Can You Mount A TV On Wood Paneling? (Find Out Now!)
Wood paneling is one of the most popular retro house upgrades that you can get. In a pinch, it can make your office look like a Princetonite’s study or it can turn into a retro-modern 70s game room. Or, you know, it could be retro Cali glam. The only thing is, modern equipment is required for fun. Can you mount a TV on wood paneling?
It is possible to mount a TV on wood paneling, but if your paneling is under 3/8 of an inch thick, you need to mount it to the studs behind the paneling for added security. If your paneling is over half an inch thick, you can typically mount your TV anywhere.
Having a TV on your wall is a great thing if you want easy viewing, but it has to be done right. Before you assume that you’re good to go, let’s take a closer look at everything.
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Before You Begin: Do You Have Sheetrock Behind Your Paneling?
While it may be a part of most building codes, the truth is that you don’t always have to have sheetrock behind your paneling. It’s best to have it, obviously, but it’s not always required. If you do not have sheetrock behind your paneling, you should not try to mount your television on panels alone. You will need to put them in the studs.
Heck, even then, it’s a gambit. If you want to play it on the safe side, make sure that you get the television placed on a cabinet rather than a wall. Certain types of panels crack easily, so you want to make sure they at least have some kind of backing. Bottom line? Wood paneling is fragile and you need to keep an eye out for potential breakage.
Related Guide: Can You Put Up Paneling Without Drywall?
How To Mount A TV To Your Wood Paneling
For the most part, you can expect your mounting experience to be pretty simple and fairly standard compared to most other types of walls. Here’s what you need to do:
- First, determine the width of the wood paneling. If it’s below 1/2 inch, go to step two. If it’s above 1/2 inch, then you can place your TV wherever you want it to be and can skip to step 3.
- Next, find out where the studs are behind your panels. You can usually use a stud finder or the “knock” method to find where studs are. Mark off the areas that have studs with a bit of chalk or a pencil. They are usually 18 to 24 inches apart.
- Use chalk to mark off where you want to mount your TV. Make sure that the marks are level by checking with an actual level and string. You don’t want a crooked TV. Oh, and you also should check for electric cables before you drill. You can do this with a cable detector.
- Use a power drill to drill holes in the areas you marked off. You need to drill the areas before the screws can be inserted.
- Add mounting screws to your walls and install the mounting equipment. Most mounting equipment will have instructions on the box. Follow those instructions to ensure that you have the mounting gear correctly adhered to your wall.
- Attach your television to the mounting gear you installed. Most TV-specific or brand-specific mounting gear will have a specific way to slide the TV onto the gear or screw parts of it in. Check the instructions if you need to.
Do You Need To Check For Cables And Wiring Before You Mount Your TV?
Yes, you need to check for cabling and wiring before you mount the television. Truthfully, it’s actually standard practice if you are mounting anything or doing any serious types of remodeling. In most cases, drilling without checking won’t harm anything.
However, let’s say that you don’t check and you drill right through a major electrical cable or a network cable. Congrats! You just caused serious damage to your home and might have also gotten yourself electrocuted. You might also have to call an electrician to patch up the cables you have.
Since you drilled through the cables, you will have to get that portion of the wall rewired and you won’t have electricity running in that room until you do. It’s a huge, preventable loss. Capiche?
Should You Hire A Professional To Mount A TV?
Most people will be totally fine doing their own mounting work, especially if they have some DIY remodeling work under their belts. However, there are some situations where professional TV mounting may be required.
If you have a hard time lifting items, have a condo that requires all owners to do professional mountings, or just don’t feel comfy doing it, call a professional. It might save you time, money, and tears in the long run.
How Much Does Professional TV Mounting Cost?
Professional television mounting isn’t as expensive as you would expect it to be. You can usually hire a handyman or a store-centric installation crew to do it. If you hire a handyman or professional crew to do it, you should expect the price to be between $80 to $300 in most cases.
How much you should expect to pay will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of your television and where you live. These tips below might save you some money:
- Ask your TV seller. A general rule of thumb is that television stores will offer discounted installation from an in-house tech if you buy from them. Most chain businesses like Best Buy will have someone who can help you out.
- Call an electrician. Since this can involve wiring, your electrician can help you where others can’t.
- Independent furniture installers and handymen can help you at a lower rate. You can usually find these on handiwork sites like Thumbtack or TaskRabbit. It’s best to choose a person (or set of people) who has a lot of experience installing. Check their rates before you book, too!
- If you have a very unique TV setup or want to add surround sound, you may need to hire AV techs. AV techs tend to be the most expensive, because they often will do custom wiring and mounting installations for home theaters. Of course, if you can afford a home theater, installation prices are going to be nothing for you.
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Related Questions
Is it possible to hide old screw marks in wood paneling?
While it is easy to get a screw out of wood paneling, hiding the mark it makes is a more difficult task. If you remove screws from wood paneling you might have a very difficult time hiding them. It will show, even if you try to use wood filler. Your best bet is to keep the screws in place and just try to make them flush with your paneling.
Can an electrician professionally mount a television?
Believe it or not, electricians can mount your TV for your—and in many cases, often do. Electricians are often the best candidates for the job if you have a lot of wiring running behind your wall. Most of the time, you can book an electrician to mount a TV to your wall the same day you get the TV.Price can be an issue. While they may be pricier than a typical handyman or company-bought installer, you can rest assured that all of your home’s wirings will remain intact.
Can you mount a television above a fireplace?
Fireplace installations are a bit trickier than regular TV installations. As a result, the price you expect to pay will be a bit higher. Most professional crews will charge between $175 to $400 to install a television mount above a fireplace. Some may also do a quick consultation for a fee, just to make sure it is doable. Not all fireplace installations are feasible.
Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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