How easy is it to hide the cables on a TV installation?
Installing a flat screen TV on the wall is a great way to modernize your living space, creating a sleek, minimalist look. However, exposed cables can quickly ruin that clean aesthetic. Hiding cables in the wall is a perfect solution to maintain the elegant look. But how do you hide the cables?
Each job is different and how we hide the cables depends on lots of factors. For example, a new build property with a plasterboard wall will be different to a 200 year old townhouse using plaster and lath techniques. We often do a survey first to ensure we check everything and that you're happy with how we're going to install the TV before we do anything. From that we will work out what tools and equipment we'll need, what you want from your install and how long we'll need.
There may be a few cables we need to install, power, coax (satellite or aerial), data cables (for hardwiring), HDMI cables too. Often if we're going to do something like cut a wall, we'll put in an extra couple so that if anything happens to one of the cables, there is a standby ready to be used. That way we don't have to cut the wall again to replace it. If you're getting a sound bar or extra speakers, we'll need to make sure we've got that covered too.
When is the best time to plan your TV installation?
So if you had a choice of when to do your install, it's when you're decorating or renovating. That way any cuts in the wall can be planned and done, then it will be decorated after. We generally do a couple of visits for this sort of install, one to do the bulk of the work (cutting, raggling, installing cables and moving power sockets etc) then another once the decorating is finished. Then we'll actually install the TV on the wall. This tends to be a nice, quick visit as all of the work has been done previously.
What if you're not renovating?
Most of our jobs are done without requiring any decoration. The installer will arrive, check the wall and if it's a plasterboard wall (which most are) then it's a simple job of measuring, checking power and cabling required then we'll install a suitable bracket on the wall. If needed the cables will be fished in the walls, out of the way. A power socket may be installed behind the TV so it can't be seen.
Sometimes, if we can't fish the cables in the wall and cutting the wall isn't an option, then we'll put the cable straight down and hide it in some trunking. That tends to be a quick and economic fix, it also means that the cables are easily accessible if the client wants to change them later on. It's also usually the most cost effective as it's a generally fairly quick installation compared to cutting etc.
What if they can't be fished in-wall?
If we can fish the cables and the client doesn't want trunking, then we usually cut the wall, raggle the cables into it then plaster/fill the space. This can then be painted once the plaster has dried (see below).
This works especially well for Art and frame TVs as well as Mirror TV's where you don't want it to look like a TV at all and the hidden cables will make that happen.
Often we'll use cupboards, presses and loft spaces to put any media boxes or extra pieces of equipment. Some clients will buy a nice unit or stand and we'll keep anything needed in there.
What about the Samsung Frame? Doesn't it have a One Connect box?
Yes some models of the Samsung Frame have a One Connect media box. This helps manage the TV connections so you can plug in your devices to the box rather than into the TV. This includes HDMI ports, USB ports, Ethernet, antenna, and other necessary inputs.
It can be really useful most of the time as the box can be stored in a cupboard etc but it leaves a cable from the TV to the box. It's very thin however and most of the time, if run down a wall on the outside, it's pretty unnoticeable. If you'd rather it was completely hidden, we can use a media box which is cut into the wall and the One connect box is stored inside. This will keep everything hidden but also accessible if you need to change anything at a later date.
Some Mirror TV installations
Here you can see some installs where the cables have been hidden. I think you'll agree that if the cable had been left it would have been ok but doesn't really fit the aesthetic of the mirror TV.
So how much is it to hide the cables on a TV installation?
It depends on how long the job is going to take and what kit we'll need. Most of our installs are fairly standard jobs, around £225 for the installation. If it's a TV above 55" or so, then we'll need 2 people and it will cost a bit more (usually around £275-295). As discussed earlier, most cables can be hidden in-wall fairly easily fishing cables or using a bit of trunking and this would come under a standard installation.
If we need to cut and raggle walls, or put in a media box, it will take a bit more time. If it's done during a renovation project it usually involves a couple of visits too so will cost a bit more. So the cost can be quite variable which is why we offer a consultation first. That way we can check the wall, see where the power is coming from and see how we're going to hide the cables. The install can take a couple of hours up to a day depending upon how it's to be done but it's worth the extra time to getting the install looking exactly how you want it.
So what do I need to do if I want to get a TV installed?
Just get in touch and we'll arrange a quick survey. Sometimes if we get a good enough description or you can email some photos over, we can work out what we'll need from that and won't need to do a first visit, we can just get it done on the day. The more information we get, the better really.
So get in touch or book direct via our website and we'll get it organised!
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