A good thing about a flat screen is the variety of places you can hang the screen, including a rough stone surface. Putting the screen on top of a fireplace frees up space in the area and adds some class to the room's atmosphere. It is just as simple as installing a TV wall bracket on a wooden wall or smooth cement finish. The same safety precautions should be followed regardless of the location of the wall brackets. Once you have decided that the rough stone surface is the ideal location for your LCD TV, check in the hardware store on the correct mounting devices. The television package may contain a wall mount but it might not be applicable to your final location. It is best to select your own TV brackets since you can specify the condition of the wall and see the displays on how the TV brackets will fit on the wall. Have an electrician help you with the wiring if necessary.
Mounting a TV above a fireplace should be high enough for easy viewing from 10 feet away. This is because the fireplace limits the screen from being placed at eye level. If the TV screen can be mounted at eye level, then the 10 foot rule does not apply. Use a tilt mount so the TV screen can be adjusted to face down for comfortable viewing. Use a static flat wall mount or tilt mount for the stone wall. Check the TV manual for recommendations on wall mounts. It may seem cozy watching your favorite show while having a fire to keep you warm but consider the heat coming out of the fireplace. Check the recommended temperatures before installing the mounts. Start a fire and take temperature readings at different levels above the fireplace. Once you find a location that has the acceptable temperature, mark it with indelible markings. Visualize the TV screen in that location while sitting in your couch. If your couch is in the right location in the room, you may have to move the indelible marks to a different place. Take measurements of the distance of the couch to the wall and height of the TV screen.
Wood Wall Brackets
When you go to the hardware, ask the attendants if they have displays similar to your measurements. They might be able to do some minor installations to help you get a better feel of the viewing aspects. You should also consider facilities to hide the wires from view. The place looks more professional and neat if you don't see the wires running all over the place. There are adhesive tapes and other accessories that you can use to disguise the cables from view. Another option would be to install an electrical wall box behind the TV or run wires through the wall to the available electrical outlets.
Be sure you have all the tools for installing the wall mount. The standard tools would be a masonry drill, wall anchors such as raw bolts and concrete sleeve anchors, a level and eye protection goggles. Place the mounting hardware on your previously marked places and see how it appears. Finalize the markings by using a level to make sure the TV wall bracket will be straight. Drill mounting holes equivalent to the size of the anchors that will be used. Insert the anchors firmly into the drill holes. Fix the TV wall brackets to the correct position and screw them to the wall. Hang the television to the mount and lock the safety tabs in place. That should secure the TV from slipping and falling off the mount. Be sure the cables are wiring are in place before mounting the TV set.