flatscreen tv on back patio?

[00bolt]

just finished doing a TON of work in the backyard this spring/summer. my son (12 years old) and I did it all by ourselves. put in a flagstone patio, cedar pergola, stone outdoor kitchen with grill, sink, etc and a hot tub... of course some landscape, etc.

anyway, everythings done now and we love it, but im thinking I want a tv out there now that its football season. The thought of cooking out, hot tub, etc with football on sounds awesome.

so heres my question... i dont want to spend thousands on one of those outdoor tvs that are completely weatherproof... just not worth it... i was thinking of just running and getting a regular 37" LCD or LED from target, etc and putting it out there.

heres the thing... i dont really have a huge covered area. my covered area is a pergola so its not a real roof to keep water out. There is a 1-2 foot awning or whatever from my roof that will cover a little, but not nearly enough to protect from the rain, etc.

so im wondering, has anyone ever built a plexiglass case or something? i know it would need to have some vent holes in the back i guess for heat to escape... or would i be better off just putting it on a quick and easy disconnect hanger and just bring it in and out when I want it out there?

[00bolt]

other than just the obvious water/rain, how much would heat, humidity, etc come in to play? im starting to think there is no good option for a permanent mount and might wanna consider making it portable and just hang it up and remove when im not using it.

[80coupe]

I have one but I also have a pretty big patio cover. Tv isnt a outdoor tv

[Shorty]

I know of a couple local bars that have the mounts outside and just bring the TV's out when they are open and weather is nice.

[projectPONY]

I have a friend with one out on his patio and I'm almost positive he has mentioned that it's NOT an outdoor unit. he does have pretty good coverage on his patio but he does cover it up. His is an LCD but also said that he wished he had gotten a LED tv due to the brighter pic for daylight viewing.

one day this is something I'd like to do also and my idea is to take some material, same one that is used to cover up grills, and make like a sleeve for it. that way, when not in use, it can just be slipped on like a pillow case and maybe zipped at the bottom.

[grove rat]

i would put it out when needed, they dont weigh that much. plus it would suck if some crackhead saw it and took it

[00bolt]

i looked on google, and it appears they do make that "grill cover" for tvs... i just googled tv covers and they are out there. maybe thats an idea! otherwise, i was thinking of making a wood cabinet similar to a dart board cabinet with swinging doors maybe... i could even house the remote, etc in there and make sure it can be sealed up.

[projectPONY]

i looked on google, and it appears they do make that "grill cover" for tvs... i just googled tv covers and they are out there. maybe thats an idea! otherwise, i was thinking of making a wood cabinet similar to a dart board cabinet with swinging doors maybe... i could even house the remote, etc in there and make sure it can be sealed up.

I like the dart cabinet idea also. I think the biggest issue is safety. In my case I don't think I will do this until I put up a nice, tall privacy fence.


Oh and thanks for the heads up on the tv covers.....I have an LCD I want to put up in the garage but have to keep it safe from grinding and body filler dust.

sent from an htc EVO, the iCrap killer.

[POSYJ]

Have a LCD on our patio too...well covered so its not an issue, but have considered the weatherproof "bags" that are available online. The "dartboard" box is another good idea if security is an issue or you prefer the look. A few local bars have similar set ups with padlocks for after hours...nothing is 100%, but helps keep people honest at least..

[lowthreeohz]

I've seen plexiglass / clear plastic style covers for outdoor TV's.