|
First of all it’s surprising how many trades, items and components are needed to consider when you design a fireplace entertainment area.
1) Layout - the space planning
2) TV: size, weight and style
3) Accompanying components ie cable box, DVD player, receivers, stereo etc.
4) Speakers
5) Wireless Control
6) Built-in LED lighting and switches
7) Fireplace: style, venting or chimney, and model
8) Fuel source: gas or electric
9) Power source
10) Noncombustible facing material
11) Storage needed: function, cabinetry, finishes, and accessories
12) The millwork, crown, built-ins construction, species and finishes
13) Codes, manufacturer requirements AND MEASUREMENTS!
And don’t forget the most important part-the budget.
You can see in the city condo, in the photo above, an entertainment wall with all the parts listed above. There is a 6” deep shelf to protect the TV from the heat of the fireplace by recessing it back. By recessing the TV we could lower it to 12” above the heat source. This is the usual building code requirement.
Venting
The west-end has many original “B-vent” gas fireplaces that limit the styles available to replace them with. We found this one but it needed a nice trim so we used American Black granite.
Always start your project by learning about the venting, because it will dictate the location of your fireplace, what types of fireplaces you can choose from and if you can move it at all.
The Position of the TV
Most existing fireplaces plus their mantles are too high, to be comfortable, to watch above the fireplace.
Unless you have a 30” to 32” high fireplace opening (after finished floor) you’ll have to crane your neck if you place the TV above the mantle.
So we opt to either reduce the fireplace height and add mantle or recess it, as in the above photo OR put TV off to the side.
Since the furniture layout is usually best positioned to face the fireplace (accept in some 3-sided or room divider type fireplace layouts) the TV is best positioned on the FP wall.
|
