TV mounting might seem like a simple DIY job, but there’s nothing more irritating than a crooked screen. I’ve seen it dozens of times: someone saves a few quid on a professional TV installation, only to spend their movie nights tilting their head to compensate for a wonky display. Trust me, your neck will thank you for getting it right the first time.
Professional TV fitters follow specific techniques to ensure perfect alignment. They don’t just eyeball it & hope for the best — they use methodical approaches refined through hundreds of installations. I’ve chatted with several pros who’ve shared their secrets, and now I’m passing that knowledge along to you.
Whether you’re installing a modest 32-inch screen in your bedroom or a massive 75-inch behemoth in your lounge, these techniques will help achieve that perfect, professional-looking installation. Let’s examine the exact steps the experts take.
The Essential Tools for Perfect TV Mounting
Before drilling a single hole, professionals assemble their toolkit. You CANNOT achieve precision without the right equipment — that’s non-negotiable. The absolute bare minimum includes a quality spirit level (preferably 60cm or longer), a laser level, stud finder, pencil, measuring tape, and proper drill with appropriate bits for your wall type.
But here’s what separates amateurs from experts: pros often use specialized tools like post levels that attach directly to the TV bracket, providing continuous monitoring throughout the installation process. Many also employ digital angle gauges that measure to 0.1-degree accuracy. These tools might seem excessive for a one-off job, but they’re why professionals achieve consistently perfect results.
I remember attempting my first TV mount years ago with just a tiny 20cm spirit level. Big mistake! The short length couldn’t accurately measure across the entire bracket, resulting in a noticeably tilted TV that drove me mad until I finally remounted it properly. Learn from my blunder and start with appropriate tools.
Step 1: Wall Assessment and Preparation
Expert installation begins long before the drill comes out. Professionals first conduct a thorough assessment of your wall. They’re checking for studs, pipes, electrical wiring and evaluating the overall integrity of the mounting surface. Different wall types require entirely different approaches — drywall, brick, concrete, and timber-framed walls each demand specific mounting hardware and techniques.
One technique I’ve seen pros use repeatedly: they tap lightly across the wall, listening for sound changes that indicate studs or hollow spaces. They’ll also use electronic stud finders to confirm their findings, marking stud centres clearly with small pencil marks. For masonry walls, they assess mortar condition, looking for any crumbling or weakness.
The preparation stage also involves determining optimal viewing height. While there’s some debate about the “perfect” height, most installers follow the guideline that the middle of the screen should be at eye level when seated. For a typical living room, this usually places the screen centre approximately 100-110cm from the floor, but this varies based on your furniture and room layout.
Step 2: Precise Bracket Positioning Using Templates
Did you know that most quality TV mounts include paper templates? These guides are absolute GOLD for perfect alignment, yet many DIYers toss them aside without realising their importance. Professional fitters religiously use these templates to mark exact drilling points.
The process typically involves:
1. Taping the template to your wall at the desired height
2. Using a spirit level to ensure the template is perfectly level
3. Double-checking measurements from floor, ceiling and adjacent walls
4. Marking drill holes through the template with a pencil
When no template is available, experts create their own by tracing the bracket onto kraft paper or using the TV mount itself as a guide — but they ALWAYS measure twice before drilling. They’ll often use laser levels at this stage to project perfectly horizontal lines across the entire wall, ensuring the marks align perfectly with the projected laser line.
Step 3: Expert Drilling Techniques for Different Wall Types
The drilling phase is where many DIY installations go wrong. Professionals understand that different wall materials require specific drill bits and techniques. For masonry walls, they’ll use tungsten carbide-tipped masonry bits with a hammer drill function. For drywall with wooden studs, they’ll switch to appropriate wood bits.
One technique that separates pros from amateurs is pilot hole drilling. Rather than immediately drilling full-sized holes, they’ll start with smaller pilot holes to confirm positioning and check for obstacles. This cautious approach prevents potentail disasters like hitting pipes or electrical cables.
For heavier TVs (particulary those over 40kg), expert fitters sometimes use chemical anchors in masonry walls. These involve injecting special resin into drilled holes, which hardens around threaded rods to create incredibly strong mounting points capable of supporting substantial weight. It’s a bit messy but provides superb holding power in questionable wall materials.
Step 4: Using Multi-Point Levelling During Bracket Installation
With holes drilled, many would simply screw the bracket in place and consider it done. But professionals employ a technique I call “multi-point levelling” that ensures absolute precision. Instead of fully tightening all screws immediately, they’ll loosely attach the bracket, then place a spirit level across multiple points to check alignment in all directions.
The real trick comes next: they’ll make micro-adjustments before final tightening. Many quality wall mounts actually include small adjustment screws specifically for fine-tuning the level. By incrementally tightening in a specific pattern (usually working from center outward), they ensure the bracket remains perfectly level during the entire installation process.
I’ve watched a pro fitter spend nearly 20 minutes on this step alone, repeatedly checking level from different angles and distances. This obsessive attention to detail explains why professional installations look so much better than typical DIY attempts.
Step 5: Final TV Mounting and Post-Installation Verification
The moment of truth arrives when mounting the actual television. Professionals NEVER rush this crucial step. They carefully attach mounting arms to the TV first, ensuring these are level and properly centered on the display. Many use a second spirit level placed directly on top of the TV during attachment to confirm perfect horizontal alignment.
After hanging the TV on the bracket, experts perform what I call the “multi-angle verification.” This involves:
1. Stepping back to visually assess alignment from multiple distances
2. Checking level across the top and bottom of the display
3. Verifying the screen sits at equal distances from adjacent walls
4. Testing the full range of motion (for articulating mounts)
Most quality mounts include post-installation adjustment mechanisms. These allow for minor tweaking even after the TV is hung. Professionals will make these micro-adjustments while a colleague observes from typical viewing positions, ensuring the TV appears perfectly level from where you’ll actually be watching it.
Troubleshooting Common Alignment Issues
Even with perfect bracket installation, sometimes the TV itself can introduce alignment problems. Modern TVs aren’t always perfectly rectangular, and mounting points on the back might not be precisely centered. Professionals account for these variations.
One common issue occurs with larger screens: the sheer weight can cause subtle bracket flexing that affects alignment. Expert fitters counteract this by slightly overcompensating during installation, accounting for the expected shift once the full weight is applied.
Another trick of the trade: some installers use small rubber washers or spacers at strategic points between the TV and mounting arms to compensate for manufacturing irregularities. This customised approach ensures perfect alignment regardless of television construction quirks.
The Bottom Line
A properly mounted television should appear to float perfectly on your wall, with edges parallel to ceiling and floor lines. This level of precision doesn’t happen by accident — it requires the right tools, techniques, and attention to detail. The five steps professional fitters use consistently deliver superior results: thorough wall assessment, precise template positioning, appropriate drilling techniques, multi-point bracket levelling, and meticulous final verification.
While these methods might seem excessively detailed for what appears to be a simple task, they’re exactly why professional installations look so much better than typical DIY efforts. If you’re investing in a quality television, it deserves to be displayed perfectly. Your neck, eyes & overall viewing experience will thank you!
