Welcome to the Phoenix Theater build thread. This post is just a placeholder for the actual final details and photos, when this is all done a year (or probably more) from now.
High Level Summary
Dimensions
Before soundproofing: 22' 9" x 14' 4" x 8'
After soundproofing: 21' 7" x 13' 3" x 8' 3"
Build Timeline & Index
07.29.2011 - 10.16.2011 : Build new garage and wire it
10.23.2011 - 01.14.2013 : Build addition in old garage with 2 bedrooms, 1 utility room, 1 full bathroom
02.01.2013 - 11.17.2013 : Complete redo of bedroom into office (new exterior door; built-in bookcases; new desks; etc)
03.13.2013 - 11.17.2013 : Lots of other dependent or connected side projects in house
11.18.2013 - 01.04.2014 : Primary theater demo
01.31.2014 - 03.02.2014 : New bearing wall
03.03.2014 - 03.16.2014 : Removed rest of walls and joists to create final "blank canvas" for the theater!
03.17.2014 - 03.30.2014 : Insulation on exterior walls
03.31.2014 - 04.13.2014 : Paint windows and minor things
04.14.2014 - 04.27.2014 : Inside wall framing
04.28.2014 - 05.04.2014 : Moving the solar tube
05.11.2014 : Conceptual design thoughts
05.23.2014 : Soundproofing material order
05.25.2014 - 06.01.2014 : New electrical sub-panel
06.14.2014 - 06.28.2014 : Installing new floating joists
06.29.2014 : New exterior door
06.28.2014 - 07.27.2014 : Massive soundproofing theater door construction
08.06.2014 - 08.09.2014 : Applying netting with staple gun
08.10.2014 : Really dumb decision - Added outlet boxes
08.13.2014 - 08.17.2014 : Insulation and putty pads
08.17.2014 : Pre-drywall simple soundproofing tests
08.22.2014 - 08.24.2014 : Simple attic hatch
08.25.2014 - 08.30.2014 : First layer drywall
08.31.2014 - 09.01.2014 : Second layer drywall ceiling
09.02.2014 - 09.06.2014 : Zig-zag caulking
09.04.2014 - 09.14.2014 : Second layer drywall walls
09.15.2014 - 09.28.2014 : Taping and mudding
10.03.2014 : Disappointing RTA tests after drywall
10.06.2014 - 10.07.2014 : DIY Speaker and Subs discussion
10.09.2014 - 10.18.2014 : Initial stage and riser design plus riser vent discussion
10.19.2014 : Summary of recent events and decisions
10.21.2014 : Testing stage filler - Sand, Fiberglass, or Nothing : Thread Start
10.26.2014 - 10.30.2014 : Started stage testing; discusson on wiring
11.02.2014 : "Column" outlets plus equipment closet demo
11.05.2014 : Power in the theater!
11.07.2014 - 11.09.2014 : HVAC discussion and calculations
11.09.2014 : Hauling sand for the stage
11.19.2014 : Testing stage filler - Sand, Fiberglass, or Nothing : Experiment Results
11.21.2014 : Building the stage
11.23.2014 : Designing the riser
11.30.2014 : (Non-DIY) HVAC installation
12.07.2014 : One-day ad-hoc speaker build
12.07.2014 : Building a riser - framing
12.07.2014 : Building a riser - electrical
12.18.2014 : Building a riser - insulation and top
12.20.2014 : Building a riser - vent holes
12.28.2014 : Soffit overview
12.30.2014 : In-theater HVAC work
01.03.2015 : More HVAC work
01.11.2015 : Soffit framing start
01.11.2015 : Conduit start
01.18.2015 : In-theater lighting thoughts
01.19.2015 : Riser conduit finished
01.19.2015 : Soffit conduit installation
01.20.2015 - 01.23.2015 : Discussion on LED power, control, dimming, etc
01.25.2015 : Agonizing over how to make the soffits "level"
01.29.2015 - 01.31.2015 : Rethinking the chunky front soffit
02.01.2015 : Building the soffit face
02.06.2015 - 02.16.2015: The soffit as a duct (with HVAC math)
02.16.2015 : Installing the soffit's first OSB layer
02.19.2015 : Why DIY -- My personal philosophy
02.22.2015 : Installing the soffit's second drywall layer
02.28.2015 : The Road To MVP - The Plan and What It All Means
03.01.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 1 of 13 - Screenwash soffit
03.08.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 2 of 13 - Taping and mudding the soffit
03.12.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 3 of 13 - Comparing the possible projectors; buying the Panny
03.15.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 3 of 13 - Final mudding + Backer boxes for ceiling speakers
03.22.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 4 of 13 - Installing ceiling speakers, pulling speaker wire
03.30.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 5 of 13 - Reinstall automatic door bottom, seal door, retest
04.06.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 6 of 13 - Painting with primer
04.12.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 7 of 13 - Building the light tray
04.19.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 8 of 13 - Installing the light tray and recessed lighting
04.26.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 9 of 13 - Backer boxes and mounting the projector
05.03.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 10 of 13 - Attic Insulation
05.12.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 11 of 13 - Redone stage and riser trim
05.17.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 12 of 13 - Riser trim paint, temporary window plugs, carpet installation!
05.26.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 13 of 13 - Screen frame
05.26.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 13 of 13 - Screen wall construction
05.27.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 13 of 13 - Spandex screen
05.29.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 13 of 13 - Screen wall fabric panels
05.31.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 13 of 13 - MVP punchlist
05.31.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 13 of 13 - MVP!!!
06.01.2015 : 138" 16:9 Spandex Screen and Frame - Warts and All!
Six Month Construction Break
10.11.2015 : Tentative column design
11.01.2015 : Building a prototype column
11.15.2015 : Installed prototype column
11.25.2015 : Cutting glass basics - w/ Video
12.01.2015 : Creating an exact fit dado jig - w/ Video
12.07.2015 : Building the columns (Part 1 of 2) - w/ Video
12.07.2015 : Building the columns (Part 2 of 2)
02.14.2016 : Discussion on remotes that don't suck
02.22.2016 : Building an HTPC
02.25.2016 : Installing OpenELEC in an HTPC
04.22.2016 : Installing Emby Server in OpenELEC
09.30.2016 : How to install a pull cord in conduit
10.01.2016 : A review of the Logitech Harmony Companion remote
10.07.2016 : Pulling the IR cable to the projector
10.07.2016 - 10.29.2016 : Choosing, buying, and unboxing a Denon X6200W AVR
High Level Summary
- One story ranch house with slump block (concrete) walls
- Combine two bedrooms into one larger room
- Expand new larger room by 2.5 feet, using the closets and part of the hallway
- Vault ceiling by 4.5 inches (IF POSSIBLE)
- Move light, switches, and solar tube in hallway
- Support essential attic post after all support walls are removed
- Insulate three exterior walls with 1" rigid foam, plus insulation in 2x4 wall
- Frame "room within a room" with interior 2x4s walls
- Frame floating joists resting on interior walls
- Panel over interior walls with OSB + Green Glue + 5/8" Drywall
- Create new 100 amp service panel
- Allocate several dedicated 20A AFCI circuits for theater
- Create new structured wiring panel
- Create new mass loaded door (MAYBE TWO)
- Stage
- Riser
- Soffits
- Screenwall
- DIY Acoustically transparent screen
- 10' Screen
- DIY Speakers
- DIY Subwoofers
- Nearly everything DIY
Dimensions
Before soundproofing: 22' 9" x 14' 4" x 8'
After soundproofing: 21' 7" x 13' 3" x 8' 3"
Build Timeline & Index
07.29.2011 - 10.16.2011 : Build new garage and wire it
10.23.2011 - 01.14.2013 : Build addition in old garage with 2 bedrooms, 1 utility room, 1 full bathroom
02.01.2013 - 11.17.2013 : Complete redo of bedroom into office (new exterior door; built-in bookcases; new desks; etc)
03.13.2013 - 11.17.2013 : Lots of other dependent or connected side projects in house
11.18.2013 - 01.04.2014 : Primary theater demo
01.31.2014 - 03.02.2014 : New bearing wall
03.03.2014 - 03.16.2014 : Removed rest of walls and joists to create final "blank canvas" for the theater!
03.17.2014 - 03.30.2014 : Insulation on exterior walls
03.31.2014 - 04.13.2014 : Paint windows and minor things
04.14.2014 - 04.27.2014 : Inside wall framing
04.28.2014 - 05.04.2014 : Moving the solar tube
05.11.2014 : Conceptual design thoughts
05.23.2014 : Soundproofing material order
05.25.2014 - 06.01.2014 : New electrical sub-panel
06.14.2014 - 06.28.2014 : Installing new floating joists
06.29.2014 : New exterior door
06.28.2014 - 07.27.2014 : Massive soundproofing theater door construction
08.06.2014 - 08.09.2014 : Applying netting with staple gun
08.10.2014 : Really dumb decision - Added outlet boxes
08.13.2014 - 08.17.2014 : Insulation and putty pads
08.17.2014 : Pre-drywall simple soundproofing tests
08.22.2014 - 08.24.2014 : Simple attic hatch
08.25.2014 - 08.30.2014 : First layer drywall
08.31.2014 - 09.01.2014 : Second layer drywall ceiling
09.02.2014 - 09.06.2014 : Zig-zag caulking
09.04.2014 - 09.14.2014 : Second layer drywall walls
09.15.2014 - 09.28.2014 : Taping and mudding
10.03.2014 : Disappointing RTA tests after drywall
10.06.2014 - 10.07.2014 : DIY Speaker and Subs discussion
10.09.2014 - 10.18.2014 : Initial stage and riser design plus riser vent discussion
10.19.2014 : Summary of recent events and decisions
10.21.2014 : Testing stage filler - Sand, Fiberglass, or Nothing : Thread Start
10.26.2014 - 10.30.2014 : Started stage testing; discusson on wiring
11.02.2014 : "Column" outlets plus equipment closet demo
11.05.2014 : Power in the theater!
11.07.2014 - 11.09.2014 : HVAC discussion and calculations
11.09.2014 : Hauling sand for the stage
11.19.2014 : Testing stage filler - Sand, Fiberglass, or Nothing : Experiment Results
11.21.2014 : Building the stage
11.23.2014 : Designing the riser
11.30.2014 : (Non-DIY) HVAC installation
12.07.2014 : One-day ad-hoc speaker build
12.07.2014 : Building a riser - framing
12.07.2014 : Building a riser - electrical
12.18.2014 : Building a riser - insulation and top
12.20.2014 : Building a riser - vent holes
12.28.2014 : Soffit overview
12.30.2014 : In-theater HVAC work
01.03.2015 : More HVAC work
01.11.2015 : Soffit framing start
01.11.2015 : Conduit start
01.18.2015 : In-theater lighting thoughts
01.19.2015 : Riser conduit finished
01.19.2015 : Soffit conduit installation
01.20.2015 - 01.23.2015 : Discussion on LED power, control, dimming, etc
01.25.2015 : Agonizing over how to make the soffits "level"
01.29.2015 - 01.31.2015 : Rethinking the chunky front soffit
02.01.2015 : Building the soffit face
02.06.2015 - 02.16.2015: The soffit as a duct (with HVAC math)
02.16.2015 : Installing the soffit's first OSB layer
02.19.2015 : Why DIY -- My personal philosophy
02.22.2015 : Installing the soffit's second drywall layer
02.28.2015 : The Road To MVP - The Plan and What It All Means
03.01.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 1 of 13 - Screenwash soffit
03.08.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 2 of 13 - Taping and mudding the soffit
03.12.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 3 of 13 - Comparing the possible projectors; buying the Panny
03.15.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 3 of 13 - Final mudding + Backer boxes for ceiling speakers
03.22.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 4 of 13 - Installing ceiling speakers, pulling speaker wire
03.30.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 5 of 13 - Reinstall automatic door bottom, seal door, retest
04.06.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 6 of 13 - Painting with primer
04.12.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 7 of 13 - Building the light tray
04.19.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 8 of 13 - Installing the light tray and recessed lighting
04.26.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 9 of 13 - Backer boxes and mounting the projector
05.03.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 10 of 13 - Attic Insulation
05.12.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 11 of 13 - Redone stage and riser trim
05.17.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 12 of 13 - Riser trim paint, temporary window plugs, carpet installation!
05.26.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 13 of 13 - Screen frame
05.26.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 13 of 13 - Screen wall construction
05.27.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 13 of 13 - Spandex screen
05.29.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 13 of 13 - Screen wall fabric panels
05.31.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 13 of 13 - MVP punchlist
05.31.2015 : The Road To MVP - Week 13 of 13 - MVP!!!
06.01.2015 : 138" 16:9 Spandex Screen and Frame - Warts and All!
Six Month Construction Break
10.11.2015 : Tentative column design
11.01.2015 : Building a prototype column
11.15.2015 : Installed prototype column
11.25.2015 : Cutting glass basics - w/ Video
12.01.2015 : Creating an exact fit dado jig - w/ Video
12.07.2015 : Building the columns (Part 1 of 2) - w/ Video
12.07.2015 : Building the columns (Part 2 of 2)
02.14.2016 : Discussion on remotes that don't suck
02.22.2016 : Building an HTPC
02.25.2016 : Installing OpenELEC in an HTPC
04.22.2016 : Installing Emby Server in OpenELEC
09.30.2016 : How to install a pull cord in conduit
10.01.2016 : A review of the Logitech Harmony Companion remote
10.07.2016 : Pulling the IR cable to the projector
10.07.2016 - 10.29.2016 : Choosing, buying, and unboxing a Denon X6200W AVR