TV wall mounting · 8 min read · updated sep 2026
TV Above Fireplace: Heat, Height, Mounts and Costs in Canada
By the Pixl Canada install team
Quick answer
Can you put a TV above a fireplace? Yes, if two things check out: heat and height. The wall where the TV will hang must stay below your TV’s temperature limit (Samsung says 104°F, or 40°C) and you need a way to bring the screen closer to eye level, such as a tilting or pull-down mantel mount.
Is it a good idea to put a TV above a fireplace?
It can be, but it is a compromise. In many Canadian living rooms the fireplace wall is the only wall that faces the couch, so the TV ends up there whether we like it or not.
Here is the honest picture:
- The good: a simple layout and one clean focal point.
- The heat risk: warm air rises. A wood or gas fireplace can heat the wall above it past what a TV is built to handle.
- The height problem: a mantel usually pushes the screen well above seated eye level, which can mean a sore neck during long movies.
- Wood-burning extras: Samsung notes that ash can collect on the TV and its vents.
Samsung is blunt about it. In its Samsung support guide on wall mounting, the company says it does not recommend mounting a TV over a fireplace, mainly because of heat. That does not mean it never works. It means test first.
Why do people say not to put a TV over a fireplace?
Two reasons come up again and again: heat damage and neck strain. Both are real, and both can usually be managed.
Heat is the bigger concern. Electronics that run hot tend to wear out sooner. Fireplace makers agree the heat has to be handled. Heatilator’s guide to mounting a TV over a fireplace says heat should be redirected away from the TV, recommends a proper mantel, and tells you to follow both the fireplace manual and the TV maker’s clearances.
Neck strain is the everyday concern. Most people sit with their eyes around 40 to 42 inches off the floor. If the TV centre sits at 65 inches or more, you are looking up the whole time. Our guide on how high to mount a TV explains the eye-level rule in detail.
How to check if your mantel gets too hot
Do a simple heat test before you drill a single hole. It takes one evening and a cheap thermometer.
- Find your TV’s limit. Check the manual or the maker’s support page. Samsung lists 104°F (40°C) as the maximum.
- Run the fireplace the way you normally would, at full flame, for a couple of hours.
- Tape a thermometer (or use an infrared thermometer) on the wall where the bottom and middle of the TV will sit.
- Read the temperature every 30 minutes. Note the highest number.
- Try the palm test too. If the wall is uncomfortable to keep your hand on, it is too hot for a TV.
If the reading stays comfortably below your TV’s limit, you are in good shape. If it gets close or goes over, you have options: a deeper mantel to deflect heat, a higher placement, or a fireplace with heat management. Heat & Glo’s article on TVs above gas fireplaces notes that with a passive heat system a TV can sit 12 inches above the unit, and that these systems need to be installed with the fireplace, not added later.
Always read your own fireplace manual. It lists the clearances to combustible materials, including mantels, and those numbers vary by model.
Mounting a TV above your fireplace? We test the heat and set the height first. TV mounting from $99.
What is the best mount for a TV above a fireplace?
For most homes, it comes down to a tilting mount or a pull-down mantel mount. A fixed mount is rarely the right call above a fireplace because it leaves the screen facing straight ahead, high on the wall.
| Mount type | How it helps | Best for | Pixl price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tilting mount | Angles the screen down toward the couch to cut glare and ease the viewing angle | Mantels at a normal height, casual viewing | $80 |
| Pull-down mantel mount | Lowers the TV in front of the mantel to near eye level, then pushes back up | Tall mantels, movie nights, anyone with neck concerns | $70 |
| Motorized pull-down mount | Same idea, moves the TV with a remote | Heavier TVs, convenience, frequent use | $110 |
| Full-motion mount | Swings and angles the TV side to side | Rooms with seating off to one side | $125 |
A tilting mount is the simple, budget-friendly fix. A pull-down mount is the real answer if your mantel is tall, because it physically brings the screen down to where your eyes are. Before buying a pull-down mount, measure the mantel depth and check the mount’s weight range and drop distance so the TV clears the mantel edge. For a wider comparison, read fixed vs full-motion TV mounts.
How high should a TV be mounted above a fireplace?
As low as your mantel and heat test allow. Leave enough space above the mantel for heat to escape, then put the TV as close to that line as it safely can go.
Some practical tips:
- Follow your fireplace manual for mantel and wall clearances first. Those are not optional.
- If the TV must hang above eye level, use a tilting mount so the screen angles down toward you.
- If the TV centre would land higher than about 60 inches from the floor, a pull-down mount is worth a serious look.
- Tape cardboard cut to your TV’s size on the wall and judge it from the couch.
How do you hide wires on a TV above a fireplace?
It depends on what is behind the wall. Above a framed fireplace (drywall over wood or metal studs), in-wall wiring is often possible. Above a masonry chimney, it usually is not.
- In-wall: the cleanest look. Only use cables rated for in-wall use, and never run a regular power cord inside the wall. Our post on hiding TV wires legally in Canada covers what is allowed. When in doubt, check with your local electrical authority.
- Raceway: a paintable cover that runs along the wall. Good for stone and brick where you cannot go inside.
- Existing channel: some newer fireplace walls come with a conduit or channel already built in. Look for a plate or opening before paying for more work.
Pixl prices for wires: existing channel $25, raceway $60 (material included) and in-wall $99.50 (fire-resistant HDMI included).
Can you mount a TV on a stone or brick fireplace?
Yes. Stone and brick hold a TV very well when the right anchors go into solid material. The work just takes more time and the right tools.
Things to know:
- Drill into the brick or solid stone, not the mortar joints, whenever the mount layout allows.
- Use masonry anchors rated for the TV and mount weight. Cheap plastic anchors are a common cause of failures. See why TV mounts fail.
- Stacked stone veneer can be thin and uneven. The mount must reach the solid structure behind it.
- Plan wires early. With masonry, a raceway or a pull-down mount’s own cable path is often the tidiest choice.
Pixl adds $50 for concrete, tile or stone and $80 for brick.
How much does it cost to mount a TV above a fireplace?
With Pixl, most above-fireplace installs land somewhere between about $200 and $300 before tax, depending on the wall and the mount.
| Item | Price (CAD, before tax) |
|---|---|
| TV mounting (up to 60″, labour, your mount) | from $80 |
| Above fireplace | +$20 |
| Tilting mount | $80 |
| Pull-down mantel mount / motorized | $70 / $110 |
| Concrete, tile or stone | +$50 |
| Brick | +$80 |
| Hide wires in-wall | $99.50 |
| Soundbar install | $50 |
Two example estimates at our Calgary and Edmonton labour rate for a 32 to 60 inch TV:
- 55″ TV on a drywall fireplace wall, tilting mount, wires in-wall: $99.99 + $20 + $80 + $99.50 = $299.49.
- 55″ TV on a brick fireplace, pull-down mantel mount: $99.99 + $20 + $80 + $70 = $269.99.
You pay after the job, by card, e-transfer or cash.
DIY or hire a pro?
You can DIY a TV above a drywall fireplace if you are handy, own a stud finder and have a helper. Masonry and pull-down mounts are where most people call for help.
DIY pros: you save on labour.
DIY cons: lifting a TV above a mantel is awkward, masonry drilling needs a hammer drill and the right bit, and a mistake in stone or brick is hard to hide. Pull-down mounts also need careful levelling to work smoothly.
Hiring Pixl: TV mounting starts at $80, plus $20 above a fireplace. Our technicians are licensed and we carry $5 million general liability insurance. Most TV mounts take 45 to 90 minutes.
Ready to get your TV up safely? Book professional TV mounting with Pixl or call or text (587) 899-7495. We are open 7 days a week and offer same-day service when we have an opening.
Frequently asked questions
Is it okay to have a TV above a fireplace?
Yes, as long as the wall stays below your TV’s temperature limit and the screen is not uncomfortably high. Do a heat test first, then use a tilting or pull-down mount to improve the viewing angle.
Why not put a TV over a fireplace?
The main reasons are heat and height. Heat can shorten a TV’s life, and a high screen can strain your neck. Wood-burning fireplaces can also leave soot on the TV.
Are TVs over fireplaces still in style?
They are still very common because the fireplace wall is often the main wall in the room. The modern approach is a clean install: hidden wires, a mount that brings the screen lower, and a TV sized to the fireplace.
Why do people put their TV above the fireplace?
It is usually about layout. The fireplace wall faces the seating, and putting the TV elsewhere means two competing focal points or awkward furniture placement.
Does heat from a gas fireplace damage a TV?
It can if the wall gets too hot. Many gas fireplaces put out a lot of heat above the unit, so test the wall temperature and check whether your model has a heat management option.
Part of our complete TV wall mounting guide. Written by the Pixl Canada install team: licensed technicians with $5 million liability insurance, installing TVs, security cameras, smart home devices and appliances across Canada.
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