How to Mount a TV Outdoor / Patio — Rick's Install Guide
Outdoor TVs are a different gear list. Regular indoor TVs die in 6 months exposed to humidity, pollen, and direct sun. You either need a purpose-built outdoor TV (SunBrite, Furrion) or a StormShell-grade enclosure that lets you keep using your indoor TV under cover.
What you need to know first
- StormShell enclosures ($600-1200) take a regular TV and add a weatherproof shell with vented airflow. Right call when you're mounting under a covered porch.
- For fully-exposed installs (no cover), buy a real outdoor TV. SunBrite Veranda runs $1,800; the picture is dimmer than a flagship indoor TV by design — to fight glare.
- Outdoor speakers want at least IP54 weather rating. Sonos Outdoor, Bose Outdoor, or Klipsch AW series. Don't use indoor bookshelf speakers outside — the cones rot.
- Run outdoor-rated direct-burial Cat6 (not regular Cat6) from the house to the TV. UV-stable jacket survives 20+ years of sun.
Quick answers
Can I use my regular TV outside under a covered patio?
Only if it's in a StormShell enclosure or similar. Even with cover, humidity + temperature swings kill regular TVs in 6-18 months.
Does an outdoor TV need a different soundbar?
Most outdoor TVs have weak built-in speakers. Add a pair of IP54+ rated outdoor speakers (Sonos Outdoor, Klipsch AW). A regular soundbar will not survive outdoors.
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Built by Rick Baron — 28 years of residential AV installs. Last verified 2026-05-28.