How to Install a Fireplace in a Media Wall

Media walls with fireplaces are a popular interior design feature in homes across the United Kingdom. It's simple to see why. They are not only beautiful, but they are also functional, combining a flatscreen TV and an electric fireplace into a single eye-catching feature. If you want to build one in your home, keep reading to learn how to build a media wall with a fireplace...

A hole in the wall or a stud wall  

Before you start gathering your tools or hiring a builder, you must first make a decision.  

Do you want to cut a hole in the wall for your fireplace or build a stud wall?  

This decision is frequently influenced by the current configuration of your living room.  

If you already have a chimney breast, it's usually simple to install an electric fireplace and then a television above it.  

Consider a chimney breast to be a ready-made media wall.  

If you live in a newer home, however, you will almost certainly have to build a media wall from scratch – this is known as the stud wall option.  

For the purposes of this guide, we'll show you how to build a stud wall media wall from scratch.  

Selecting a Media Wall Fireplace

It is critical to decide on the type of fireplace you want for your media wall. This is due to the fact that the fireplace you select will have an impact on the wall's construction.

There are two types of media wall fireplaces available:

• Media fireplaces with a hole in the wall
• Media wall fireplaces that are wall-hung (also known as wall-mounted)  

A stud-wall-based media wall can accommodate both types of fire. They simply have different installation specifications. Later in this article, we'll go over each of these installation types.

More information on these two types of media wall fireplaces can be found below.

Media fireplaces with a hole in the wall

Hole in the wall media wall fireplaces are among the most beautiful and appealing fireplaces available.  

Because they are embedded in the wall, they have a very smooth, sleek appearance, which contributes significantly to the appeal of media walls.  

However, because they must be embedded in the wall, you must take this into consideration during construction. You must ensure that the stud wall that forms your media wall has enough space to accommodate the fireplace.  

Some hole in the wall media wall fireplaces also allow you to expose two or three sides. As shown in the image below, this creates a truly spectacular focal point in your media wall, but remember to factor this into your construction process.  

Wall-mounted media fireplaces

A wall-hung media wall fireplace is the second type of fire you can use with your media wall.  

These fireplaces, as the name implies, sit on the outside of the media wall and are attached to it with a bracket or hanging screws.

Wall-hung media wall fires can be just as appealing as hole-in-the-wall fires, but they lack the sleekness and integration into the media wall.  

Although it is possible to purchase wall-hung media wall fires that are very slim and appear to be hole in the wall fires,

One of the most significant advantages of wall-hung fires is that they are not only simple to install, but they also facilitate the construction of media walls.  

Shop Now

Read our complete guide to media wall fireplaces to learn more about the different types of fires that can be used with media walls.

Selecting a Media Wall Television

Because we are not AV experts at Direct Fireplaces, we will keep this section brief.  

When it comes to choosing a TV for your media wall, you'll have the same options as when it comes to choosing a fireplace. Would you like your television to be 'embedded' in the media wall? Or would you prefer to hang the TV on the media wall?  

Whatever type of TV you choose, you'll need to account for it when building your media wall. For example, if you want to embed your TV in the media wall, it will be a slightly more difficult task than simply hanging a TV from it because you will need to create a recess for the TV to sit in.  

We also strongly advise you to double-check the weight of your chosen television. This is due to the fact that stud walls are not load-bearing structures. As a result, your media wall may be unable to support the weight of a particularly large/heavy TV.  

If in doubt, consult a professional builder.  

The final consideration is the TV's proximity to the fireplace. While electric media wall fireplaces do not produce a lot of heat, it is important to check the TV manufacturer's instructions and warranty for heat damage.  

If you are unsure, contact an AV specialist who will be able to assist you further.

How to Make a Fireplace Media Wall

If you're creating a media wall from scratch, you should first decide whether you want to do it yourself.  

Building a stud wall necessitates some carpentry skill, whereas installing the television and fireplace may necessitate moving plug sockets - so you'll need to be comfortable working with electricity.  

In our experience, if you have any doubts about your ability to complete the job yourself, we strongly advise you to hire a professional builder. It may cost you a little more, but it could save you a lot of trouble.

Choosing a location for your media wall

Whether you build your media wall yourself or hire a contractor, you must choose a location for it.  

Because the media wall will be the focal point of your room, hosting both the fireplace and the television, most people will want to place it in a central location e.g. g in the center of the main living room wall  

That's a straightforward and sensible location, but before you commit to it, consider the depth of the media wall (how far it will protrude from the main wall it's against) and things like viewing angles.  

For example, will someone sitting on a sofa or armchair to the side of the media wall be able to watch TV comfortably?  

After that, you should check to see if the wall you've chosen has enough plug sockets and how close they are to the media wall. You'll need at least two: one for the fire and one for the TV.

If the plug sockets are a long distance from where you want the media wall to be, you'll have to consider moving them during the construction process (most people don't want long electrical cables trailing across the main wall of their living room).

Taking measurements

The following step is to begin taking measurements.  

The size of the fireplace and television are the most important factors to consider at this point. Because the wall must provide adequate support for both of these, you must ensure that it is wide enough to accommodate them safely.  

You must also consider the type of fireplace and television you are installing.  

As previously stated, the size of your media wall will be determined by the type of fireplace and television you select. If you want to go the sleek 'hole in the wall' route, you'll need to consider the internal dimensions of the cavities in which the TV and fireplace will sit.  

Measuring for a wall-hung fireplace and television is simpler, but keep in mind how far they will protrude from the media wall once mounted.  

Putting up the stud wall

After you've measured everything, you can begin constructing the stud wall.  

A stud wall is a wall constructed with a wooden frame. The'studs' are the vertical lengths of wood.  

If you're going to hang your TV and fireplace on the wall, you'll need to screw them into the studs.

A series of horizontal lengths of wood are then used to brace the studs. These are intended to add rigidity and strength to the media wall and should not be used to support wall-mounted fireplaces or televisions.

If you want to incorporate your fireplace and TV into the media wall, you'll need to carve cavities or recesses into the wooden stud frame to accommodate them.  

It is critical that the depth of these cavities be carefully measured. Once the TV and fireplace are installed in the cavities, make sure they are flush with the outer surface of the media wall.

It is recommended that these recesses be constructed in the same manner as the rest of the wall, with studs and supporting cross beams. This is due to the fact that, depending on the model of TV or fireplace, brackets will need to be installed within the recesses to support and mount the appliances.  

Setting up the TV and fireplace (included)

If your TV and fireplace will be wall-hung, skip this section. This article will go over wall-hung installations in more detail later on.

After you've finished the basic frame and outline of your stud wall, the next step is to mount the TV and fireplace (if you're embedding them in the wall).  

In most cases, mounting brackets will be required to support the appliances. This is usually a simple job that involves drilling into the studs in the recesses.  

Once the brackets are in place, simply hang the fireplace and TV from them.  

If you measured correctly, the TV and fireplace should now be flush with the media wall's outside surface.  

The power supply

As previously stated, it is critical that you have considered the location of the plug sockets you will need in relation to the position of the media wall.  

You'll need at least two plugs (one for the fire and one for the TV).

Personal preference will determine the next steps.  

Some people prefer to place the plug sockets right next to the media wall. The power cables from each appliance will be routed along the inside of the stud wall frame with nail-in cable clips, with the plugs emerging outside the frame near the bottom of the media wall.  

This option allows you to unplug the TV and fireplace whenever you want, but it does expose the plugs (albeit discreetly).  

The other option is to incorporate the plug sockets into the media wall itself (either by positioning the media wall over existing plug sockets or by moving plug sockets).  

Again, the cables from the appliances can be routed along the stud wall frame with nail-in cable clips until they reach the plug sockets. This option conceals the plug sockets completely, but it requires you to leave the TV and fire permanently plugged in.  

Please keep in mind that any electrical work, such as rewiring or moving plug sockets, should always be performed by a qualified electrician.  

Completing and covering your media wall

After you've finished the main wooden frame of your media wall and installed your fireplace and TV, it's time to add the finishing touches.

If you want to give your media wall a smooth finish and make it blend in with the other walls in your living room, we recommend covering the wooden frame with plasterboard.

Plasterboard is available in precut sheets, with a standard sheet measuring 2,400 x 1,200 x 9 inches. mm and costing approximately £8-10

It is simple to install; simply cut it to the required size and screw it into place with a drill. Remember to drill into the studs (vertical wood lengths) rather than the horizontal wooden frame sections.  

After all of the plasterboard has been installed and your media wall has been completely covered, the next step is to skim the plasterboard.  

Skimming the plasterboard will help to conceal the screws used to secure the plasterboard in place. It will also produce a nice smooth surface that is ideal for painting.  

If you are unsure about your skimming abilities, contact a local plasterer who will be able to assist you.  

After this has dried, paint your wall and you'll be ready to enjoy your new media wall and fireplace.

Installing the TV and the wall-mounted fireplace

If you want to hang your TV and fireplace on the wall, you should do it now (after the skimmed layer on the plasterboard has dried).

While each TV and fireplace is slightly different, they are typically mounted to a wall in one of two ways:

• Using a screwed into the wall wall bracket
• Using specially designed hanging screws that are screwed into the wall

As you can see, these two methods of installation are very similar. They are both focused on screwing into the wall.  

When screwing into your new media wall, it is critical that you screw directly into the studs. If you don't hit the studs, you'll end up with an unsightly hole in the middle of the plasterboard panels...

To avoid this, use a stud finder tool. This is a useful device that can be run over the wall. When it detects a stud, it will beep or notify you.

But before you reach for the drill, carefully measure (with a tape measure and spirit level) and mark the location of your fireplace and TV.

Some wall-mounted fires come with templates to assist you with this.  

You will also need to consider how you will wire your fireplace and TV and connect them to your electrical outlets.  

Plug sockets can be installed on stud walls. Installing new plug sockets directly behind the TV and fireplace is one option. The plugs will be hidden from view this way. You'll need a special electric socket box designed for use in stud walls if you want to do this.  

As always, if you have any concerns about working with electricity, seek professional assistance.

Read our complete guide here for more information on how to install a wall-mounted electric fireplace.

The final touches

After you've completed these steps, your media wall will be nearly finished.

However, there are a few finishing touches you may want to include. Some people, for example, like to add a skirting board to the bottom of their media wall, so that it matches the rest of the room's skirting board.  

Others prefer not to use it, allowing the media wall to stand out from the rest of the room.  

If you're really into AV and technology, you might want to consider adding more features to your media wall, such as speakers.  

It is ultimately up to you.

The best electric fireplaces for media walls

As you can see, putting together a media wall with a fireplace in your home isn't the most difficult task on the planet.  

Yes, it does necessitate some construction skills and knowledge, but the end result is well worth it.  

A media wall not only creates a stunning focal point in your living room, but it can also increase the overall value of your home.  

Do you want to build a media wall in your home? Then, below, we've listed some of the best wall-mounted and hole-in-the-wall electric fires for media walls.  

The best electric wall fireplaces for media walls

If you want to go the wall mounted (also known as wall hung) route for your media wall, the electric fires listed below are ideal.  

Electriflame VR Basilica Celsi Electric Wall Fire

Shop Now

Choose the Celsi Electriflame VR Basilica if you want a sleek, slimline wall mounted electric fire that appears to be seamlessly integrated into your media wall.  

This wall-hung electric fire has a truly stunning appearance and is available in satin champagne or satin silver, as well as Celsi's ingenious E-VR Flame Projection Technology.

This VR technology can generate an extremely realistic flame effect, which, when combined with the realistic silver birch log fuel bed, effortlessly makes your room feel comfortable and warm.

Alpine Wall Mounted Electric Fire by OER

Shop Now

Do you want the fire on your media wall to stand out and become a focal point in and of itself? Then something like OER's Alpine would be an excellent option.  

The Alpine will undoubtedly stand out on a media wall, and its design includes a shelf where you can store small items such as lightweight speakers or remote controls for your media wall TV.

The OER Alpine will add a touch of class to your media wall because it is made from genuine natural materials such as natural oak, porcelain, and more.

It also has a three-sided fire, which adds another layer of depth and interest to your media wall. It's also simple to put together, with the necessary mounting brackets included in the box.

The best electric fires for media walls in a hole

Do you want to make a truly modern media wall with a fire and TV built in? In that case, a hole in the wall electric fire will suffice.

These electric fires are intended to be installed within a recess in media walls and to be flush with the front surface of the wall. This results in a sleek, smooth appearance that many people appreciate.  

Here are a few of our most popular hole in the wall electric fires for media walls.  

Flare Avella Grande Electric Fire Hole in the Wall

Shop Now

Choose the Flare Avella Grande hole in the wall electric fire to create a truly sleek, modern-looking media wall.

Using cutting-edge LED technology, the Avella Grande can replicate the shimmering, smoldering effects of a natural flame with incredible realism.

The Avella Grande lives up to its name, measuring 45 inches wide.  

It's ideal for media walls with a large widescreen television. It can be difficult to find a media wall fireplace that matches the most expensive televisions - but the Avella Grande is up to the task.

The Avella Grande is available in two finishes: black nickel and matt black, making it simple to match your media wall and TV.

With thermostat controls and the ability to display flames on the LED screen with or without the heater running, the Avella Grande is a highly versatile home heating option.

Stratus 100 Extra Slim Hole in the Wall Electric Fire by AGA Rayburn

Shop Now

If you're building a media wall with a very narrow depth, choose a media wall fireplace like the AGA Rayburn Stratus 100.

The Stratus 100 has a depth of only 130mm, allowing it to fit into even the narrowest media walls.  

Despite its small size, the Stratus is a bold and eye-catching media wall fire, thanks in large part to its large screen front. To add even more interest, the flames can be changed to a variety of colors. It produces a beautiful shimmering fire effect when combined with the crystal fuel bed.  

The Stratus has a 1 as well. 9kW heat output is sufficient to remove the chill from a room while posing no risk to any television mounted above.  

We at Direct Fireplaces are happy to assist you.

We understand that before you dive into the project of installing a new fireplace and media wall, you may have some questions.

And we are delighted to assist.

Our team has decades of experience advising customers on fireplace projects of all sizes. We are happy to provide you with free information and advice prior to your purchase as the UK's authority on media wall fireplaces.  

Simply call 0161 516 2395 or email [email protected], and our team will be happy to assist you.

The location of media wall fires

Direct Fireplaces is the UK's leading retailer of media wall fireplaces. If you want to choose the best fire for your media wall, then look through our extensive selection today.  

Aside from being the home of media wall fires, we are also the home of numerous advantages, such as mainland UK delivery is free. , 14-day no-hassle returns as well as competitive financial alternatives  

Direct Fireplaces has the best media wall fireplace on the market.

Shop media fireplaces on the wall now at Direct Fireplaces

Read the Direct Fireplaces blog for more installation tips, purchasing guides, and information...

What Types of Fires Can Be Used in a Media Wall? | Introducing Media Wall Electric Fireplaces and Hole in the Wall Electric Fires