When you are investing in a luxury fireplace from Chesneys – whether it’s a fire surround, bioethanol fire, or gas appliance – it is natural to ask whether you can mount a television above the fireplace.
The short answer is: yes, in many cases you can. But it depends very much on the type of fireplace, its heat output, construction, and how the TV is mounted.
Below, we review each kind of fireplace that Chesneys stocks to explain whether you can mount a TV above it, and if so, the best practice guidelines.
1. Wood Burning Stoves
Can you mount a TV above a wood burning stove? In general, possible but with significant caveats. Wood-burning stoves produce high radiant heat, and the area above the stove can reach temperatures that may exceed safe limits for a television.
Best practice if you do:
- Measure the wall temperature above the fireplace when the stove is in use. Ensure the temperature is within the TV manufacturer’s safe operating range.
- Install a deep mantel shelf or a heat deflector above the fire opening to redirect heat away from the TV.
- Ensure the chimney path is functioning correctly with a good draw.
- Position the TV high enough and at a comfortable viewing angle (a tilt or articulating mount may help).
- Check that the wall construction behind the TV can safely support the unit’s weight, especially if it is a chimney breast or stone veneer.
Key note for Chesney’s clients: If you have one of our high-efficiency wood stoves, consult the installation guide or an expert to assess clearance to combustibles and heat dispersion.
2. Gas Fireplaces
Can you mount a television above a gas fireplace or stove? Yes – this is more straightforward than the wood-burning case, since gas stoves often emit less radiant heat (especially if they are balanced-flue or room-sealed models). But you still must verify clearances and ensure heat is not rising directly to the TV.
Best practice for installing a TV about a gas fire:
- Check the chimney or flue construction; gas stoves may still transmit heat up the chimney breast or into the wall cavity.
- Use a mantel or heat shield between the fire and the TV if the surface above the fire gets warm.
- Use a TV mount with an adjustable angle, so that even if the TV sits slightly higher than usual, it can be tilted down for comfortable viewing.
- Run wiring through conduit or fire-rated trunking if behind the fireplace structure, to protect from heat exposure.
- Check the TV manufacturer’s specifications for the maximum ambient temperature and ensure that, when the gas fire is on, the ambient temperature at the TV location remains below that threshold.
- If your gas fire is used frequently and at high output, you can test the temperature at the mounting height before committing.
3. Bioethanol Fires
Can you mount a TV above a bioethanol fire? Yes – this is the most TV-friendly scenario of the three. Our bioethanol fires burn cleanly, produce lower radiant heat than wood stoves, and do not require a chimney or flue.
Best practice for installing a TV above a bioethanol fire:
- Even though heat output is lower, you still want to maintain proper clearance: use a mantel or shelf as a deflector if the fire is inset into a wall.
- Ensure the wall or surround construction uses non-combustible materials or materials rated for the burner’s heat output.
- Check ambient wall temperature while the burner is operating at full output (per installation instructions) to confirm it remains within safe limits for the TV.
- Use mounting hardware appropriate for the wall finish behind the TV.
- Consider accessible wiring channels behind a media wall so cables are hidden without passing near the burner or above the fire aperture.
Our modern bioethanol burners are designed for flexibility, so the TV-above-fire arrangement is very achievable if done correctly.
Additional Considerations
- Viewing height: Installing a TV very high above a fireplace may require a mount with an angle adjustment for comfortable viewing.
- Cable and wall mounting: Ensure the wall behind the TV is structurally capable of bearing the TV’s weight, and that fixings do not compromise any flue or chimney lining.
- Warranty: Some manufacturers may void warranty if the operating ambient temperature exceeds specified limits – always check the manual.
- Alternate layouts: If mounting above the fire proves too awkward (heat, height, glare), you should mount your television adjacent to your fireplace or on a side wall, letting the fire serve as a separate focal point.
Can I Put a TV Above My Fireplace?
Mounting a TV above a fireplace is possible, but it depends on the type of fire and how it’s installed.
Wood-burning stoves give off the most heat so extra precautions are essential. Gas fires are easier, but you should still check surface temperatures and use protective measures. Out of the three types of fires we discussed, bioethanol are the most TV-friendly, producing less heat and offering flexible installation options.