I think you have to be most concerned about the proportions of your space. You might want to repost this question in the Decorating forums -- someone there will know better whether this will work. The problem of course is that your 60" TV takes up a lot of wall space (I have a 55" LCD). In order to make it look proportional, the fireplace would have to be pretty large. But if you make the fireplace large enough, then the TV would be too high for comfortable viewing. A 60" tv might just be too big to go above a fireplace; typically you'd see a 42" or maybe 50" flat panel tv above a fireplace.

Hi--just wanted to let you know that my sister's home has a fireplace with tv above and she hates it. It is practical only if you are reclined while viewing. If you like to read or do crafts while watching TV it isn't comfortable, and if you like to follow along with exercise programs, forget it! You wind up with a crick in your neck when you try to watch the instructor.

A friends

Here is a link that might be useful: TV Above Mantle

Have you looked at the hgtv dream home? In the basement there is a great media room with a 72" tv beside the fireplace. It is a really nice arrangement. Not what you were asking for but something I would recommend you look at.

we also "have" to put a tv over the mantle, it is the only wall space in the room - we are thinking of a 42" - the fireplace will probably not have a raised hearth so the tv would not be up so high....anyone with this kind of set up, how is it working and please post pictures if you can...

We put a 42" plasma over the fireplace on a tilt mount and we love it. We never watch tv when we have visitors (not my idea of socializing!) -- not counting the ever-present horde of teenagers, that is -- so we are indeed reclining, flopping, leaning back when we watch it. We also felt this was the only place to put it, short of sacrificing a wall to the tv, which I was unwilling to do since a conversational seating arrangement was more important to us. (I don't like lining up furniture to face the almighty tv altar.) This way it's out of the way when we don't want it, and it's wonderfully convenient when we do.

As I mentioned, we have teenagers. And we also use it mostly for movies. I don't know how I'd feel about it if we had small children or we had it on every waking moment like many families seem to. But it's perfect for us.

Hey.

This is our first home. We are still sorting out whetehr or not we'll do a fireplace insert...

but in about ....4 hours, our TV will be installed over the fireplace. Will try to post a photo soon.

As for aesthetics, its a 46inch lcd going over a fireplace. We have low ceilings of maybe 8 feet and had the surrounding mantle and shelving all done last month.

Will post photos soon!

well, as promised, this was installed 60 minutes ago. Still cleaning up and adding inputs, but here it is

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1528578}}

I think your television looks very nice.

But that wood burning fireplace was the latest technology in about the 12th century. Today they are obsolete unless you just MUST have a conventional wood burning fireplace.

If you really, really like stoking a fire, consider a wood fireplace insert. Otherwise consider installing a gas fireplace insert.

The typical wood fireplace is about 10% efficient and is rarely used since most people don't like all the mess and work involved.

A gas fireplace insert is usually about 75% efficient and many people use them a lot since they are efficient, attractive and easy to operate.

Seattle Pioneer

Thanks for the input. I'm actually considering the insert...That is the next project. You see, I had started this thread...and I am still in the info acquiring mode.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/firepl/msg0210480015085.html?19

Here is a better photo of the fireplace.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1528579}}

That looks very nice. BTW, what color are your walls (looks like Sherwin Williams "Hardware", which I love)

I think having a TV above the fire place is a horrible idea unless you do not really watch it that much.

I have some friends with one above the fire place and it's just plain annoying.

Just my opinion and take it for what's it's worth.

At the risk of offending, WHY do you want a t.v. above the fireplace???? It's supposed to be a place to relax and have some quiet.

I have seen t.v.'s above beautiful fireplaces. They look awful. No matter what you do to it, they look out of place. This has got to be the worst fupa in decorating. If you must have a t.v., put it some place else.

SG

While I agree with both grinder and gardner that a TV above a fireplace is not ideal, it's only because I think it would be hard to be looking up all the time. But we like our fireplace AND we like our TV, they aren't mutually exclusive. In our case, the couches are L-shaped, the fireplace is across from one of the couches and kitty-corner to the other, and the TV forms the rest of the "square" -- best of both worlds, but if I didn't have that open space for the TV, I'd certainly put the TV over the fireplace so I could have both.

I don't understand the strength of reaction against this idea. Every time it comes up, someone wades in with self-righteous disdain to denounce it as 'TV worship' or some such.

I feel the TV above the fireplace IS IDEAL.

The fireplace is traditionally the focal point of any room, and the furniture is oriented in that direction.

But the TV is the modern fireplace, ie: what the family stares at when not engaged in other activities.

In every room I've ever been in that contains both TV and fireplace, the furniture has a tendency to migrate in the direction of the TV.

Placing them as close together as resonably possible makes perfect sense to me, especially if the television can be hidden by a painting or doors for those intimate times when its not wanted.

My under construction homes has a wall of windows looking out accross the valley. The fireplace is going in the middle of that, so I can enjoy my fire and views at the same time. The television is going above the fireplace because it would otherwise block the view. It also keeps the room's focal points reconciled.

BTW: what's a 'fupa'?

Sorry - I did not mean to come off self-righteous. The whole problem is the same problem people have with putting artwork on walls. Art should be eye level for the best viewing.

Another thing is that the two should not be together as one takes away from the other. The last thing I would want to see are crackling flames trying to get my attention when I'm trying to get into a movie. It would be very distracting.

However - I have a 7.1 Home Theater so my views are slanted towards optimum viewing. Having a fire while a movie is playing would never happen. If the TV is just a show piece and not for serious viewing.. . . .

Thus - this Home Theater buff is against a fireplace and a TV being on at the same time during a movie.

Now you know where I was coming from.

FUPA - is something that I can not put on this forum.

I think if spiritul gardner knew what she wrote she would have a good laugh.

I'm wondering if fupa in this instance is "faux pas" which is VERY different then fupa! LOL!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Rod and DJ's House Building Adventure

Sorry if my reaction was too strong: my anger gets the better of me sometimes.

Since my fireplace will be gas, I always planned to just shut it down if I wanted to watch TV. Never anticipated a conflict because it never occured to me to use both at the same time.

As a kid, I loved to sit in the front row of the theater, and stare up at the screen. These days, I'm more inclined to the balcony. I may forgo a hearth to keep the height lower, hope I can adapt regardless...

I wondered if a 'fupa' was something like a vespa: apparently not! I'm intrigued, yet really don't want to know anymore.

Just google fupa. I told my wife and she said NO!!! LOL

We have lived in our home seven years and the television (a 25" one with VCR and DVD players) is above the gas fireplace. I love it. On cold winter nights DH and I sit in our cozy den with the fireplace on and watch TV programs. Bookcases/cabinets flank the fireplace. The TV is about 36" off the floor so no cranking our necks to watch TV.

In our new house we are building, the mantle (that we already have) is over 4' high and in the living room. We won't be putting the television there but will be installing it in a separate den, with no fireplace. I will really miss being able to feel so cozy with the fireplace burning while watching tv. But having the tv in the living room, up higher, doesn't make sense as we never have the tv on when we have guests and the living room is where the guests are entertained. Plus, the living room is much larger and it's just DH and I that watch tv so having it in a smaller room makes a lot more sense.

So, for me it all comes down to the size of the room where you will be watching tv. It doesn't make sense to have a tv in the living room, although a fireplace in the living room makes a lot of sense (a good place for guests to gather). But, if you don't have any other place for the tv, above the fireplace (especially if you can hide it with tambour doors or a picture) should work fine, as long as it's not too high off the floor.

Well - 25 inch television is not actually a real television right? Is it black and white only? LOL

JUST KIDDING!! Heck, we have 4 TVs and only a 1600 sq foot house and the smallest is 33inch!

BUT - I'm a sick dude anyway! :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Rod & DJs House Building Adventure

just wondering you clearance to combustiables concerning the molding and mantel. Any molding thicked tha 1" requires 12" clearance to the sides of the fireplace opening and I also question the mantal above code has a relationship to dept of protrusion to clearance distances. Has anyone considered what heat does to these above fireplace tvs with the fireplace burning? It seems a shame to spent all the money and have heat shorten the life of the TV.

most AV specialist will tell you that 90* air is the warmest that the plasma and LCD's will take and run at the expected life of the television, anything beyond that it will shorten the life. the hotter the air, the shorter the life. TV's use room air sucked in the bottem, and it cools the circuts as it exits the top of the TV. heat and electronics dont mix. I know its a popular thing to do, but not a wise thing to do with a $3K TV.
Put a thermometer above your fireplace and below your tv, take a reading and see where your at.

Good article with picture

Here is a link that might be useful: Plasma article

great article, just incase folks dont read it here is a clip from it

"Will the heat from the fireplace harm the plasma TV?

There are a few precautions to take before hanging a plasma screen TV over your fireplace. First, take a thermometer and tape it to the wall above the mantel, in the place where the plasma TV will reside. Then build a fire, and let it roar awhile. Now, check the thermometer. If the temperature is above 90 degrees F, then the area is receiving too much heat -- either escaping from the front of the fireplace and rising up the face, or radiating through the chimney to warm the outside wall -- for a plasma TV to hang there without receiving some modicum of residual damage. It would not be advisable to run the plasma for a long period of time while its environment is this hot. Though the Plasma TV has its own cooling system, the surrounding heat will force the Plasma display to work harder to cool itself, thus shortening the overall lifespan of the unit over time. A Plasma TV may still be run for short periods of time without harming the unit (even with the environment heat at 90 degrees F or above).

If the plasma display is not turned on while a fire burn in the fireplace, then the unit will not be harmed at all even though the temperature surrounding the unit may be warm. Of course, this might not be an option for people living in places where winter lasts seemingly forever, and fires are an everyday fact of life. In such cases, you should be advised to monitor the amount of heat your plasma display is exposed to while it is running."

Elkimmeg: those numbers vary by manufacturer. It's actually one of the factors I'm looking at in choosing mine.

A stratigically placed mantle may help keep the wall temp down...

Who is feeding you this info " those number vary by manufacturer" Clearance to combustiables is code not set by manufactures especially dealing with wood mantels Time to check the 2006 Internation Building Codes / Mechanical (IBC)

It it true a mantel can deflect heat of a fireplace but id it is too close it catches heat till it burns which having a hot fire inches under the tV may void it warranty One could install a mantel heat shield and probably protect both the mantel and tv.. This is not I know more than you I am trying to help you and offer a good safe solution wk ith the shield suggestion

even with a mantel and a blower running on the fireplace, i would be willing to bet that the air above the fireplace will be warmer then 90. Some of the least heat producing fireplaces (like the heatilator novus, the lennox merit, etc) the air above them is still in the 100*+ range. Efficient ones like the caliber or the FPX it can be 150*+ up there. No mantle is going to absorb that, no matter how well its placed. I would say if your set on putting a tv up there.. go to costco or sams club, and buy the cheapist tv that will fit your needs.

Elkimmeg, I was referring to mantle height and clearences.
I've checked the install manual for several models, to whit:
Mendota DXV60: 8"@ 18 inches above the top grill
Mendota DXV45: 8"@ 14 inches above the top grill
Mendota DXV42: 8"@ 9 inches above top of grill
Xtrordinaire 44DVXXL: 12"@ 20 inches above top of facing.
Xtrordinaire Revolution: 12"@ 16 inches above top of opening.

Stoveguy: good to know the mantle isn't going to help much. As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I won't be running the FP and TV at the same time, so won't matter to me personally. Could be of help to others, though.

We sometimes have a fire going while the tv is on, and we love it. I think I have said before that we did tape a thermometer up and check the heat -- no problem.

These "tv above fireplace" debates do surface periodically, but what I have noticed is that most if not all of the "nays" come from people who don't even have one. They know somebody that has one and they find it annoying, or they just don't like the idea of it. The people contributing to the topic who *do* have one usually LOVE it. My point, after you've done the necessary research on potential problems, is that *you* know what your options are for tv placement in your home and you know how your family lives, and if you think you'd like it, you probably will.