DIY fix for ruined wall, hanging TV - possible "media wall"?

codingtutor

Hi all

Just looking for suggestions to get this done with minimal cost.  A few builders have quoted £400+ to get the wall plastered again. 

I have removed my fire unit from the fireplace and I would like to "make it good" and hang my TV to the wall.

The area is made up of a (fake?) chimney breast with brick/tiles in the middle for the chimney area.

Should I:

1. Remove existing plasterboard completely, put up new plasterboard and fix TV bracket to the plasterboard, then ask a plaster to skim it.

2. Remove existing plasterboard completely, remove the brick tiles in the middle, add extra timber for TV bracket support, put up MDF and paint me.

Ideally, I want to do as much of the tasks myself with the cleanest finish.

Thank you

Martin_the_Unjust

I would tend to go for option 2 but make sure all the cables for the TV can be hidden behind the mdf.

codingtutor

Thank you. 

A power cable and internet cable for the TV is required so I'm hoping that would fit if there is a void with a depth of the timber batton. 

I've never done something like this before but would I order the MDF as pre-cut panels? 

Sandtree

codingtutor said:

I've never done something like this before but would I order the MDF as pre-cut panels? 

Most admit that I am struggling a little with the options and the photo to be able to comment on the first part. 

I am terrible with a jigsaw and dont have a track circular saw and so personally would buy any sheeting precut if possible, more expensive but much neater than I would do. 

Whats on the other side of that wall? How loud do you like your TV? The only other consideration would be if you need any sound proofing in your design which can be done in a few different ways.

Carrot007

Do remember to care for your neck and that a tv should be hung so 3/4 is lower than than your viewing position natural eye point. (So low).

As for the rest I would just do it myself. Yes remove plaster boards.No dido not put more on dio it right. The top coat is hard but get a sander.

codingtutor

Thank you @Sandtree  

I will source pre-cut for everything. In fact, I have just found on Fiverr a designer who can do the plan which will make it easier to source in the pre-cut. I might use this for help. 

There is nothing on the other side of the wall, the house is detached. 

@Carrot007 - great point about the eye level, we will have it the level you have suggested. Sorry I couldn't understand your second sentence? 

Thanks

stuart45

I did a similar job for a friend on his walls and round a chimney breast. Used 2x2 for battens and plasterboard, and 4x2 for a TV fixing point. Plasterboard is a fair bit cheaper than MDF. There was plenty of room behind for cables.

Sandtree

codingtutor said:

@Carrot007 - great point about the eye level, we will have it the level you have suggested. Sorry I couldn't understand your second sentence? 

Many people put their TVs too high on the wall meaning you are leaning your head back to look up at it that isnt ideal. 

Carrot was saying that if you measure your eye level from the floor (on our sofa thats about 1m)  then your TV should be hung so that 75% of the TV is below 1m and 25% is above. So with our TV thats 70cm tall them the top of the TV would be 1.18cm from the floor.

Personally I prefer it slightly higher than this but can certainly feel it when going round to our friends and watching a film with their TV mounted above a fire place. 

plumb1_2

Take down the old board etc

Put some extra 3x2 vertical studs in, fit a plywood/mdf timber panel set into the studs approx same height as the tv.
Then screw plasterboard to the studs,using gyproc screws  then just fill the screw holes, and the edges. If wider than 1200 get tapper edge boards.

codingtutor

plumb1_2 said:

Take down the old board etc

Put some extra 3x2 vertical studs in, fit a plywood/mdf timber panel set into the studs approx same height as the tv.
Then screw plasterboard to the studs,using gyproc screws  then just fill the screw holes, and the edges. If wider than 1200 get tapper edge boards.

Thanks - I like this option a lot. Nice, simple and straightforward. 

My only question is should I also remove the brick tiles in the middle? These come out by 2cm or is there a way to use level it out by fixing plywood over it or thinner studs? 



Thanks

codingtutor

Inside the void/chimney