Current Status: Drywall

The time has come for me to stop procrastinating and drooling over the theaters in this thread. I have been lurking in this forum since late 2003. There have been plenty of excuses for me to NOT finish the basement: job, wife, kid 2, kid 3, job, no job, new job, etc...

Its alright to Logan me now, as I am slow (read Slacker) as hell. I framed the basement almost 2 years ago, and have not touched it since. I even found a dead phone in my tool bag! (mental note apologize to one of the kids)

I will be doing a complete basement finish, but most importantly, I will be finishing my home theater. I am a creatively challenged person and I welcome any input or criticism in this thread. To be honest, I have seen many HTs in this thread and I will be stealing ideas from all of them.


Preliminary Specs:
Length 21'3"
Width 16'3"
Ceiling 7'9"
Rear of the HT will be open to a kitchenette and poker table

Tentative Setup:
130 AT Scope Screen
False Wall with Stage (to keep the oldest from playing Wii @ 1 foot from the screen)
1st Row 4 Seats
2nd Row 3 Seats
7.1 Setup
6 Can Lights
4 Sconces
2 Zone Grafik Eye

Equipment List:
Denon 2809Ci (Current)
HT PC (Current)
Panasonic PT-AE4000 (Future)
Triad Bronze/4 LCR InWalls x 3 (Current)
Triad Bronze/4 Surround InWalls x 2 (Current) (in small columns)
Triad Silver/8 InCeiling (Current) (In ceiling due to lack of rear wall space)
Blue Ray Player (Future)

Here is the layout from 2005.
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/HTPlans_001.jpg
Some things have changed since then and will probably change again:
I am no longer doing the bump outs left and right of the stage.
I am undecided where to put the equipment rack, I am thinking left side up front so I can access the back from the storage area.
Between the kitchenette and HT, there is a half wall with a counter top.

Walls:
All walls will be double dry walled with GG.
Ceiling will be Whisper Clipped, Drywall Furring Channel, and Double Dry walled.

Some pictures:

Screen Wall
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/ScreenWall.jpg

Right Front
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/RightFront.jpg
Right Rear
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/RightRear.jpg

Left Front
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/LeftFront.jpg

Left Rear
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/LeftRear.jpg

Rear
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/Rear.jpg


Ceiling (lights are coming down to be placed in boxes)
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/Ceiling.jpg

During the last 4 years, I have done some work on the basement. I have roughed in most electrical and lighting.

I wanted to ensure that sound was at least muffled coming from the HT, so I have decided to go with Whisper Clips, and 7/8" drywall Furring Channel.

Question #1
I have a decision to make around double drywall with Green Glue or Quiet Rock.

Anyone have any experience or preference? I am only doing the theater in this manner so it is not too costly to do the Quiet Rock.

I need to figure this out, as I have to mount the Recessed lighting at the proper depth.

Question #2
Since my rear speakers will be ceiling mounted, should I fix those to the flooring joists or should I attach them to the Drywall Furring Channel?

I received my shipment of Green Glue and Acoustical Sealer today and I was able to seal the light boxes.

http://www.isaacks.us/HT/LightBoxes.jpg

Once dry I will GG the Hardiboard in place and reseal them.

UPS is supposed to drop off my Whisper Clips on Friday. I need to find some 7/8" Drywall Furring Channel that is smaller than 2 3/4" wide.

disaacks,

I used clips, channel, DD & GG and it seems to be working as I expected. After curing, I tested with a single floorstanding speaker and a table saw, but no sound to the kids rooms above. When I put my ear to the floor in the kids rooms, I thought I could hear the table saw, but it was not loud at all.

I think W00lly used DD, GG and Quiet Rock: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=869753

Will the walls around the Kitchenette be DD & GG like the HT? If not, the sound from the HT will travel past the half wall.

Not sure I understand how you would attach the speakers to the channel?

Good luck.

I have a decision to make around double drywall with Green Glue or Quiet Rock.

Anyone have any experience or preference? I am only doing the theater in this manner so it is not too costly to do the Quiet Rock.



You can do a search here on the forum. In a nutshell, many of the Quiet Rock products are excellent. But compare the performance (and price) to standard drywall and Green Glue.

Is the theater room now more open to the rest of the basement/house than it was in the plan? It looks like the openings are now pass throughs rather than doorways. Optical illusion?

Is that storage area between the workshop and bathroom really an IB sub?;)

Are you doing all of the work yourself for the entire basement?

Godspeed

Is the theater room now more open to the rest of the basement/house than it was in the plan? It looks like the openings are now pass throughs rather than doorways. Optical illusion?



No, it is an optical illusion (I dont have the doorways framed yet).


Is that storage area between the workshop and bathroom really an IB sub?;)

Had to google an IB sub... not that I am afraid. That storage room has a bunch of HVAC pipes and plumbing pipes. It also has a lower ceiling. Its easier not to finish it and call it storage. Passes inspection that way as well. :-)


Are you doing all of the work yourself for the entire basement?


I will be contracting out the plumbing, drywall, and carpet. Everything else I will be doing on my own.

Completed:
Intake duct removed from theater and re-routed.
RSIC (Whisper) Clips Installed.
Drywall furring channel found and cut to proper lengths.
8" HVAC piping altered to 8" flex.
Can light boxes hung.
Rack opening framed.
Plumbing wrapped.

This weeks tasks:
Can Lights

Wire cans to switch
Add lights to boxes
Fix can light boxes to ceiling


HVAC

Move air duct from ceiling to above rack
Replace 8" inch metal with 8" flex


Lights

Place sconce boxes
Wire Sconces
Wire Cans
Put in a temp switch for the cans (so I can see)


The wife put the smack down on me working at night. Said I was making too much noise. I spent the previous night putting up Whisper Clips and it was not too loud. The next night she was upset that I was pushing my step across the floor, as I was too lazy to pick it up and move it.

Here is the step:
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/step.jpg

Removed Duct Work. If you look hard enough, you WILL see blood!
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/deadduct.jpg

Furry Remains:
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/FurryRemains.jpg

Drywall Furring Channel Installed:
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/FurringStrips.jpg

Hung Light Can Boxes:
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/HungCanBoxes.jpg

New Air Return:
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/NewReturn.jpg

Rack Opening (I still have to proper frame the top, I am waiting on the new air duct install. I have to let me fingers heal):
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/RackOpening.jpg

My Messy Workbench:
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/MessyTable.jpg

Air Duct that I have to replace with Flex:
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/AirDuct.jpg

My trusty server died on me. I think to much sawdust, going to relocate it upstairs for the duration of the build.

Here is the work that has been completed since the last update.

Completed
Can Lights
Wire cans to switch
Add lights to boxes
Fix can light boxes to ceiling

HVAC
Move air duct from ceiling to above rack
Replace 8" inch metal with 8" flex

Lights
Place sconce boxes
Wire Sconces
Wire Cans
Put in a temp switch for the cans (so I can see)

Speaker Conduit
Ran Smurf Tubes for 7.1(2) Sound

This Weeks Tasks

Electrical

Finish pre-wiring the basement


Reinforce Ceiling (Channel) for projector.
Put in 2" Smurf tube for projector.

Picture Gallery

New flex air duct in place. Also re-worked the cans. They hang from the furring channel rather than the ceiling joists.
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/NewWiredCans.jpg

Left sconces ran. Smurf tube for speaker wire.
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/LeftSconce.jpg

Right sconces ran. Smurf tube for speaker wire.
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/RightSconce.jpg

Center Smurf tubes and IR reciever.
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/CenterSmurf.jpg

Furring Channel up on the Whisper Clips.
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/DFSUp.jpg

End of the Smurf Tubes
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/smurfoutlet.jpg

Quick Update, no pics for now.

Completed Tasks:
Electrical (YEA)
Put in 2" Smurf tube for projector
Moved front speaker outlets closer and higher

To Do:
Reinforce Ceiling (Channel) for projector (I am unable to find 5/8 MDF)
Tear bathroom out to accommodate a soaking tub :-(
Low voltage wiring (network and cable tv)

Questions:
Will IR pass through an SMX AT screen in a light controlled room?

Holy Crap, Am I still doing this? Time flies when there is not any progress.

Well, winter has reared its ugly head again, so back to work in the basement.

Lots of stuff has happened:

Completed Tasks:
Electrical Pre-Wire is finished
Doors have been sized up
Projector Mount has been built
Insulation has started to go up
Bathroom has been gutted and jackhammered
Low Voltage wiring has been run
Non-Basement
Bead board around Master Bath
Raised paneling up the stairs (pain in the ass, all hand built)

ToDo:
Plumber due on site this week or early next week
Finish insulation when plumber is finished
Start bidding out drywall
Order Green Glue
Figure out what I want for trim
Start working on sound treatments and basstraps

Pics:
Raised Panel Upstairs
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/RaisedPanel.jpg

Wife's Soaking Tub Drop In
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/TubDropIN.jpg

Low Voltage Cable HomeRun
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/StructWire.jpg

Playroom Waiting for Drywall
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/Playroom.jpg

Framing for In-Wall Media Storage
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/InWallMedia.jpg

Insulation Going IN
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/Insulate.jpg

Theater Ceiling
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/TheaterCeiling.jpg

DryCore for Kitchen (only 340 more panels for the remainder)
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/Dricore.jpg

Big Snow Storm Update.

Well I am about ready to get the walls all closed up. I spent the last week haggling with drywall contractors and I have selected a locally owned company that gave me a fair price. They are putting up roughly 190 boards of drywall, screws, tape, mud, and texture next week.

I also spoke with Bpape and we have come up with an acoustical treatment plan. In order to fit some sort of sound absorption on the back wall, I had to close the openings a bit.

I have 3 buckets of Green Glue and 8 tubes of caulk ready for drywall day.

I have a single roll of R-19 to get in place this weekend, as well as a stud to terminate a sheet of drywall. I never thought I would see the end of insulation, my real wife and my Lowes wife seemed to get a kick out my daily trip for 1 more roll of insulation. Well more of my real wife's irritation and the butt of jokes for the Lowes wife.

I will have this weekend for the last hurrah before they arrive on Monday.

Completed:
Plumber finished
Insulation finished
Drywall bid accepted
Received Green Glue
Tenative acoustical treatments by Bpape
Added exhaust fan for popcorn maker (THANKS to BigMouthinDC's post in every popcorn maker thread!)
Tile chosen for the bathroom

ToDo:
Fix hairline crack in foundation wall
Add 2x4 stud to back storage area
Add additional insulation to cracks
Order 350 Sheets of Dricore
Shoot Green Glue on Drywall and Seal as needed
Add Cement board around tub

Pics

Popcorn Exhaust Fan
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/CornExhaust.jpg

Wife's Soaking Tub
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/WifesTub.jpg

Tub BackSplash
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/Backsplash.jpg

Smurf Tube Terminations
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/TubeOutlets.jpg

Projector Mount
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/PJMount.jpg

Smaller Rear
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/SmallerRear.jpg

Rack Frame
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/RackFrame.jpg

Green Glue and Supplies
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/GreenGlue.jpg

Last Roll of Insulation
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/LoneInsulation.jpg

Looking good. How are you handling ventilation isolation? Will there be a back on the equipment rack hole?

I find it funny when the wife yells at me for sliding something on the floor that makes noise. I just remind her how much noise she makes emptying the dish washer or coming down the stairs in the morning high heels clanking around wood floors and steps. she only weighs 130 pounds and she sound like a herd of animals.

chester

Looking good. How are you handling ventilation isolation? Will there be a back on the equipment rack hole?

Yes, I plan on building a a enclosed Rack out of 3/4 MFD covered with laminate. I am leaning towards fans at the top blowing out into the unfinished storage area. I am not too concerned about too much sound leaking into that area, as it is near the garage.

Did you have some sort of alternate suggestion? I would really like for the rack to be accessible within the theater room. This was the only spot that I had the room.

Well, 3/4" MDF will certainly be a weak link compared to the rest of your walls. I realize that access to the back is great, but sound will blow through.

QUOTE: "I am not too concerned about too much sound leaking into that area, as it is near the garage."

The trouble is that once the sound is outside the protected environment of the theater, it's everywhere. In your original framing and straight upstairs. Just like Thing 1 and Thing 2.


It looks like you're planning to have air ducts directly leave the room to the ceiling cavity?

Well, 3/4" MDF will certainly be a weak link compared to the rest of your walls. I realize that access to the back is great, but sound will blow through.

QUOTE: "I am not too concerned about too much sound leaking into that area, as it is near the garage."

The trouble is that once the sound is outside the protected environment of the theater, it's everywhere. In your original framing and straight upstairs. Just like Thing 1 and Thing 2.


It looks like you're planning to have air ducts directly leave the room to the ceiling cavity?

There is a single air duct in that room, its not a return. It makes 3 90 degree turns, and crosses the whole theater in flexible tube before it reaches a main junction.

What would you suggest I enclose the rack hole with? Would a layer of GG and Drywall on the back of the enclosure assist with sound containment?

Most rooms have one or two supplies and one return. A sealed room needs a way in and out.

If I understand your ventilation scenario correctly, you have a vent in the ceiling that goes directly into the joist cavities? Lower frequency sound waves will not follow the flex duct. Instead they will travel straight upstairs. Think of a rifle shot. If I aim at that vent, the bullet doesn't care that there is a bend in the R-5 insulated, nearly zero mass flex duct. Only the very highest (low energy) frequency waves will follow that route. Did someone tell you to do it that way?

The hole in the wall for the rack would be best if it were framed and insulated as your walls are.

Most rooms have one or two supplies and one return. A sealed room needs a way in and out.

If I understand your ventilation scenario correctly, you have a vent in the ceiling that goes directly into the joist cavities? Lower frequency sound waves will not follow the flex duct. Instead they will travel straight upstairs. Think of a rifle shot. If I aim at that vent, the bullet doesn't care that there is a bend in the R-5 insulated, nearly zero mass flex duct. Only the very highest (low energy) frequency waves will follow that route. Did someone tell you to do it that way?

The hole in the wall for the rack would be best if it were framed and insulated as your walls are.

I dont have a totally enclosed room, it will be open to the rear where there there is another supply and a return. The supply in the HT room is right above the rack, on the wall, not in the ceiling.

Full Rack Opening Shot:
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/RackWall.jpg

Rear Rack Shot:
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/RearRack.jpg

Rear Return:
http://www.isaacks.us/HT/RearReturn.jpg

I'm sure not looking to pick. When you say: "I dont have a totally enclosed room, it will be open to the rear where there there is another supply and a return," are you meaning there is no 4th wall? Is the theater open to the rest of the basement?

I'm sure not looking to pick. When you say: "I dont have a totally enclosed room, it will be open to the rear where there there is another supply and a return," are you meaning there is no 4th wall? Is the theater open to the rest of the basement?

If you look at the floor plan, the rear of the theater is open to the kitchentte area. There is an open doorway and a half window that seperates the two.

OK you realize that with no complete 4th (rear) wall sound will simply enter the kitchenette and travel up and sideways?

As well you have 3 doors, and one wall is shared with the stairwell wall.

Generally we recommend that if you can't build a sealed "aquarium" you're probably better off just using standard single drywall construction and call it a day. I'm sorry to rain on your build. Again, that was never my intention, but you have so many flanking paths out of the room that I would expect you will be disappointed.

I won't talk about this any longer as I'm not looking to irritate, unless you'd like more input.

OK you realize that with no complete 4th (rear) wall sound will simply enter the kitchenette and travel up and sideways?

As well you have 3 doors, and one wall is shared with the stairwell wall.

Generally we recommend that if you can't build a sealed "aquarium" you're probably better off just using standard single drywall construction and call it a day. I'm sorry to rain on your build. Again, that was never my intention, but you have so many flanking paths out of the room that I would expect you will be disappointed.

I won't talk about this any longer as I'm not looking to irritate, unless you'd like more input.

Ted, I consider yours and anyone's input valuable. That is why I am here.

I am not an expert at any of this, just an enthusiast with a basement. The layout was not ideal to begin with and the positioning of the load bearing beams dictated the layout.

I understand that I will have flanking paths, but I want to remove as much as I can.

190 sheets of drywall arrived today. 2 guys put most of it in the basement, then took a 30 minute break. After their break 2 more guys showed up to help. They went to take the last 16 sheets of 5/8 from the truck and the lift exploded, shooting hydraulic fluid all over the drywall and truck.

Needless to say they will be back tomorrow to deliver the rest.

Drywall gets hung tomorrow morning.


As for the sound flanking, I hope there is enough where I need it and I did what I could.

I will shoot for better in the next Dave Cave.

Completed:
Fix hairline crack in foundation wall
Add 2x4 stud to back storage area
Add additional insulation to cracks
Order 350 Sheets of Dricore
Wood flooring ordered for the kithen, playroom, and workout room. (got a deal on cork)

ToDo:
Shoot Green Glue on Drywall and Seal as needed
Pickup Drycore

If I understand your ventilation scenario correctly, you have a vent in the ceiling that goes directly into the joist cavities? Lower frequency sound waves will not follow the flex duct. Instead they will travel straight upstairs. Think of a rifle shot. If I aim at that vent, the bullet doesn't care that there is a bend in the R-5 insulated, nearly zero mass flex duct. Only the very highest (low energy) frequency waves will follow that route. Did someone tell you to do it that way?

Ted- How do you correct this?