So, im closing on a new home tomorrow (not built new, just new to me) and the basement is completely unfinished....home theather me thinks. The dimensions would/could be 12x14..this size looks really small down there but maybe thats just cause there are no walls, I dunno.

Anyways, problem is, there is a steel girder with a support beam where a wall would be that comes down to 6' 5". Now ya, I could just make a wall there and hide it but its the same wall that the door would be on and there isnt really any other place to put a doorway. I dont have any pictures just yet but I was wondering what you guys could recommend or if pictures would do wonders for you all in getting my point across.

Any help would really be appreciated.

Anyways, problem is, there is a steel girder with a support beam where a wall would be that comes down to 6' 5". Now ya, I could just make a wall there and hide it but its the same wall that the door would be on and there isnt really any other place to put a doorway. I dont have any pictures just yet but I was wondering what you guys could recommend or if pictures would do wonders for you all in getting my point across.

Any help would really be appreciated.

First plan on a slightly larger space. Get as much width as you can and shoot for around 21' feet in length for a 2 row theater.

Second, you can get a custom door under the beam. Mine is around 6'4".

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/mdrueen/IMG_0136-1.jpg

Just need a single row theather...its not gonna be anything real big...I thought I saw guys in here going with rooms around that size...

I am designing around that size out of necessity. It adds a lot of complexity, so if you can go bigger I would. That said, it can be done. Look at this thread for working examples.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=996973

Here are the issues I have been thinking about:

1. Adequate seating [4 seats max for me]
2. Placement of seating away from the rear wall to maximize the audio performance (a rule of thumb says you want your seats 38% into the room - or 3.8 feet in a 10 ft room) - [this won't happen for me.]
3. PJ throw distance - limits use of bigger screens, can limit use of anamorphic lenses for 2.35 CIH set ups. [this is an issue for the 16/9 screen I am likely to use]
4. HVAC - in a small sealed room (for sound isolation), with equipment, you need to be able to cool that sucker down.
5. Having your surround channels too close to the seating.
6. Speaker placement issues, particularly if you go with an AT screen. [a nice to have thing]

None of these are dealbreakers, but single row 16x20 room would be so much easier than a 12x14 (after framing) design.

I am designing around that size out of necessity. It adds a lot of complexity, so if you can go bigger I would. That said, it can be done. Look at this thread for working examples.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=996973

Here are the issues I have been thinking about:

1. Adequate seating [4 seats max for me]
2. Placement of seating away from the rear wall to maximize the audio performance (a rule of thumb says you want your seats 38% into the room - or 3.8 feet in a 10 ft room) - [this won't happen for me.]
3. PJ throw distance - limits use of bigger screens, can limit use of anamorphic lenses for 2.35 CIH set ups. [this is an issue for the 16/9 screen I am likely to use]
4. HVAC - in a small sealed room (for sound isolation), with equipment, you need to be able to cool that sucker down.
5. Having your surround channels too close to the seating.
6. Speaker placement issues, particularly if you go with an AT screen. [a nice to have thing]

None of these are dealbreakers, but single row 16x20 room would be so much easier than a 12x14 (after framing) design.

Unfortunately, I can't really make any more room then that. there is another 14 feet on the other side of that steel girder I have but it would be kind of wierd having a ceiling dip down in the middle of the room for the steel beam and ventilation not to mention the way sound would play off that. BTW, there is a main ventilation trunk running right next to the beam that feeds the upstairs kitchen and living room.

I need to get those pictures I took on here....they are from my camera phone but it would give a pretty good idea of what im talking about.

Some people work beams in by doing coffered ceilings. Here is an elaborate example.

http://www.piacasa.com/theater/162_6287.JPG

I hear you about working with what you got.

Also keep in mind this isnt gonna be a hardcore theather....im looking to start with just a 46inch television and then when the money comes in for one, im gonna throw in something like a 58-62 inch lcd/plasma...or would a projector yield equal or better results for around the same amount of money?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=132468&stc=1&d=1233840970

The first picture is taken from the far side of the beam (obviously) and shows the stairs coming down. Just on this side of the beam there is the ventilation so I couldnt throw a door on "this" side of the beam. I did think of putting a door under the stairway but then you would have to walk all the way around the basement to get into the room...not sure how that would look/appeal. What cant be seen is that just to the left of the bottom of the stairs is the A/C and Heater and then there is framing for a doorway that goes to the far side of the basement and the laundry room is just on the other side of that stairway.

Side note, there is a winow with insulation taped over it in that space, you can just see the edges of the tape on the right side of the shot. I was thinking of just building a form and filling the window in the with the appropriate type of concrete. Any comments on that idea? The fuse panel is also on that wall on the right side of the window.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=132469&stc=1&d=1233840970

This shot was taken from the corner of the room next to the staircase looking into the other corner the first picture was taken from. You can see a little bit of the ventilation and some of the framing that was done. It wasnt done very well, its hard to tell (an observant eye can spot it though) in the shot but one of those studs is warped about 6 inches from top to bottom.

I took the pictures in a hurry so if they dont show much I can understand but thats kind of what im dealing with. Now, because the ceiling is 6'5" at the beam and I think it was 7' even at the top of the studs...should I consider drywall or go with hung ceiling? I was thinking I could just from the studs to about 1/2" or so below the ventilation duct and beam and then go with straight drywall across...what do you guys think.

Getting A/C into room wont be much of an issue considering that main trunk is just on the other side of the beam...wouldnt take more then a simple pipe run into the valley between the studs and ive got friends in HVAC to help with that.

Also keep in mind this isnt gonna be a hardcore theather....im looking to start with just a 46inch television and then when the money comes in for one, im gonna throw in something like a 58-62 inch lcd/plasma...or would a projector yield equal or better results for around the same amount of money?

Most people will tell you that a 46 inch or even a 58-62 inch television does not make a room a home theater. For a theater you really have to go big. Projectors have come a long way in a short time as have screens. Budget versions can be had for $1000 and give you pictures over 100". If you have a dedicated space that can be light controlled go for a PJ and a screen, you won't regret it.

Any chance we can get a floor plan of the space and tell us what else you want to have in the basement (bathroom, bar, workout room etc)?

Also, with a screen name like USMC I would like to thank you for your service!

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=132486&stc=1&d=1233859628

Red square is where the support beam is and then the red outline is the main ventilation trunk. Ceiling height at these locations is at 6' 4". The stairs come down along the wall that is 10'8"

Each square represents about 1 ft btw...

This is only the dimensions for the side of the basement im finishing, I didnt take any measurements the other day of the other side of the basement. These are also the dimensions of the framing that was already done...although not completely with studs on the whole left section.