Mounting a TV to brick fireplace - Brick or Mortar?

[salennon07]

Hoping I can get some advice on here as there is a lot of conflicting info out there that I've been reading. Essentially getting a new TV and wanting to mount it, however the only way to center the seating with the TV in the living room is using the back side of fireplace and I have never used anything other than a stud in the past . I don't use the fireplace and the actual opening of the fireplace is on the opposite side.

I would originally think you would want to mount into the mortar... however the more I have read the more confusing it gets. Just curious if anyone on here has done something similar and what you did to complete? Or if we have any construction gurus that can help point me in the right direction.

 

[JM4CY]

Brick.

 

[Brandon]

3/16" tapcons drill into mortar

 

[Stewo]

Partially mount in both brick and the mortar.

*I have no idea what I'm talking about.

 

[3TrueFans]

I don't have any experience with it but mounting something heavy like a TV into the mortar seems like a really bad idea. I'd definitely drill into the brick to mount it.

 

[octaviouspoon]

Gorilla Glue

 

[cyclonesurveyor]

I've done 2, Brick all the way.

 

[ISU_phoria]

I've done 2, Brick all the way.

I've done a couple as well. I drilled into the mortar - figured it would be easier to patch/hide if I (or some future owner) didn't want the TV there. But, I also mounted my center channel speaker and based on the bracket spacing, I drilled into the brick. Both turned out just fine.

I think the reality is that you can go either route and should have no issues with it being "structurally sound." I wouldn't over think it.

 

[Farnsworth]

I know next to nothing about construction, so I can't talk to your current situation.

We are however looking to redo our fireplace from half wall (with TV mounted above in studs) to a floor to ceiling fireplace. The contractors I talked to about the project recommended leaving a square cut-out in the brick so you can mount directly to the studs, and also house/run wires behind the wall.

 

[chuckd4735]

If its something light, I would say mortar just because if you ever want to take it down, its easier to fill/match holes in mortar than it is brick. However, with something like a TV, I would definitely go brick.

 

[Acylum]

Tap into the mortar. Never the brick.

 

[2forISU]

Either one since the TV is lightweight, but the mortar will be easier to get a more level surface and is the more sturdy of the two.

 

[flynnhicks03]

I know next to nothing about construction, so I can't talk to your current situation.

We are however looking to redo our fireplace from half wall (with TV mounted above in studs) to a floor to ceiling fireplace. The contractors I talked to about the project recommended leaving a square cut-out in the brick so you can mount directly to the studs, and also house/run wires behind the wall.

This is what we did in our basement.

 

[ISU_phoria]

If its something light, I would say mortar just because if you ever want to take it down, its easier to fill/match holes in mortar than it is brick. However, with something like a TV, I would definitely go brick.

For what it's worth, I have my 65" TV mounted above my fireplace and I drilled into the mortar (the mount came with specific anchors for mounting to masonry). My TV has been there for several years now and I've had kids bang on it, etc. No issues at all.

 

[BoxsterCy]

I do love me a good CF home design/construction thread.

 

[mj4cy]

I'll be in the same boat as the OP in a month or so. The wife wants to spend a ton of money taking out a wood casing over the fireplace and replacing with stone. So I got that going for me...

 

[ImJustKCClone]

Our wall extends to both sides of the fireplace and backs up to the garage. We mounted a 60" beside the fireplace. We debated putting the TV centered over the fireplace, but decided against it as we would be setting it in front of the chimney and our fireplace is used continuously in the winter.He drilled through the mortar and wall and put plates on the back side of the wall (in the garage) to distribute the weight better. His comment: "I don't trust the brick OR the mortar completely".

 

[keepngoal]

I have done this, successfully, with what was mentioned above: 3/16" tapcons drill into mortar

 

[Tre4ISU]

Mortar.

 

[3TrueFans]

OP is in the clear since the fireplace opening is on the other side but the rest of you people mounting tv's above fireplaces should be ashamed of yourselves.