I am installing a gas fireplace in a home I am currently rehabbing that I am
going to be moving into by the end of the year. What I want to do is build
stone surround for the fireplace, 4' tall x 4' wide. On top of the mantel, I
want to build an oak TV cabinet that goes all the way up to the ceiling. In
order to fit my current TV, the cabinet would need to be 24" deep. meaning
the fireplace surround would need to be 24" ~ deep. The gas insert only
requires about 16".
My brother, who is helping me rehab the house, thinks the fireplace will
look stupid that far off the wall. I can't say I can remember seeing a
fireplace that far off the wall, but if you can envision it, I am curious to
what other think, I certainly don't want to put the effort into something
that doesn't look right.
Leuf wrote:
>
> Even if you were somehow born without the instinct to buy a new flat
> screen tv, if when presented with the perfect excuse you do not act
> upon it you really should seek professional help. Think how much
> money you'll save not having to build out that far, not how much they
> cost.
Exactly. If you can't persuade someone to agree to your want,
fabricate a need. Then, after they've bitten, and you have the TV
delivered and paid for, start discovering all of those "hidden"
obstacles that are just _chewing_ you up inside but are absolutely
essential. Like built in speakers, component lifts, and a remote
Peltier Beer cooler.
R
Locutus wrote:
> I am installing a gas fireplace in a home I am currently rehabbing that I am
> going to be moving into by the end of the year. What I want to do is build
> stone surround for the fireplace, 4' tall x 4' wide. On top of the mantel, I
> want to build an oak TV cabinet that goes all the way up to the ceiling. In
> order to fit my current TV, the cabinet would need to be 24" deep. meaning
> the fireplace surround would need to be 24" ~ deep. The gas insert only
> requires about 16".
>
> My brother, who is helping me rehab the house, thinks the fireplace will
> look stupid that far off the wall. I can't say I can remember seeing a
> fireplace that far off the wall, but if you can envision it, I am curious to
> what other think, I certainly don't want to put the effort into something
> that doesn't look right.
>
>
Hard to say how it will look without being able to see the room, but I
have a serious suspicion that a TV over a fireplace will be too high.
Unless the room is huge and you plan on watching from 20-30 ft. away,
you will end up with serious neck strain.
"Charlie M. 1958" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Locutus wrote:
>> I am installing a gas fireplace in a home I am currently rehabbing that I
>> am going to be moving into by the end of the year. What I want to do is
>> build stone surround for the fireplace, 4' tall x 4' wide. On top of the
>> mantel, I want to build an oak TV cabinet that goes all the way up to the
>> ceiling. In order to fit my current TV, the cabinet would need to be 24"
>> deep. meaning the fireplace surround would need to be 24" ~ deep. The gas
>> insert only requires about 16".
>>
>> My brother, who is helping me rehab the house, thinks the fireplace will
>> look stupid that far off the wall. I can't say I can remember seeing a
>> fireplace that far off the wall, but if you can envision it, I am curious
>> to what other think, I certainly don't want to put the effort into
>> something that doesn't look right.
> Hard to say how it will look without being able to see the room, but I
> have a serious suspicion that a TV over a fireplace will be too high.
> Unless the room is huge and you plan on watching from 20-30 ft. away, you
> will end up with serious neck strain.
The fireplace is a gas fireplace and will be well insulated within the
surround, and it's not like it is going to be used all of the time, only
occasionally. I am not really concerned with the heat. The TV will be about
52" above the ground, recommended viewing height for a 32" TV is 36" - 40",
so it won't be *that" high.
The TV cabinet will have doors, so when the TV is not in use it will not
look out of place.
I am seriously considering a flat screen, though I will still enclose it in
a cabinet, it will allow be to reduce the footprint of the surround to about
20". Though a new flat screen isn't really in the budget...
I appreciate everyone's feedback!
And how obsolete that hole for the TV is going to look in another ten years
if you don't buy and include a flat screen TV in your design now.
--
Charley
"Leuf" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 20 Nov 2006 17:31:15 -0500, "Locutus"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >I am installing a gas fireplace in a home I am currently rehabbing that I
am
> >going to be moving into by the end of the year. What I want to do is
build
> >stone surround for the fireplace, 4' tall x 4' wide. On top of the
mantel, I
> >want to build an oak TV cabinet that goes all the way up to the ceiling.
In
> >order to fit my current TV, the cabinet would need to be 24" deep.
meaning
> >the fireplace surround would need to be 24" ~ deep. The gas insert only
> >requires about 16".
> >
> >My brother, who is helping me rehab the house, thinks the fireplace will
> >look stupid that far off the wall. I can't say I can remember seeing a
> >fireplace that far off the wall, but if you can envision it, I am curious
to
> >what other think, I certainly don't want to put the effort into something
> >that doesn't look right.
>
> Even if you were somehow born without the instinct to buy a new flat
> screen tv, if when presented with the perfect excuse you do not act
> upon it you really should seek professional help. Think how much
> money you'll save not having to build out that far, not how much they
> cost.
>
>
> -Leuf
"Highland Pairos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> While I like the fabrication of an excuse, I do have to agree with Ed on
> this one. I have never liked the look of the TV over the fireplace. I
also
> wonder how that is to view. Unless you can sit back a good distance or
you
> will definitely have recliners it seems that you would have to be looking
up
> a fair bit. I have also wondered about the heat and its effect on
> electronics.
>
I have to agree. The whole idea just has the feel of a Marriott Courtyard
hotel to me.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
"Locutus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> The TV will be about 52" above the ground, recommended viewing height for
> a 32" TV is 36" - 40", so it won't be *that" high.
Hang a piece of cardboard and sit back in your chair and "view" it. Even
better, put a portable TV on something at that height and see if it is
comfortable to view. I have a small TV in my office at that height and
while fine for catching the news or weather, I'd not want to watch it all
evening. YMMV.
"Locutus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> My brother, who is helping me rehab the house, thinks the fireplace will
> look stupid that far off the wall. I can't say I can remember seeing a
> fireplace that far off the wall, but if you can envision it, I am curious
> to what other think, I certainly don't want to put the effort into
> something that doesn't look right.
Yes, it may look stupid. Just my opinion, but a TV over a fireplace just
has to look out of place. Other concerns though are the next TV (it
probably won't fit) and heat. If the heat from the fireplace rises it cold
drasticly cut the life of the TV.
While I like the fabrication of an excuse, I do have to agree with Ed on
this one. I have never liked the look of the TV over the fireplace. I also
wonder how that is to view. Unless you can sit back a good distance or you
will definitely have recliners it seems that you would have to be looking up
a fair bit. I have also wondered about the heat and its effect on
electronics.
Just my two pennies.
SteveP.
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Locutus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>
>> My brother, who is helping me rehab the house, thinks the fireplace will
>> look stupid that far off the wall. I can't say I can remember seeing a
>> fireplace that far off the wall, but if you can envision it, I am curious
>> to what other think, I certainly don't want to put the effort into
>> something that doesn't look right.
>
> Yes, it may look stupid. Just my opinion, but a TV over a fireplace just
> has to look out of place. Other concerns though are the next TV (it
> probably won't fit) and heat. If the heat from the fireplace rises it
> cold drasticly cut the life of the TV.
>
>
>
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:C1K8h.3516$_x3.3480@trndny02:
<snip>
> I have a small TV in my office at that
> height and while fine for catching the news or weather, I'd not want
> to watch it all evening. YMMV.
>
There's actually very little on tv I'd like to watch all evening.
Including, most days, the news...
That's why there's TiVo.
Patriarch
On Mon, 20 Nov 2006 17:31:15 -0500, "Locutus"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I am installing a gas fireplace in a home I am currently rehabbing that I am
>going to be moving into by the end of the year. What I want to do is build
>stone surround for the fireplace, 4' tall x 4' wide. On top of the mantel, I
>want to build an oak TV cabinet that goes all the way up to the ceiling. In
>order to fit my current TV, the cabinet would need to be 24" deep. meaning
>the fireplace surround would need to be 24" ~ deep. The gas insert only
>requires about 16".
>
>My brother, who is helping me rehab the house, thinks the fireplace will
>look stupid that far off the wall. I can't say I can remember seeing a
>fireplace that far off the wall, but if you can envision it, I am curious to
>what other think, I certainly don't want to put the effort into something
>that doesn't look right.
Even if you were somehow born without the instinct to buy a new flat
screen tv, if when presented with the perfect excuse you do not act
upon it you really should seek professional help. Think how much
money you'll save not having to build out that far, not how much they
cost.
-Leuf
On Mon, 20 Nov 2006 17:31:15 -0500, "Locutus"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I am installing a gas fireplace in a home I am currently rehabbing that I am
>going to be moving into by the end of the year. What I want to do is build
>stone surround for the fireplace, 4' tall x 4' wide. On top of the mantel, I
>want to build an oak TV cabinet that goes all the way up to the ceiling. In
>order to fit my current TV, the cabinet would need to be 24" deep. meaning
>the fireplace surround would need to be 24" ~ deep. The gas insert only
>requires about 16".
>
>My brother, who is helping me rehab the house, thinks the fireplace will
>look stupid that far off the wall. I can't say I can remember seeing a
>fireplace that far off the wall, but if you can envision it, I am curious to
>what other think, I certainly don't want to put the effort into something
>that doesn't look right.
Depends on how you install the stone- If it's just on the front, it
may look a little odd (though not too bad, really). If you wrap it
around, it'll look great.
In article <[email protected]>, "Locutus" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I am installing a gas fireplace in a home I am currently rehabbing that I am
>going to be moving into by the end of the year. What I want to do is build
>stone surround for the fireplace, 4' tall x 4' wide. On top of the mantel, I
>want to build an oak TV cabinet that goes all the way up to the ceiling. In
>order to fit my current TV, the cabinet would need to be 24" deep. meaning
>the fireplace surround would need to be 24" ~ deep. The gas insert only
>requires about 16".
>
>My brother, who is helping me rehab the house, thinks the fireplace will
>look stupid that far off the wall.
I think your brother's right.
> I can't say I can remember seeing a
>fireplace that far off the wall, but if you can envision it, I am curious to
>what other think, I certainly don't want to put the effort into something
>that doesn't look right.
Built-ins on either side of it will reduce the apparent distance that it
protrudes into the room -- and the advice to get a flat-screen TV is spot on.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.
On Tue, 21 Nov 2006 10:32:56 -0500, "Locutus"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Charlie M. 1958" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Locutus wrote:
>>> I am installing a gas fireplace in a home I am currently rehabbing that I
>>> am going to be moving into by the end of the year. What I want to do is
>>> build stone surround for the fireplace, 4' tall x 4' wide. On top of the
>>> mantel, I want to build an oak TV cabinet that goes all the way up to the
>>> ceiling. In order to fit my current TV, the cabinet would need to be 24"
>>> deep. meaning the fireplace surround would need to be 24" ~ deep. The gas
>>> insert only requires about 16".
>>>
>>> My brother, who is helping me rehab the house, thinks the fireplace will
>>> look stupid that far off the wall. I can't say I can remember seeing a
>>> fireplace that far off the wall, but if you can envision it, I am curious
>>> to what other think, I certainly don't want to put the effort into
>>> something that doesn't look right.
>> Hard to say how it will look without being able to see the room, but I
>> have a serious suspicion that a TV over a fireplace will be too high.
>> Unless the room is huge and you plan on watching from 20-30 ft. away, you
>> will end up with serious neck strain.
>
>The fireplace is a gas fireplace and will be well insulated within the
>surround, and it's not like it is going to be used all of the time, only
>occasionally. I am not really concerned with the heat. The TV will be about
>52" above the ground, recommended viewing height for a 32" TV is 36" - 40",
>so it won't be *that" high.
The "natural" position of your head is a slight downward angle.
Computer monitors, for example, should not be set in a position that
causes you to have to look up at them, even slightly, or you get neck
strain.
Same deal w/a tv, though there are workarounds. If you plan on
watching tv from a recliner or similar, where you can lean back and
look up at the tv, ok. Otherwise, I'd reconsider. It seems to be all
the rage these days - to stick one of those flat screens above the
fireplace. So, it's done in rooms too small to accomodate the setup.
Way back when, there were these console tvs that sat on the floor and
had the screen a fews inches off the ground. One would sit on the
couch and watch them in an "ergonomicly" comfortable position.
Nowdays, that seems to be out the window and ergonomics is not
considered as everyone thinks sticking the tv on the wall, ala a
masterpiece painting, is so cool.
Of course, if you do have nice chairs you plan to lean back in, a
decent distance from the set, that's another thing.
Renata
>
>The TV cabinet will have doors, so when the TV is not in use it will not
>look out of place.
>
>I am seriously considering a flat screen, though I will still enclose it in
>a cabinet, it will allow be to reduce the footprint of the surround to about
>20". Though a new flat screen isn't really in the budget...
>
>I appreciate everyone's feedback!
>
"Locutus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I am installing a gas fireplace in a home I am currently rehabbing that I
>am going to be moving into by the end of the year. What I want to do is
>build stone surround for the fireplace, 4' tall x 4' wide. On top of the
>mantel, I want to build an oak TV cabinet that goes all the way up to the
>ceiling. In order to fit my current TV, the cabinet would need to be 24"
>deep. meaning the fireplace surround would need to be 24" ~ deep. The gas
>insert only requires about 16".
>
> My brother, who is helping me rehab the house, thinks the fireplace will
> look stupid that far off the wall. I can't say I can remember seeing a
> fireplace that far off the wall, but if you can envision it, I am curious
> to what other think, I certainly don't want to put the effort into
> something that doesn't look right.
>
My parents have a fire place that is 36" out form the wall. It does have
10" deep shelves built in on either side but 26" sticks out plus an
additional 18" for the bottom base ledge.
A large fireplace will not look odd. If it is tiny it may look a bit more
out of place.