No Studs Needed: Alternative Mounting Strategies for your Home Theater Display

Mounting options for home theater owners are numerous and each has its own advantages. Many times, the mounting option chosen is done so based on the needs of the owner as well as the primary use of the system and the configuration of the available space. Mounting options other than basic stud mounting include ceiling mounts, fireplace mounts, cabinet mounts, and in-wall boxes.

Many home theater owners prefer a mounting alternative other than coming off the wall and going into the wood studs. One choice is taking advantage of a ceiling mount application. For effective ceiling mounts, home theater owners are encouraged to use ceiling plates with either a standard or telescoping pipe, including a collar that goes around the pipe and fits above the ceiling plate. The collar holds the pipe in place and takes all the stress off of the threads. The ceiling plate is one solution when electing to bypass the use of studs and is not typically used in a residential environment.

Fireplace mounts allow home theater owners more flexibility in their mounting options when a fireplace is a primary component of their home theater environment.
Articulating and ceiling mounts can all be used over the fireplace. The primary consideration is the structural support load and the wall itself. Mounting alternatives are necessary when fireplace materials, such as marble, rock, or slate, require the dropping down of the display from the ceiling rather than from the fireplace itself.

Cabinet mounts and in-wall boxes are two more mounting solutions for home theater owners who have carefully considered their mounting requirements and wish to have their displays mounted in a more inconspicuous fashion. For either option, proper measurement and preparation are key, along with adequate support for the unit itself. Both cabinet mounts and in-wall boxes allow heavier sets to be mounted with the support of the cabinet or wall materials and specially designed plates.

The last mounting option that addresses owner preference is an articulating mount that allows the viewer more viewing position flexibility. Articulating mounts may be implemented using single-stud or dual-stud models, depending upon the demands of the set and the room design. The advantage of the articulating mounting product is the versatility it provides when mounting the display set in such areas as the corner of the designated home theater room. When the TV is diagonal to the corner of the room, anything that is holding the display behind it is hidden anyway.

Regardless of the mounting option selected, it is important for the theater owner to understand the limitations and requirements of their respective display sets and room design before making any mounting decisions. The problem to avoid is the costly one of an inadequate mount that results in the damage or destruction of the set from an improper mount.