Best TV mount
above a brick fireplace.

Mounting a TV above a fireplace is the most-requested install in Tampa, and also the one with the most internet myths attached. The biggest myth: "you'll ruin your neck staring up at the TV." This is true if you use the wrong mount. Use the right one, and the TV ergonomics are identical to a normal living-room install.

Here's the breakdown of the three bracket types and which one to actually buy.

Option 1: Fixed mount (don't do this).

A fixed mount holds the TV flat against the wall, with no movement. Cheapest option ($35-50). For an above-fireplace install, this is almost always the wrong choice.

Here's why: above a fireplace, the bottom of the TV is typically 60+ inches off the floor (vs 42-50 inches for a normal install). When you sit on the couch, your eyes are at 42-46 inches. So you're looking up at a 15-25 degree angle — uncomfortable for more than 10 minutes.

Some people compensate by leaning the couch back. Others get used to it. Most regret the install within a month.

Option 2: Tilt mount (acceptable).

A tilt mount lets the top of the TV pivot away from the wall, angling the screen down toward the viewer. Tilt range is typically 0-15 degrees. Cost: $55-100.

For above-fireplace installs in Tampa, this is the minimum acceptable option. With a 10-15° tilt, the screen aims at your seated eye level reasonably well. The TV stays close to the wall (1-3 inches off), which preserves the clean fireplace aesthetic.

Limitations: the TV is still high up. If the bottom of the screen is 60+ inches off the floor, even a 15° tilt may not bring the picture fully comfortable for everyone in the room.

Option 3: Full-motion tilt-down mount (correct answer).

A full-motion tilt-down mount lets the TV pull away from the wall (typically 6-20 inches), swivel left-right, AND tilt down. Cost: $95-300 depending on quality.

This is what we install on 90% of above-fireplace jobs in Tampa. Reasons:

• Pulls down 6-12 inches. When you actually want to watch, you pull the TV forward and down, lowering the screen toward eye level. When the TV is off, it tucks back against the wall — clean fireplace aesthetic preserved.
• Tilts down 15-20 degrees. Combined with the pull-down, this puts the screen at your seated eye level, not above it.
• Cable access. When the TV swings out, you can reach the back to plug/unplug things. Critical for above-fireplace installs because you can't easily remove the TV otherwise.

Recommended models we install most: Sanus VLT series (premium build, $200-300), Kanto PMX series (mid-range, $150-220), Echogear EGLF2 (budget option that still works, $95-120). All three handle 50-85" TVs and have heavy-duty steel construction.

The heat question.

You'll see warnings online: "don't mount a TV above a fireplace, the heat will damage it." This is partially true — it depends entirely on your specific fireplace and how you use it.

Modern gas fireplaces vent up the flue and rarely heat the mantel above 100°F. We've measured 50+ Tampa fireplaces with an infrared thermometer during a fire — the vast majority stay below 90°F at mantel surface. TVs are rated to operate up to 95-100°F ambient.

Wood-burning fireplaces are different — they can hit 150°F+ at the mantel. If you have a wood-burning fireplace and want a TV above it, you need a heat-shield mount (Sanus VHT) that includes a stainless deflector. We can verify with a temperature test before installing.

Mounting hardware on brick.

For brick fireplaces, always anchor into the mortar joints, never the brick face. Brick cracks under stress. Mortar holds. We use 5/16-inch lag-shield expansion anchors (250-400 lbs each), driven into mortar lines that align with the bracket bolt holes. 4-6 anchors per mount, depending on TV weight.

For stone fireplaces, the technique is similar but we may use chemical anchors (epoxy + threaded rod) on natural stone, which is unpredictable on expansion anchors.

Cable concealment options.

Three ways to hide cables on a brick fireplace:

1. Paint-matched surface raceway. Wiremold or Legrand, painted to match the brick or surround color. Almost invisible from 4 feet away. Our default, fastest install.
2. Drill through brick to wall cavity behind. Works if there's a wood-stud wall behind the brick veneer. Fully concealed, but requires structural assessment.
3. Run along adjacent drywall section. If the fireplace has drywall walls on either side, route cables there with in-wall concealment. Fully invisible.

Bottom line.

For a brick fireplace above-mount in Tampa: get a full-motion tilt-down mount (Sanus, Kanto, or Echogear). Anchor into mortar joints with lag-shield anchors. Conceal cables with a paint-matched raceway or in-wall run.

Or, if you want it done right without the headache, text us a photo of your fireplace and TV — we'll quote a flat $249 for the install (everything included), measure mantel temps if needed, and have it mounted same-day.