ve found a comfortable viewing distance and height, measure the distance from the bottom of your proxy to the floor. See above for recommendations that correspond with the center versus the bottom measurement, depending on the type of proxy you chose. Your measurement may or may not be somewhere around 31 inches.
- There is no right or wrong here. Personal preference plays a large role in how to mount a TV. So, you can manipulate your proxy until you are satisfied.
Why Viewing Angle is Important
When testing your 42-inch TV mount installation height, viewing angle should be taken into consideration. The most advantageous viewing angle will be comfortable for all seating positions in your living room or den. This minimizes neck and eye strain and helps ensure a clear picture that isn’t distorted or fuzzy, which can occur if viewing is attempted from a less-than-ideal viewing angle.
While you’re thinking about viewing angle, you’ll want to take your television’s vertical distance into account, as well as the room you’ll be conducting your TV mount installation in. As we briefly discussed earlier in this guide, full motion mounting options can help you modify the viewing angle to best suit your day-to-day needs.
Calculating the Perfect Viewing Distance for your TV Mount Installation
Viewing distance is the amount of room from your 42-inch TV mount installation to your desired watching spot. If you haven’t taken the necessary precautions when learning how to mount a TV, the viewing distance can have a negative effect on you or other viewers. A general rule of thumb is to take the size of your TV and multiply that by 1.5 or 2.5 depending on your preference. Taking the time to get accurate measurements will help you throughout this process, and help you tackle some of the confusion that can occur while you’re learning how to mount a TV.
How to Find the Right Placement for TV Mount Installation in Any Room
Some of the most common options for TV mount installations are in the bedroom, living room, and above your fireplace mantle. All of these unique areas of the home require specific thoughtful consideration when analyzing them as options for 42-inch TV mount installation. Factors that could impact bedroom TV mounting include the comfortability while watching TV laying down. To accommodate for this, you’ll want to mount your TV higher than you would in your sitting areas. As we’ve already discussed when mounting your flatscreen in your living areas, making sure it is mounted at eye level can change your viewing experience drastically. Mounting your TV above a fireplace can be dangerous depending on the fireplace type, usage, and function in your life. However, choosing to mount your 42-inch TV over your fireplace is a stylish option that is considered to be on-trend for home décor. Fireplaces by nature stir up soot and ash if they are wood burning. This organic material can negatively affect the life and health of your device, especially if it is being subjected to excessive heat. To mitigate the risk that comes with performing a TV mount installation above your fireplace, you’ll want to make sure ventilation and insulation for your fireplace are up to current standards. When you go the extra mile while planning your TV mount installation, you can address potential concerns and factors that are dependent on mounting placement.
How To Mount a 42-inch TV
Now that we’ve covered all the different options and considerations for TV mount installation, we’re ready to learn more about how to mount a TV to the wall. Some assembly may be required depending on the size and model of your TV mount, but all necessary hardware should be included with your TV mount purchase. These items include the mounting bracket with or without articulating arms, and all the needed screws. Take a look at some of our top TV mount picks here. There are some separate tools that will be necessary to complete this home project. Some needed tools for most TV mount installations are a drill, drill bits that correspond to your wall type, a level, a stud finder if choosing to mount on drywall covered walls, a level, and a measuring tape. Your TV mount installation guide will come with detailed instructions on the dos and don’ts for your particular mount. Do not throw these away!! Following the instructions to a tee is an important step in the TV mounting process, and this pamphlet may include other pertinent information, such as warranty info.
Need some help? Our Geeks on Site technicians have the experience and knowledge to help you install your TV mount, provide expert advice, and troubleshoot issues with you. You’re not alone when you’re learning how to mount a TV. Check out our TV mounting services here, and get the help you need, fast.
Put safety first when learning how to mount a TV
Wall type is our final important consideration to make when getting ready to oversee your TV mount installation project. TV weight and size are both factors that you should have in mind when choosing your TV wall mount. Mounting brackets have certain weight capacities and some models may fit a range of screen sizes. These factors should be some of the most important when making sure your hardware is in line with your 42-inch TV. When you choose to mount to drywall, you will need to make sure your stud size is compatible with your mount. Finding your studs should be done with care to make sure that your TV is fully supported by your home’s structure. If not, your TV is very likely to fall off the wall, and maybe even take some drywall with it. Thus, taking these extra steps saves time and can help prevent costly accidents like these. For concrete and brick walls, having the right drill bits that correspond to your wall type is necessary. These wall types allow for increased stability in the TV mount installation and may contribute to the maximum weight that your mounting hardware can support.
Troubleshooting Your 42-inch TV Mount Installation
So, you’ve learned how to mount a TV, followed all the steps, but something is not quite right? After you’ve successfully learned how to mount a TV, and your new statement piece is up on the wall you still have options. Most 42-inch TV mount installations allow you to make small adjustments of a couple degrees post installation. That way if you’ve made a small miscalculation or error, it can be fixed without having to re-mount your TV. Additionally, with full motion and tilting mounts you can adjust the swivel and tilt of your TV to correct any potential TV mount installation errors. If you need to re-mount your TV at any point this is always an option.
To Sum Up
Learning how to mount a 42-inch TV so your TV mount installation happens worry-free is a full-time job. If it is done correctly, you will have a striking TV placement at just the right height and distance. Not to mention your television mount will be safe and secure. Still have questions? Geeks on Site’s comprehensive guides can give you in-depth information to help you perform your TV mount installation safely and successfully, but don’t forget about our TV mounting services. Our teams are on hand to provide you with real time advice, or come out and perform the TV mount installation for you, so you can have a worry-free TV mounting experience.
Last Updated on September 17, 2024
