TV above fireplace?

Naetha

We're just in the process in buying our new house, and we're wondering what to do with our TV in the front room.

Although the front room is of a reasonable size, it is long and thin, has a door at one end and a fireplace at the other. There are cubby holes on either side of the fireplace big enough to fit a 26" TV but not our 32" one.

We were thinking of buying a new LCD TV and hanging it above the fireplace. Would the heat from the fire damage the TV in any way? It's an open fire, and I don't know how hot they usually get above the mantelpiece.

Any ideas?

Avoriaz

I would not like to watch a TV above a fireplace for very long. It is not a comfortable viewing angle as you have to look upwards.

TVs should be at eye level or below when you are seated.

Try staring at the space for a while and you should see what I mean.

Naetha

Hmm, that's a fair point - may have to take that into account.

nearlyrich

It's not recommended to hang a TV on a working chimney breast, we have a 32" LCD on a glass stand next to the chimney breast (gas fire). Because it doesn't stick out too much it looks fine and it's not in an alcove as such, a CRT TV would not fit in the same space.