The proliferation of flat panel displays and the rise of digital signage applications provide an ever-growing need for integrators to mount flat panel displays. Installing them competently and efficiently saves on man-hours and can make a big difference to project profit. Premier Mounts provides some simple tips.
1, When selecting a mount, it may become confusing because many may work with your display. The installation requirements, aesthetics, flat-panel weight and adjustability should be key considerations in your decision.
2, Consider the following questions when finding the best place for the mount: Do I want the display center of the room or do I want the display in the corner? Think about how much room you may want on that wall, especially if you plan on mounting speakers on each side of the display and/or optional speakers that mount on the display? Use a poster or picture relative to the size of the display on the wall to see if you like the placement. Also be sure to check near the bottom of the wall to see if the area you plan on using to run the cable is free of obstructions (power, data, jacks, etc.).
3, Choose a mount with a mounting pattern that is compatible with the flat panel display. A proper fit ensures the right weight-carrying capacity to hold your display. The right mount could also perfectly hide behind the body of the display for a finished look. VESA compliant mounts means their mounting patterns fit most displays on the market. If you have trouble installing a display on a mount, consider a different mount or use a mounting pattern adapter.
4, To find a stud, follow these steps:
- Use a stud finding tool
- Remove the plastic outlet cover of the wall’s electrical box, then look around the box’s edges to find the stud. The actual center of the stud should be ¾ inches /1.9 cms from the box. Note that if you are working with the electrical box the breakers should be turned off to avoid injury. The wall might have heat-return ducts for a forced air furnace. Look through their grill or remove it to find the studs on either side of the duct.
- Look for nail holes or filled nail holes near the baseboard’s top edge to find studs.
- Tap the wall with your fist or hammer. Hearing a dull thump will give you an idea of the stud’s location.
- Drywall edges are fastened over studs. Look for shadows of a drywall nail or screw, or tape joint, that is on the stud.
- Drive a small finishing nail just above the baseboard molding and through the drywall to find the stud.
- Studs are seldom where you need them to be. Lateral shift gives you extra room for shifting the flat-panel to exactly where you need it.
- Determine the weight of the display and the mount. Check the wall to make sure it is strong enough to support the weight. Ideally you want to attach to a minimum of two wall studs. For wood studs, you should use lag bolts; for steel studs, you should use toggle bolts. For non-load-bearing walls or walls with stud centers of 24 inches/.6 meters, you should reinforce support by attaching a panel of plywood spanning more than one stud to the wall. This way, you should attach the mount to various locations on the plywood and still connect to the wall studs.
5, Unless you are using an ultra-thin mount, look for a mount that will give you ample space for ventilation and cable routing. You can also add adapters for hiding PCs and Mac minis within the mount to reduce clutter.
6, Don’t forget about right-angle adapters for tight clearance installations.
7, On your job walk, check the following to ensure a high-quality and cost-effective installation: Are there mounting points behind the ceiling? Is the wall strong enough for the installation? Can the mount support your device? Can you fit the installation through extension poles behind the wall or ceiling?
8, New construction or remodel? Decide on where to place your power and signal cables. Install wall power and signal connections where they will not interfere with the mount or display. This will help improve the aesthetics and cable management of your installation.