So, you’re tired of seeing your beautiful TV perched on top of the entertainment center, or you just purchased a new big screen. Whatever the reason may be, you’re probably reading this because you want to hang your television on the wall and you’re wondering which mount will work best for your specific situation. Well, you’ve come to the right place. With the sheer number of different mounts on the market, it can be very confusing when trying to find the right one. This article will guide you through the selection process and help you understand what information you need and what factors can determine which TV mount to buy.

Before we go any further, it is important to point out there are a couple of things all TV wall mounts have in common; they all have limits on the screen size and weight they can handle, and they all need to be attached securely to a sturdy structure. When it comes to installation, make sure you take the wall where you plan to mount the TV into consideration. Most TV mounts come with all of the hardware necessary for a proper installation, but you may need some additional tools, so be prepared. For example, if your wall is made of brick, you’ll probably need masonry bits to punch through and make holes for the screws. If installing on drywall, then a stud finder might come in handy. Remember, if you don’t want to find your expensive TV on the floor one day, it is important that you not only have the right mount which accommodates the size and weight of the TV, but that it is attached to the wall and TV properly and securely.

Okay. Now we’re ready to dive in. Here are the four pieces of information you’ll need to select the right TV mount:

VESA Pattern – VESA stands for Video Electronics Standards Association, and it is a standard adopted by most of the TV brands, VESA defines the horizontal and vertical distance in millimeters between the four mounting holes on the back of a TV. Common VESA sizes are 200 x 200, 400 x 400 and 600 x 400. To find the correct VESA pattern for your TV, consult the Owner’s Manual.

Screen Size – This one is easy. Most of the time you already know the TV screen size, but if you are ever in doubt, you can always look at the Owner’s Manual, the label on the back of the TV, or pull up the specifications online via the manufacturer's website.

Weight – As with the VESA and screen size, consult the Owner’s Manual or pull up the specifications online to find the weight of the TV.

Mount Type – There are three different types of mounts, and which one to buy depends on what you want the wall mount to do once it is installed. Here are the descriptions of each:

              Fixed Mount – This type of mount is as the name states. A fixed mount will hold the television in a single position and will not allow movement of any kind in any direction. Of the three mount types, fixed mounts allow the TV to be positioned closest to the wall, similar to what you expect to see when hanging a picture, and they are usually the most affordable.

              Tilting TV Mount – As with the fixed mount, the tilt mount does exactly what the name implies. They are designed to allow a flat screen to be tilted downward and they work great when the TV must be mounted higher up on the wall such as above a fireplace. The tilting action allows for a more comfortable viewing position. With this mount type the TV will sit further from the wall, usually about 1.5” to 3” on average depending upon the mount. Some mounts will allow for a further extension.

              Full-Motion Mount – The most versatile of the three, full-motion mounts allow for the TV to be tilted, extended outward, or swiveled. As a result, the user is able to adjust the TV to accommodate a number of different viewing angles. As with the tilt mount the TV will sit away from the wall about 2” - 3" on average depending upon the mount. Some mounts will allow for a further extension.

And that is it. Once you have those four pieces of information you can begin looking for the TV mount type you select that fits the VESA pattern, the screen size, and the weight of your TV.   

Finally, when it comes to TV wall mounts the best advice to give is when shopping for the right one, quality should always be at the top of the list. You invested in the purchase of a nice TV, so cutting corners on the one thing that has the job of holding it safely in place is probably not the wisest choice. Spending a little bit more to purchase a high-quality mount from a well-known brand is always money well spent.

We hope this information is helpful. As always, we welcome your feedback and comments. Talk to you in our next post!