Is It Safe to Mount a TV Above a Fireplace?

By Sarah Stasik

June 25, 2025

You've sat on every sofa cushion and in every chair in the living room, and it's clear: The perfect spot for the television — the one where everyone can see the screen but the TV doesn't take up valuable storage or decor space — is right above the fireplace. It's a natural focal point, but is it actually safe to put a TV above the fireplace?

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Mounting a TV above the fireplace is a popular design choice for many reasons. It's the LCD or the framed print of a Monet you bought at the craft store. However, before you invest in a load of drywall screws and try to DIY this job, make sure you know how to safely mount a TV above the fireplace.

Is It Safe to Mount a TV Above the Fireplace?

A TV mounted above a fireplace can look modern and sleek, but it's only safe if you take the right precautions. Heat and electronics don't mix well, and the area above your fireplace might get surprisingly warm. High temps can shorten the lifespan of wiring and screens. Plus, today's flat screens are lighter than old tube models, but that's still a heavy item to hang on the wall — you run some risk that it might all come crashing down.

Rules for Hanging a TV Above a Fireplace

However, mounting a TV above a fireplace can be safe when handled properly. Here are a few tips to help you do it right:

  • Measure surface temperatures above the fireplace. Ideally, the wall should stay below 100 degrees F when the fireplace is running.

  • Use a mantel or heat deflector. These can help redirect rising heat away from your TV screen.

  • Follow your TV manufacturer’s heat tolerance guidelines. You can often find these in the product manual or on the company’s website.

  • Ensure the wall surface is sturdy. Brick, stone and reinforced drywall can support mounting brackets better than older plaster walls.

  • Hire a professional installer if needed. Get a pro to handle the work if you’re unsure about wiring, heat exposure or support studs.

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How Far Away Should the TV Sit From a Wood-Burning Fireplace?

To protect your TV from heat damage, mount it so there's at least a foot of space between the top of the opening to the fireplace and the bottom of the TV bezel. More space is better, if you have it.

You should also consider how much heat your fireplace puts out. Wood-burning and high-output gas log fireplaces might create a lot of heat in the area just above them. You might want to avoid placing a television in that area or raise it a bit higher.

If you have a for-show fireplace — one that doesn't generate any heat — these considerations obviously aren't relevant. And if your fireplace has a blower that pushes hot air out into the surrounding room, you might find the area above the fireplace doesn't get hot, reducing the need for a lot of space between the fireplace and a mounted TV.

Can You Set a TV on a Gas or Electric Fireplace?

You generally should not set your TV on a gas or electric fireplace unless the unit is specifically designed for that purpose. Some specialty fireplaces are built into media cabinets. Otherwise, the electric or gas model might generate too much heat for your TV to sit on it, or it might not support the weight of the television.

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