I have a patio that I plan to convert into a HT/Game Room/Bar. At this time it has a insulated aluminum roof. I will be removing that and having a contractor build a roof, add concrete to match existing house ele, close off a couple windows & frame exterior walls.
Should I remove exterior brick or just stip and rock then?
The patio is 15' wide x 25' long so that should be plenty and allow enough room for adding a bar.
I plan to use a PJ and a 110" screen.

Another problem I will run into is HVAC. My current HVAC cannot handle anymore living area. Should I plan to add a small HVAC just for that room or use a PTAC(hotel type) unit?

If starting from scratch, do I need to worry about having floating walls?

Thank for any input.

Don't use the hotel type... Very loud.

Search for mini-split. Can be used for 1 room, can cool and heat (with the right model), and they are quiet. They come in different BTU amounts, so you can fit it to what you need. Also can add other units on some to work in other rooms if needed.

Search for Cathan's thread in the dedicated room forum. He put one in.
QueenDVD in the non-dedicated room forum (sorry don't remember exact name) also put one in.

I was thinking about it, but decided to wait and add it in the end if needed. It mounts on the wall, and the refrigerant lines are poked through the wall.

Also floating walls entirely depends on code for your area. In colorado, it is required due to expanding soils (bentonite). In other parts of the country, they don't have the problem, so not an issue. Check with your local permit office to verify, or search online for your counties codes.

If starting from scratch, do I need to worry about having floating walls?



Do you mean to accomodate the shifting soil as Chia asked or are you meaning soundproofed walls?

Many have put a mini-split in a dedicated room, including myself. What's your question?

CD

Do you mean to accomodate the shifting soil as Chia asked or are you meaning soundproofed walls?

For soundproofing. I'm in Louisiana, at worst we'll be sinking not shifting.:)

Edit, the mini-split will work great. I'm oly ACing 475 sq.ft. Thanks for that info.

If you want sound isolation, yes, float the walls, but not like in my build where there is an air gap at the bottom. Look into RSIC clips. the walls are still attached, but decoupled from the rest of the house.

Or you could look into building a room within a room, where the walls stand free, and you place new joists on the top of the walls. Nothing touches the existing frame of the house, therefore no vibrations can go through the walls into the house. Still have the floor to contend with though.

http://www.soundproofingcompany.com/library/articles/room_within_a_room/

Just to clarify, we don't really get crazy with sound for movies. Some of the family members don't care for it much. But I want to do some soundproofing. At very least the bare minimum.

Just to get a few ideas from some of you that know more than me, here are 3 scenarios for the layout of the area. I'm thinking of a screen of 102"-110". Will that be too big for such close quarters?

You can see the dashed line is the existing walls with brick and vinyl. That is going to be removed.

I would likt it setup so people at the bar can also watch what is on (ie games and NASCAR).

Do you think I'm trying to squeeze too much in the space? I will have a few windows in the new walls and I have to have the door as it leads to the backyard.

Any other ideas?

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/cmiller250f/Junk/mypropModel1.jpg

I discourage you from installing a fridge in the room only because of the noise factor. They hum, whirl and click loud enough to be distracting. Otherwise consider a bar structure where the bar seats (and the bar) are right behind the second row with the seat facing the screen.

There are a number of good example of this style of build floating around. Here is Jeff's version of that design.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b393/bigmouthindc/Theater%20Dec%202008/2008_11250014.jpg

I discourage you from installing a fridge in the room only because of the noise factor. They hum, whirl and click loud enough to be distracting. Otherwise consider a bar structure where the bar seats (and the bar) are right behind the second row with the seat facing the screen.

There are a number of good example of this style of build floating around. Here is Jeff's version of that design.
I know what you are saying, but this really needs to be a multi-functional space. A fridge is a defintie must to hold beverages. I guess it's not a totally dedicated theatre.

In that case swap the chair and bar orientation in either of your two plans. You want people to face the screen when they are sitting and not have to turn their back to the bar counter. That, I would think, would lead to a lot of knocked over drinks as people twist around.