Some of us still have cable, and some of us are binge watching the latest Netflix originals. To get the most out of our viewing experiences, we all want a screen that makes us feel like we’re in the middle of the action. However, if you don’t have a large home or apartment and want to save space, you may decide to mount your TV on the wall. And this is where a TV frame can help. A TV frame helps block any unsightly wires or devices attached to your screen, so you can enjoy movies and shows without distractions. In this guide, I’ll explain how to build a frame for a wall mounted tv. I’ll tell you what tools and materials you need, plus give step-by-step instructions on how to do it yourself.
Locate the studs in the wall where the TV is to be mounted.
- Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall where the TV is to be mounted. If there are no studs, use a toggle bolt instead.
- Use a level to mark plumb lines on the wall vertically at each end of the area where you would like your mount placed, then measure between those marks horizontally in order to ascertain how far apart they will be when you hang your TV using them as guides (the distance between these two lines should be equal).
Use a level to mark plumb lines on the wall vertically at each end of the area where the TV mount is to be placed.
Use a level to mark plumb lines on the wall vertically at each end of the area where the TV mount is to be placed.
- Make sure that your marks are level with each other (i.e., they’re both straight up and down).
- Make sure they’re also level with the floor or ceiling, which will help you know where to place your first studs.
- And finally, make sure they’re level with some wall studs (or other structural support). The idea here is that all three marks need to be in line with one another so that once you start mounting things into this location, everything will work as expected.
Measure down from the ceiling or up from the floor a distance equal to half the width of your board plus 2 inches, and mark a horizontal line across the wall using a level.
Measure down from the ceiling or up from the floor a distance equal to half the width of your board plus 2 inches, and mark a horizontal line across the wall using a level. This is where you’ll mount your TV frame.
Measure and cut three boards for outer top and bottom support frames using a table saw. The outer frame boards should be 1 inch longer than half the distance between corners of your room (this is where you measured up/down), plus about 6 inches for overhang on each side. Cut two smaller boards for inner vertical supports using a table saw, as well as two pieces of scrap that are roughly 4 inches tall by 15-20″ long (these will be used later).
Place an inner support on top of it so the ends are flush with two ends of the outer support boards (or however many sides have been placed). Now drill pocket holes into each side of this inner support board at each end to attach it to its neighbors. You can do this by screwing small screws through both boards into each other or using Kreg Jig Pocket Hole Screws (which look like regular screws but have built-in guides that make drilling holes easier).
Measure and cut three boards for outer top and bottom support frames using a table saw.
Now that you have the TV, it’s time to make a frame for it. Measure and cut three boards for outer top and bottom support frames using a table saw. The length of these pieces should be the same size as your television plus an extra 2 inches on either side, so if your TV is 42 inches long, you’ll want to cut each board at 44 inches long. These are going to serve as the outer support beams of our frame so we can screw them together with two 2x4s in between to create something sturdy enough to hold up our wall mounted TV.
Next measure out how far apart from one another these two beams would need to be in order for them both not only touch but also cover all four sides of our television without leaving any gaps where people could look inside or see behind it once mounted on their wall. Then subtract six inches from this distance which will give us enough space underneath where wires can run under without affecting anything else; there might even be room enough here if someone wanted some hidden speakers built into their mounting system. Now take both measurements into account when cutting out these pieces; they should be made exactly 5″ shorter than whatever measurement came up first minus another 1/2″.”
Cut two smaller boards for inner vertical supports using a table saw.
Cut two smaller boards for inner vertical supports using a table saw. The height of these boards should be the same as the depth of your outer frame boards and they should fit between them when placed on edge on your work surface. Place the outer frame boards on edge on your work surface and set in place, then place inner supports in place, mark where they go, drill pocket holes into both ends of each support and secure them with screws.
Place one of the outer support boards on your work surface with its front facing up.
Confirm that the board is flat, level and square by using a framing square. Place one edge of the framing square at an end of the board and align its other edge with another end. The two edges should be exactly parallel to each other and the board should be perfectly straight from one end to another.
If your frame has a vertical support piece in each corner, like this one does, measure diagonally across from each corner into adjacent corners (across from points “A”). The measurements should all be equal to within 1/16″. If they’re not equal, adjust one piece until all four measurements match up perfectly.
Some people prefer working on sawhorses so they can keep their work higher than their knees while standing up or sitting down; but others find it more comfortable if they lie down on their backs with their feet propped up on boards placed underneath them so that only their heads stick out over the top of them (this makes it easier for working overhead).
Place an inner support on top of it so the ends are flush with two ends of the outer support boards and mark where its center is.
Now place an inner support on top of it so the ends are flush with two ends of the outer support boards and mark where its center is.
Make sure to center the inner support board. This will help you get a more accurate measurement for your marks later.
You should use a pencil or pen to mark where this center point is so you can see it clearly when you start marking other things off from here
Drill pocket holes into each side of the inner support board.
Use a drill jig and a level to make sure everything is straight. Drill pocket holes into each side of the inner support board. Use a drill bit that is the same diameter as your screws, and a depth stop on your drill so you don’t go too deep.
Screw it onto one end of the lower outer frame board closest to you, using 1 1/4 -inch pocket screws and glue.
- Use a power drill to screw the board on top of the lower outer frame board, using 1 1/2 -inch pocket screws and glue.
- Use a level to test that it’s straight.
- Use a hammer or mallet to drive them into place, if necessary.
- Tighten them with a screwdriver when they’re all in place, but don’t over-tighten because you could split your wood here.
Attach other vertical supports onto lower frame in same manner, leaving space between them equal to width of TV bracket less 2 inches, or whatever you need to allow room for mounting screws that hold bracket to wall frame (measure bracket if needed).
- Attach other vertical supports onto lower frame in same manner, leaving space between them equal to width of TV bracket less 2 inches, or whatever you need to allow room for mounting screws that hold bracket to wall frame (measure bracket if needed).
- Attach upper frame to vertical supports, using glue and 1 ¼-inch pocket screws.
- Use clamps to hold pieces together until glue dries if necessary. Drill pilot holes into outer edge of top inner support before attaching it to upper frame as this will help prevent any cracking of wood when screwing in place with screws.
Repeat steps 7-9 for upper frame except place it in opposite orientation, so outer edges face away from you after screwing it together.
Repeat steps 7 through 9 for the upper frame, except place it in opposite orientation, so outer edges face away from you after screwing it together.
Make sure that the vertical support board is flush with the ends of the outer frame boards when attaching them together. Drill pocket holes into each side of the vertical support board and attach it to outer frame board with 1 1/4-inch pocket screws and glue
Conclusion
Now you should be well on your way to building a TV frame that will look like it was made by a professional! It’s not as hard to build one yourself and get the exact dimensions you need. These tips will help guide you through the process so that even if it takes some time, at least there won’t be any surprises along the way. Takeaway: Building a frame for wall mounted TV is easy if you follow our step-by-step guide.
