How We Installed a MantelMount Above a Stone Fireplace
A pull-down mantel mount fixes the most common problem with a TV over the fireplace: it sits too high. Here's how we installed a MantelMount on a stacked-stone fireplace with a marble surround for a customer in Loudoun County, Northern Virginia, all 7 steps with photos from the job.
Over a fireplace, a TV usually ends up well above eye level, which is uncomfortable for long movies. A pull-down mount like a MantelMount keeps the TV high and out of the way when it's off, then brings it down in front of the mantel when you're watching. It also lets the TV swivel toward different seats.
The challenge
The customer wanted a large TV over a fireplace with a dark stacked-stone wall and a polished marble surround. Mounted normally, the TV would have sat far too high for comfortable viewing. The stone is a veneer, so the mount couldn't simply be anchored into it, and the marble below left no room for mistakes. A single slip with a drill would be permanent. The mount also came with bright white wall-plate covers that would stand out against the black stone.
The outcome
We anchored a MantelMount pull-down mount through the stone into the framing behind it, balanced it to the TV's weight, and set the stops so the screen clears the marble on the way down. We painted the white covers black to blend into the stone and bundled the cables along the arm. Now the TV sits flush and high when it's off and pulls down to eye level for movie night, with nothing on the marble but the fireplace.
What you'll need: a hammer drill and masonry bit, an impact driver, a stud finder, a level, a socket set, plastic sheeting for the floor, and a second person to lift the TV.
The install, step by step
Step 1 of 7
Cover the floor and plan the holes
Protect the hearth and floor with plastic sheeting before any drilling. Stone dust gets everywhere. Then find the studs behind the stone and mark the wall-plate holes. Stacked-stone veneer is decoration, not structure, so the mount has to be anchored through the stone into the framing behind it.
Step 2 of 7
Assemble the MantelMount
Lay the mount out on the floor and assemble the arm, wall plate and TV rails following the manufacturer's instructions. Sort the hardware before you start, because MantelMount kits include several bolt sizes for different TVs and wall types.
Step 3 of 7
Install the brackets on the TV
Lay the TV face down on a soft, padded surface and bolt the vertical brackets to its VESA holes with the correct screw length. Make sure the brackets sit evenly so the TV hangs level and the safety latches line up.
Step 4 of 7
Mount the MantelMount to the stone wall
Drill through the stone with a hammer drill and masonry bit, then drive the lag bolts into the studs behind it. Level the wall plate before final tightening. A crooked plate means a crooked TV every time it's pulled down.
Step 5 of 7
Put up the TV
With two people, lift the TV onto the mount, hook the brackets over the rails and engage the safety locks. Check that it sits level in the up position before moving on.
Step 6 of 7
Adjust the wall mount
Snap on the wall-plate covers, then adjust the mount's tension to the weight of the TV so it pulls down smoothly and stays where you leave it. Set the stops for the lowest viewing height and the side-to-side swivel so the TV clears the mantel, and level the TV in both the up and down positions.
Step 7 of 7
Paint the white covers
The wall-plate covers come in white, which stands out against dark stone. We painted them black to match the stacked stone so the mount disappears when the TV is up. Then bundle the power and HDMI cables along the arm with enough slack for the full pull-down movement, and test it several times to confirm it moves smoothly and locks in the up position.
Final result
TV up, mount hidden
When it's up, the TV sits tight above the marble surround and the black covers disappear into the stone.
Final result
Ready to enjoy
One pull brings the screen down to eye level for movie night, then it glides back up out of the way.
Stone and brick fireplaces: what to watch for
Veneer vs. solid masonry. Thin stacked-stone panels need to be anchored into the framing behind them. Solid brick or stone chimneys take sleeve or wedge anchors drilled into solid masonry, never into the mortar joints.
Heat. Check how warm the wall gets above a wood or gas fireplace. A mantel or hood helps, and some MantelMount models include a heat-sensing handle.
Clearance. The TV has to clear the mantel and any decor on the way down. Set the stops to match.
Power and HDMI. Plan the wire path before the TV goes up. Behind stone, you may need to go around the chimney chase rather than straight down.
DIY or hire a pro?
MantelMounts are heavy, and drilling into stone above a fireplace leaves no room for mistakes. A wrong hole in stone or marble can't be patched invisibly. If you'd rather have it done right the first time, Argos AV Solutions installs MantelMount and other pull-down mounts over brick, stone and drywall fireplaces across Loudoun County and Northern Virginia. See our TV mounting service and pricing.
Want this installed over your fireplace?
Send a photo of your fireplace and the TV size. We'll tell you if a pull-down mount fits and give you a written price before we start.
MantelMount is a brand of pull-down TV mount. It lets a TV sit high above the fireplace when it's not in use, then pull down to eye level for viewing, which fixes the neck strain of a TV mounted too high.
Can you mount a MantelMount on stacked stone?
Yes. Stacked-stone veneer isn't structural, so the mount is anchored through the stone into the studs or solid masonry behind it, using a hammer drill and the correct lag bolts. We find the framing first, then drill.
How long does a MantelMount installation take?
A pull-down mount takes longer than a standard TV mount because of assembly, tension adjustment and cable management. Stone or brick, wire concealment and larger TVs add time. We give you a time estimate with your written quote.
Do you install MantelMounts in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia?
Yes. Argos AV Solutions installs MantelMount and other pull-down mounts over brick, stone and drywall fireplaces in Sterling, Ashburn, Leesburg, Purcellville, South Riding, Reston, Herndon and across Loudoun County and the rest of Northern Virginia.
