An outdoor TV is one of the best upgrades for a patio — and one of the easiest to get wrong. Rust, glare and water find every shortcut. Here's how to do it so it lasts.
Step 0: the right TV
| Option | Where it works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor TV, "partial sun" or "full shade" rating | Covered patio, lanai | Built for humidity and temperature swings |
| Outdoor TV, "full sun" | Open decks | Much brighter, more expensive |
| Indoor TV in a sealed enclosure | Covered areas | Cheaper, bulkier |
| Indoor TV, no protection | Nowhere, really | Fails in a season or two in humid climates |
The mount
- Finish: powder-coated or stainless. Plain black steel rusts within months near salt water.
- Hardware: stainless steel bolts and washers — replace the zinc-plated ones from the box.
- Type: tilt for a TV above the outdoor kitchen, full-motion to follow the pool and the seating area. Tilt vs full-motion.
The wall or post
- Stucco over block (Florida, Nevada): drill through the stucco into the block and use stainless sleeve anchors. Seal the holes with exterior silicone.
- Stucco over wood framing (California, Texas): find the studs — stucco hides them well.
- Wood posts and pergolas: only a solid post or beam; add a backer board across two members for large TVs.
- Brick: anchors into the brick face, never the mortar.
Power and signal
- Outdoor outlets must be GFCI with an in-use weatherproof cover.
- Run cables in outdoor-rated conduit or a sealed raceway; drip loops keep water from running into the connectors.
- A surge protector is worth it — patio TVs see more lightning-related surges.
- Streaming stick or Wi-Fi? Check the signal outside before you pick the spot.
Placement
Sun is the enemy of the picture more than of the TV. Watch the patio at the time you'll use it most, and put the screen where the sun is behind it, not behind you. Keep it out of the sprinkler's reach and the grill's smoke.
Hurricane or windstorm coming? A full-motion arm can fold flat and you can remove the TV in minutes if the brackets are easy to reach — plan for that at install time.
Rather have a pro do it?
Exact price in about a minute — TV size, wall type and cables included. Same-day in most areas, 3-year warranty on every install.
We install outdoor TVs on stucco, block, brick and wood: $119 up to 60 inches, $129 up to 85. New outdoor circuits are for a licensed electrician. Local guides: outdoor TVs in Miami, in Los Angeles.
Gear mentioned in this article
Mounting Dream Full Motion TV Wall Mount for 32-70 Inch TVs up to 110lbsArticulating arm: pulls out, swivels and tilts.Check price →
PERLESMITH Tilting TV Wall Mount for 23–60 inch TVs up to 115 lbsTilting bracket: angles the screen down when it hangs high.Check price →
Hillman Sleeve Anchors, 3/8in x 3in, 50 Pack, ZincSleeve anchors for brick, block and concrete.Check price →
TROND Power Strip Surge Protector, 4000J, ETL Listed, Flat Plug 5ftFlat-plug surge protector: fits behind a flush panel.Check price →
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