A media wall is a common phrase used in not only the fireplace but the whole of the interiors industry. You may be familiar with the terminology, but what exactly is a media wall? In this article we will explain exactly what a media wall is and the different types of media wall.

What is a Media Wall?

A media wall is essentially a feature wall which includes a TV and sound system, often incorporating a fire into the design and now more commonly, bespoke elements such as lighting, cabinetry, shelving and stone. They can be personalised to meet the individual requirements of your space.

Although media walls are commonly installed with an electric fire due to many homes now being well insulated and not requiring an extra source of heat, any type of fire can be installed in a media wall. Yes, that’s right. Gas, wood & bio-ethanol fires can all be incorporated into the design of a media wall.

The cost of a media wall varies based on a number of things, we have a dedicated article which talks about the cost of installing a media wall. You can read it here.

Electric Media Walls

As previously mentioned, electric fires are common in media walls. The benefit to installing an electric fire is that they can be enjoyed without any heat output, making them ideal for newer well-insulated properties and new build homes that don’t require an extra source of heat. The glowing flame can be enjoyed year round and many of our clients with electric fires find that they are never off. Their fire becomes something they routinely turn on when they enter the room, just like a lamp. 

Read our article to learn about the best electric fires for a luxury media wall.

Although common, electric fires are not the only kind of fire that can be fitted within a media wall so its important to weigh up every option available so you can choose the fuel type which is best suited to you and your home.

Gas Media Walls 

Gas fires are another popular choice when it comes to designing a media wall. A common question that we get asked is “can a gas fire be fitted underneath a TV?”. The answer is yes, as long as the TV is in a recess. The benefit of installing a gas fire instead of an electric fire is that gas fires are a great source of heat. Some people also prefer an authentic flame. Gas fires are great if you would like an authentic flame but also require convenience from your fire. Our gas fires can be controlled by remote control and app.

Wood-Burning Stove Media Walls

Another common misconception is that you can’t install a wood-burning stove with a media wall. This isn’t true and installing a log burner within a media wall is perfectly safe as long as the TV is in a recess (if being fitted above the wood stove), the correct materials are used around the fire and the distance to combustible materials is adhered to. This isn’t something that you have to be overly concerned about as your fireplace installer will take care of this side of things.

You may know that you want heat from your fire but how do you choose between wood or gas? Many would argue that there isn’t anything quite like the authenticity of a real wood fire. But, a gas fire is more convenient as they can be turned on with the touch of a button. You can read tips about how to choose between a wood-burning stove or gas fire here.

Bio-ethanol Media Walls

The least common fire for media walls is bio-ethanol. Bio-ethanol fires look like a gas fire but they don’t require a flue so they’re a good solution for homes without gas.

Design Options

A media wall can be designed to be as simple or as bespoke as you like. An example of a simple design would be a chimney breast with a TV and fire below. Something more bespoke may include a bespoke base in a material like Dekton, with a 3-sided fire, the TV to one side and bespoke shelving, cabinetry and lighting to the other side.  

Next Steps

We hope this article has helped you understand what a media wall really is and provide you with some insight into the different ways a media wall can be installed.

We are suppliers and installers of leading fireplace brands, working exclusively in our area with some of the best brands in the world. We offer a complete end-to-end service. We can help you with the design of your media wall/fireplace and offer complete installation, taking care of all building, plastering, joinery & electrical work. We also have our own in-house surface fabrication.

We serve the entire North East & wider Northumberland region. If you’re interested in working with us then we would love to hear from you. If you already know what kind of media wall you would like you can get an estimate here: https://www.tulipalo.co.uk/fireplace-quotes/. Or, for tailored advice and design ideas please get in touch to discuss your project.