Nowadays, a TV or an A/V system is an integral part of the comfort of our home. Knowing how to install HDMI cabling in the wall is integral to a professional installation of a system where the cables are unseen.
There are two standard solutions for installing your HDMI cabling in the wall. The commonly used solutions are to hide the cables on the wall or inside the wall.
Also read: How Many HDMI Cables do you Need for Home Theater?
Hiding HDMI cabling of your home may look like a minor problem, especially if you have a leaking roof or plumbing problems. However, cables hanging everywhere are not only annoying but also dangerous for your small children, running all over the house.
Finally, yet significantly, the A/V technologies improve fast, and you may often need to change cables at your home. Whit a bit of knowledge and willingness, you can do all that by yourself.
Installing HDMI Cabling In The Wall
Specialists identify two main resolves to hide the HDMI or other cabling at home. The most straightforward approach is to attach your cabling to the appropriate places to the wall and conceal it with a raceway.
A raceway is usually a shallow metal or plastic channel that mounts directly on the wall. The cables are inserted into the raceway channel, and then a cover snaps to conceal them. Elbow and tee fittings may also permit you to mount the wires in the preferred directions.
The second solution is, actually, the subject of our interest. It is to install the HDMI cabling in the wall or behind the wall. It is the better and the neater option for hiding wires and is the preferred choice by most households.
It is also more complex and requires both more knowledge and preparation. However, in today’s global era, you can obtain knowledge quickly from various sources.
All necessary materials and tools are available on the market if you do not have your own, so it is only up to you to get it done.
Preparation
The extent of preparations will highly depend on your initial intention, on your plan for the job.
If you have cables all over the house to hide on, or you need to replace your HDMI cabling in several rooms, you may need a consultation with a technician first. For such a project, you will also need the plans of your house, especially those for the wiring of the walls.
You do not want to cut off any power or A/C cable that goes through your walls when you start drilling. It would help if you also found out where the studs are in your walls.
If you only need to hide the HDMI cable of your TV in the Living room, for example, you may prepare for work faster. However, it does not mean you should ignore some preparations, such as locating the studs and power cables in the wall you will install your cabling.
Buying the necessary materials and having proper tools available is another cornerstone of your successive work. Always have some extra materials available in case something unforeseen comes out.
Table 1 below provides a sample list of materials and tools you may need to mount your HDMI cables in the wall.
| Materials | Tools |
| Two (2) Wall Plates | Wire cutter/stripper |
| Two (2) Gang Wall Boxes | Stud finder (optional but very useful) |
| HDMI Cables (in case we replace cable) | Fish tape of fish sticks |
| Nail plates (if we will drill wooden parts) | Laser level or chalk line |
| Wire ties and attachments | 1/2” or larger electrical drill |
| Wire labels (optional) | Drywall Hand Saw |
| Wall Cable Management Kit (optional) | A set of spade bits from ¼“ to 1-1/2“ |
| Sharpie Marker | |
| Electrical tape | |
| Screwdrivers | |
| Step ladder (optional) | |
| Eye protection, work gloves, and dust masks |
Installation
After having everything prepared, you can proceed to the actual installation. The first thing you have to do is mark out the shape of your gang wall boxes on the exact places on the wall.
The best locations for that, usually, are one down by the baseboard and second up by the TV’s wall mount bracket. Then use your Drywall Hand Saw to cut rectangular holes, following the shape you have just marked.
The holes must be in line with each other, as much as possible, to facilitate cables’ running through them.
The next step is to fit your gang wall boxes into the holes – some adjustments might be necessary. It is time to run the cables, which is usually the most complicated task.
You need to hang your fish tape through the top hole to the bottom. It will be much easier if you have an assistant to tape the cables to the fish wire in a compact manner and push them up while you are pulling up.
Ensure the cable pack you pull up is as compact and smooth as possible to avoid other obstacles in the wall.
Once you have your HDMI cabling ran through the wall into the gang boxes, tighten their screws with the screwdriver. Then get the wall plates and pass the cables through their openings.
You can also use any customized faceplates or Wall Cable Management Kit and plug your cables into it. Finally, tighten the screws of the wall plates to fix them to the gang boxes. (3).
FAQ
How Do I Fish A HDMI Cable Behind The Wall?
The easiest way to fish an HDMI cable is to unhook one of your cables in the wall and tape a string to its end. Pulling it out, you will pull the string in. You can tape the HDMI wire and the existing one to the string and pull them both back in through the two horizontal studs. Then you adjust them to your main cable pack.
How Do I Know If An HDMI Cable Is Wall Rated?
When you buy an HDMI cable, look for codes that verify their standard. By law, all rated lines have alphanumeric codes stamped on their outer insolation.
The rate code for in-wall video and data cabling is CL2 or CL3. Different rate codes indicate the other specifications of the cabling.
How Do I Hide An HDMI Cable In A Brick Wall?
You need to remove and replace one brick to put the cabling behind it. Next is to remove enough mortar to be able to adjust your HDMI cables. Then you will need to conceal the wires with a facing of mortar, for example.
Another option is to use faux brick wallpaper or other decorative covers to have a more aesthetic outlook.
Final Thoughts
It is our responsibility to make your homes comfortable and cozy for our children and us. Hiding the cabling behind the walls is one of the most basic things we can improve.
Of course, hardships can always appear, even in the most straightforward situation. However, with a bit more patience, perseverance, and help, anyone can handle it. Lastly, for anyone who lacks these qualities, professional assistance is always available.
Sources
- Joseph Truini, “Here’s How to Hide Your Ugly TV Cables and Wires.” Popular Mechanics, www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/how-to/a18787/how-to-hide-tv-wires/
- Jim Richardson, “In-Wall Wiring Guide for Home A/V.” Crutchfield, www.crutchfield.com/S-NcFWxdPTmVB/learn/learningcenter/home/inwall_wiring.html
- Oakback, and Instructables. “Hiding Power Cable and HDMI Cable for Wall-Mounted TV.” Instructables, www.instructables.com/Hiding-power-cable-and-HDMI-cable-for-wall-mounted/
Jason is a home theater expert with over 10 years of experience in setting up home cinema rooms and systems. What started out as a hobby soon transformed him into an authority in the audio-visual field. He is passionate about providing readers with accurate and up-to-date information on the latest audiovisual technologies and their applications for home theaters. Read more about Jason.