Outdoor TVs and Audio: What to Know Before You Install

Outdoor entertainment spaces have become one of the most-requested upgrades in custom homes. They can be fantastic — but outdoor environments are unforgiving, and the difference between a system that lasts and one that doesn't usually comes down to a few decisions made early.

Indoor TVs don't belong outside

Even under a covered patio, indoor displays face conditions they were never designed for: temperature swings, humidity, UV exposure, dust, and pollen. Most manufacturer warranties explicitly exclude outdoor use.

What to look for in an outdoor display

• A display rated for the level of exposure (full sun, partial sun, or fully shaded)
• A weather rating appropriate for the location
• An operating temperature range that covers your local climate
• A brightness level high enough for daytime viewing

Mounting and wiring

• Use an outdoor-rated mount, not an indoor mount with a cover
• Power should be on a weatherproof, GFCI-protected circuit
• Run signal cabling in conduit so it can be serviced or upgraded later
• Consider an off-season cover for the harshest months

Outdoor audio

Good outdoor audio comes from spreading sound across the space rather than blasting it from one location. A handful of well-placed landscape or in-eave speakers, tuned together, will sound far better — and bother neighbors far less — than a single loud pair.