TV in The Garage: Pros and Cons Homeowners Must Know

As homeowners, we all have that one space in our house where we go to escape from the chaos of everyday life. For some of us, that sanctuary is the garage. And what better way to enhance your garage than by adding a TV in the garage?

Imagine being able to catch up on your favorite show while working on a project or watching the big game while tinkering with your car. Not only does it add another layer of entertainment to your home, but it can also increase the value of your property.

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about installing a TV in the garage, from choosing the right equipment to the best placement options. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or looking to hire a professional, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to take your garage to the next level.

Is It Ok to Install a TV in the Garage?

TVs are electronic; like all electronic equipment, they can be sensitive. It is especially true for contemporary LED and LCD TVs that are more than 90% screens.

But that does not mean you can’t install a TV in your garage, whether for watching football matches or car repair tutorials.

The number one concern most homeowners have is that the garage temperatures might not be suitable for installing a TV. 

While it’s true that certain electronic components in a TV are not designed for extreme temperatures, most garages don’t reach such temperatures. 

Still, it’s best to know the normal temperature range for your TV set before making a move (we’ll get to the specifics in a minute.)

Since garages are not well-kept, another potential concern is dust. Dust and debris can enter your TV set, overheating its components. 

However, with a bit of consideration and cleaning, it’s not something that should stop you from installing a TV in your garage.

The Pros and Cons of Mounting a TV in Your Garage

Installing a TV in your garage can be great, but at the end of the day, it’s all about personal preferences. 

To help you make the right decision, here’s a detailed account of the advantages and disadvantages of having a TV in the garage.

Pros of Installing a TV in Your Garage

If you fix your car in your garage, having a TV can be a blessing. 

How often have you stopped working on picking up your smartphone to resume the automotive fixing tutorial you’d been following? Not only is it unproductive and difficult to follow the steps on your tiny smartphone screen, but it’s also quite irritating to keep pausing just because you hit a roadblock.

A TV screen mounted on your garage wall can help you follow your car fixing tutorials without putting your tools aside. The bigger screen is also easier to watch (and follow.)

You can connect your TV screen to your engine diagnostic and tuning software and equipment. The bigger screen would display the results more clearly than a small digital readout.

Having Fun Working in the Garage

Do you love doing DIY carpentry in your garage? A TV mounted on your garage wall can be a great way of following the DIY tutorial while working. You can also add fun by playing music or watching a comedy special if things get tedious.

Turning Your Garage Into a Party Room

Decorating your garage into a party room can have numerous benefits. Instead of messing up your living room, you can take the fun into your garage. With the addition of a TV, you can watch Netflix with your family, play video games, or watch the Super Bowl with your friends.

Since game nights and watching sports can be loud and out of control, you can do everything in your garage without disturbing your family.

Converting Your Garage Into a Gym

If you’re into having a solid physique, having a personal gym can save you a lot on the gym fee. You’d also save time you’d otherwise spend driving to the gym.

If the space shortage stops you, it’s time to convert your garage space into a gym. Apart from the usual weights and gym equipment, a TV set might be a great addition to your garage gym.

Not only can you play your favorite tracks to keep your blood pumping, but you can also watch exercise tutorials to ensure your posture and movements are accurate.

You could watch your favorite show while running on your treadmill, making your exercise routine more enjoyable.

Cons of Installing a TV in Your Garage

The only downside of installing a TV in your garage is that you’ll need to do some work to ensure a safe and fun experience. 

You’ll need to ensure that the temperature inside your garage is optimum for a TV. Regular cleaning is also important to provide a dust-free environment for your TV. 

But once you’ve done the work, the result is quite rewarding.

What to Consider When Installing TV in a Garage?

To make the best use of your TV in the garage, here are a few considerations you should keep in mind:

Maximum Temperature a TV Can Withstand

The average temperature range of LCD and Plasma TVs is 40° F to 95° F, while that of LED TVs is ​​50° F to 104° F. However, specific TV models’ operating and storage temperature ranges may vary.

Temperature above the normal operating range can prevent the normal functioning of your TV. 

Prolonged exposure to heat might lead to more permanent damage, such as dead pixels. The dead pixels result in black spots on a TV screen. 

In more extreme temperatures, the electrical components inside your TV screen start to melt. There are also several cases of TVs catching fire in extremely hot temperatures.  

So it’s best to open up your TV user manual and find your TV model’s exact operating temperature range. Then make sure your garage temperature remains within this temperature range before mounting your TV. 

You can use air conditioning to maintain an optimum temperature inside.

Minimum Temperature a TV Can Resist

Most TVs can safely operate at temperatures as low as 40° F. But if you just want to store your TV, you can do so even at -4°F without harming your TV. Since cold storage temperatures usually range from 32° F to 38° F, you can safely store your TV sets in cold storage.

But operating your TV at temperatures lower than the optimum can negatively impact its performance. You might notice a lag in the picture response time. 

Since the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) uses a viscous liquid medium, extremely cold temperatures can cause it to freeze and permanently damage the pixels. Some electronic components inside the TV can also get damaged by condensation.

Thermostat-controlled heaters are a great way to ensure that the temperature inside your garage remains optimum for your TV.

Dirt and Dust in the Garage

Garages can get messy and dirty quickly. Watching TV in such a dirty environment can result in damage. 

TVs have pre-built cooling systems that prevent the device from overheating. Dust can get inside the vents of your TV and drastically increase the inside temperature.

To prevent TV damage from dust, take the following precautions: 

• Keep your garage clean and ensure that dust and debris don’t get into your TV.
• Mount your TV on a wall or place it above ground level to prevent dust from reaching your TV.
• Regularly clean your TV set with a cloth or a soft brush to ensure that the TV vents are dust-free.
• Use compressed air to blow out the dust.

Leak-Proof Your Garage

If your garage walls or roof have cracks or holes, patch them immediately. You don’t want moisture or water to seep inside and damage your TV and other electronic devices.

How Will You Get Power to Your TV?

An important question that can easily be overlooked is: how to get power to your TV? 

Most garage outlets will already be occupied if you use power tools in your garage. And it’s now just about powering up the TV. Depending on your interests, you’ll need power outlets for a cable box, video game console, speakers, DVD player, etc.

If you don’t have enough power outlets for your devices, a surge protector offers a simple solution to using multiple outlets simultaneously. 

A surge protector, similar to an extension cord, allows you to plug in multiple devices at once. It will also protect your electronic devices from getting damaged by voltage spikes.

Depending upon your needs, you can get multiple surge protectors.

Cable Service vs. WiFi Connection

If you want to connect a cable service to your garage TV, you’ll need to find a way to run the cable into your garage and connect it to a splitter and coaxial cables. Make sure you adjust the cable so it doesn’t come in the way.

You can also ask your cable company to provide an additional cable box for your garage or run additional wires into your garage. Most cable companies will do so at no extra cost.

Do you want to connect your TV to the WiFi? Connecting your TV is important if you want to watch YouTube tutorials or your favorite content on streaming services. But there’s a problem.

Most garage walls are made of concrete and interfere with the WiFi signals. So you’ll probably need to upgrade your WiFi.

Remember, you’ll need a smart TV to use WiFi. You can get a streaming device and connect it to your TV if you don’t have one. You can also connect your TV to your laptop.

How to Set Up a TV in Your Garage: Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up a TV in your garage can seem daunting and complex. To help make things simpler, here’s a step-by-step guide on installing a TV in your garage:

What You’ll Need?

Before we go on to the guide, make sure you have the mandatory tools and equipment:

• TV mounting assembly
• Drill
• Screws
• Level

Choose the Location: Where Do You Want to Mount Your TV?

When choosing a location to mount your TV, you need to remember a few essential things:

• Measure out the available space and choose a TV that perfectly fits the available space.
• Choose the best location, keeping your preferred decor in mind.
• Read the user’s manual to find your TV’s best viewing distance and viewing angle.
• To avoid glare, install your TV somewhere that doesn’t get direct sunlight.
• Once you’ve found the perfect spot for your TV, adjust the furniture/equipment to remove anything blocking your view.

Step 2. Mounting a TV in Your Garage

Once you’ve figured out the perfect location for your TV set, follow the steps below:

STEP 1. Find the wall studs by following the steps below:

• Locate an electrical outlet where you want to mount your TV.
• Measure about 16” from the outlet.
• Lightly tap the region with a hammer and listen closely.
• If the tap makes a muffled sound, you’ve located your stud.

STEP 2. Make sure to spread the weight of the TV on at least two wall studs.

STEP 3. Decide the height of your TV. You can either consult the user’s manual or you can follow the general rule of thumb based on the following table:

TV Size	Recommended Distance From the Floor to the Center of the TV
42”	56”
55”	61”
65”	65”
70”	67”

STEP 4. Drill the pilot holes (as a general rule, the diameter of a pilot hole should be equal to that of the neck of the screw) into the wall studs. Make sure to use a level to avoid unwanted tilting.

STEP 5. Get a drill and place the wall bracket on the wall studs. You’ll hang the TV on this wall bracket.

STEP 6. Fasten in the screws to securely attach the wall bracket.

STEP 7. Attach the mounting plate to the TV using the screws.

STEP 8. Run the safety pin (provided in the TV mounting assembly) into the provided holes. This ensures that the TV won’t tilt or fall off.

STEP 9. Mount the TV to the wall bracket such that the mounting plate is hooked perfectly on the wall mount rail.

STEP 10. Enjoy!

The Takeaway

If you’re interested in having a TV in your garage, you need to ensure that the temperature inside your garage is within the optimum range. You can use air conditioning in the summer and heaters in the winter. Having a well-insulated garage door also helps.

Installing a TV in the garage can be fun and useful. Not only can you watch car fixing tutorials while fixing your car, but you can also plan game nights, movie nights, and parties without making a mess of your home.