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The RTROSE (take my sweet time) HT Construction Thread

305K views 2K replies 170 participants last post by  kezug 
#1 ·

Well I even debated if I should even start a HT construction thread, but I figured "What the hey" I don't have anything to lose and I have lots to gain from you all here at AVS.


As the title states I will be taking my sweet time with this project for several reasons.


1) Like many of you I have a family, job, and other things all clamoring for my time/attention.


2) When it comes to home improvement and home projects I am just slow. It is just the way I'm wired, much to the chagrin of my better half, but I'm not speedy when it comes to construction.


3) Budget limitations due to this being a total finishing out of the basement to include a dedicated HT, workout area, storage, and a kids multi-media "hangout" room.


The actual HT will be approximately 13 x 20 with 7.5 foot ceilings and I am still in the actual planning stages of the HT but have started "banging nails" for the kids area. This alone is getting me excited for the HT part.


There are many things still left to plan regarding the HT and this site really does not help due to the fact my plans keep changing from all the new info I get from here from AVS.


As time allows I provide some pics of what is going on, but first off those of you having built a HT is it better to build a screen wall that is AT and lose some valuable space, or is it better to keep the space and place the speakers on stands or floor next to the screen?


This is the biggest dilemma at the moment. I had just planned on using speaker mounts and placing the speakers to the side and under the screen and after seeing some of the theaters here I have appreciated the clean look of the theaters where the speakers are not visible.


Here I go slowly into this amazing journey. Hopefully I will be done in time for my oldest's graduation party in 2013!


Regards,


RTROSE


Well at the request of a poster later on in my build I have just now (4-23-09) gotten around to putting in a floor plan on this my first post. Sorry for the crude nature of the floor plan but I am in the learning stages of using Google Sketchup. Here ya go.




Ok at the request of the same poster (Drew you pesky devil you) who wanted a stick and paper representation here is a traditional drawing of my basement.




Hope this satisfies you Drew and all others who are wondering what the basement set up actually is.


Regards,


RTROSE

 

EDIT:  Thought it would be nice for those of you who start out with the first post to have some before and after shots to know how I got from here to "almost finished".

 

Kids media room.

 



 

 



 

 

Theater

 



 

 



 

 

Maybe these pics will encourage you to read further, or maybe not.  It has been quite the journey though, why not come along for the ride.
 
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#227 ·
Hello all,


Just a quick update. I spent the entire day hauling out the rest of the junk and stuff that I did not get moved out of the basement a couple of weekends ago. With the help of my wife we rearranged the storage area (thanks honey) and moved some of the stuff to that area. I was able to run an additional phone line to the kids area so now I have a total of three phone lines/jacks for the basement.


My cable from Raw Cable (Blue Jeans Cable Co.) came in so I have been drilling more holes and running more cable to the subwoofer locations. I was able to get two done today so I've got three more to go. I also picked up some "standard" RG6 for the OTA antenna and the satellite feeds.


I have decided to go with the spray foam insulation. I'm hoping this will happen within the next three weeks (depending on the spray foam company's schedule) This is a thermal/comfort choice rather than an acoustic/sound isolation choice. I have to make sure the basement is COMFORTABLE and suitable for habitation for a very cold natured family. I know from reading that the foam is not the best for sound, but I'm hoping that there will be some sound deading as a result of the foam. I will be placing some of the "pink stuff" other places such as adjoining walls, equipment closet, and the stair well.


I have also "selected" a dry waller and he is willing to work around my schedule and says he should be able to go to work pretty quickly after the spay foam is done. So I'm looking at the first of June for the spray foam and about two weeks after that I should be in the drywall getting business.


Still lots to do and I'm feeling the time crunch.


Regards,


RTROSE
 
#228 ·
You'll really "see" the theater once the drywall is up. too bad it really only marks the half-way point.
 
#229 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cathan /forum/post/16476621


You'll really "see" the theater once the drywall is up. too bad it really only marks the half-way point.

Yeah, unfortunately I know this all too well. I will be nice to be "half way" though since I never thought I would get this "far" anyway.
I think it will be at this point my wife will get truly excited about the theater because all she sees now is bare wood and lots of wires and while that excites me she is a different matter. After drywall I can see all of the work that still needs to be done but to her it will be the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. (If she only knew)


Regards,


RTROSE
 
#230 ·
Updates,


I have spent the last couple of days being productive in the basement. I have gotten all of the subwoofer cables to the five different locations. Run RG6 to the kids area, to the main theater, to the family room TV and outside to the satellite and future OTA antenna location.


I thought when I ran the RG6 to the outside I would have to drill through the actual concrete basement wall, however I was able to go through the sill plate which made it much easier. I ran three RG6 runs to the outside and terminated those in the equipment closet and I ran two separate runs to the kids area one for the satellite and one for the OTA.


I ran six runs from the family room to the basement, one for the OTA feed and five for the future TV in the pub area from the satellite receiver in the family room.


Here are some photos of some of my progress in the last couple of days.













My shortsightedness led me to use F-connectors for the connections vs. RCA for the rest of the video feeds. Will work just fine just not as easy to work with as RCA but I had to get it done prior to Thursday and did not have time to wait for a RCA wall plate to come in from say some where like Monoprice.



Continued.....
 
#231 ·
My runs to the great outdoors.










I decided to place the three runs in a trash bag, don't know if it will help keep the RG6 clean but can't hurt anything. My foam job looks like complete crap but that is what I get for trying to smooth it out too soon and having to refoam the hole to fill in the gaps I created by messing with the cables. The white PVC pipe is from the sump that runs out to the storm sewer.


I still have quite the laundry list to get done before Thursday.


* Run power and video to the PJ location.

* Wire staple all of the new cable runs.

* Remove all existing insulation

* Mount lighting boxes for the pendant lights over the kitchenette snack bar.

* Move the rest of the construction tools out of the basement so the foam guys have a clear area in which to work.


The saga continues with my circular saw being MIA I had no choice but to purchase a replacement.


My "new baby"




Details here .


Regards,


RTROSE
 
#233 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by smakovits /forum/post/16523955


Thanks for the broken link. is it corded or cordless?

Sheesh TOUCHY are we?
Thanks the link should be fixed. It worked last night but I redid it so it should work now.


It is a corded saw. I still have not made the jump to the cordless power tools yet. I had a few cordless drills when they hit the market some 12 to 15 years ago and was not impressed then with the cordless thing. Yeah I know they are much improved but you know what they say about first impressions. I can't keep track of the stuff I got let alone adding extra batteries and chargers to the mix so I keep it simple.


Regards,


RTROSE
 
#235 ·
yay toys!


My circular saw has been idle since the basement was completed. *sigh*
 
#236 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by jamis /forum/post/16527719


My circular saw has been idle since the basement was completed. *sigh*

You know, I think there should be a forum policy that those who have finished their theaters cannot rub in the fact that they're done.



Well, except for maybe Logan. But really, what's the chances that he'll finish.
 
#237 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSpoon /forum/post/16528729


You know, I think there should be a forum policy that those who have finished their theaters cannot rub in the fact that they're done.



Well, except for maybe Logan. But really, what's the chances that he'll finish.

Right on!!! Right on!!! Right on!!!! However your forgetting one important thing....We are never truly DONE with the theater. It just morphs into HT v. 2.0

Quote:
Originally Posted by jamis /forum/post/16527719


yay toys!


My circular saw has been idle since the basement was completed. *sigh*

I always like getting new toys, however I had a perfectly good saw that I just can't for the life of me track down at the moment. So I'm happy with the new toy, but would have liked to spent the money on some "new toy" I did not have already.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtosDracon /forum/post/16527697


Ok, I just spent the time to read this ENTIRE thread, you better get the insulation and drywall in soon!

Thanks for your time and I always welcome new readers to the thread, the more the merrier. Heckling is appreciated and encouraged here just remember heckling goes two ways. The "foam guys" are scheduled to be here Thursday and Friday so you won't have long to wait for that anyway. Stay tuned!


Regards,


RTROSE
 
#238 ·
Update,


Spent yesterday and today feverishly trying to get things done in preparation for insulation.


Found a wall stud that had twisted, warped, cracked, and was loose so I replaced that as a precautionary measure.


Rran the HDMI and component cables to the future projector location.


Pulled up the old carpet on the stairs (the guys who laid the carpet did a fantastic job there were at least 10,000 staples holding the carpet to the stairs), thanks guys!



Removed all of the existing insulation around the foundation perimeter.


Found a use for a left over circuit from the original electrical run to the basement.


Tracking down and wire stapling all of the new wire runs.


The kids media and hangout room is done and ready for the insulation, the other areas are close and should be ready after just a few more hours of work. I have to run some supports for the projector mount, run power to the projector location, mount the appropriate low voltage/electrical boxes and finish the wire stapling.


On top of all of this our washer decides to go belly up so we have a new front loading washer and matching dryer on order from Lowe's and just for good measure I was looking for a pneumatic stapler so I picked up this little gem.




Seems to work great and is fantastic for bike tires, but a bit on the noisy side for such a little compressor. Well see how well the stapler works but it seems to be of pretty good quality.


Regards,


RTROSE
 
#239 ·
Someone has caught the tool bug
 
#241 ·
Ok,


I got all of my "must get done" stuff done in preparation for the foam guys to come do their thing. I was really feeling "rushed" to get some stuff done prior to their arrival and going at more than the usual RTROSE pace of doing things. I also wanted to totally clean out the basement so the foam guys did not have to work around all of my junk. I don't think the basement has ever been this empty other than the day we took possession of the house almost six years ago.


The start of the build. Theater area.




Now




Start of the build. Kids media hangout area.




Now




Stairway before. You can also see HT v .5 in the photo.





Stairway now.




My solution for the future projector mount.




More updates to come and a report on the "foam guys".


Regards,


RTROSE
 
#242 ·
Stop the press. Someone call Home Theater Magazine. We not only have a little progress but pictures!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by RTROSE /forum/post/16545873


I was really feeling "rushed" to get some stuff done prior to their arrival and going at more than the usual RTROSE pace of doing things.

Maybe you should hire out every other job in the project so it keeps you moving.



I think you will be impressed with the spray foam. The stuff is great.
 
#244 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by JonyHouse /forum/post/16553478


Post pics of the foam


Well since you asked, here ya go.


Here is a link to the website of the company I used.



Their rig.





Two different foams. This is the rigid foam which also serves as a vapor barrier sprayed only on the basement walls.




This is the semi rigid or "soft" foam sprayed on the "band" area and in between the ceiling/floor joists.




I need to take photos of the "foamed" basement yet and I'll post my initial impressions but since I had a request it was the least I could do.


Sorry Drew I know you hounded me for weeks for updated pics and I did not produce but this time I actually had pictures when requested. Not trying to play favorites.



Regards,


RTROSE
 
#245 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by RPh Drew /forum/post/16548948


Stop the press. Someone call Home Theater Magazine. We not only have a little progress but pictures!!!



Maybe you should hire out every other job in the project so it keeps you moving.


HA!


I guess I should have done this from the start. Nothing like a hard deadline to motivate you.


My drywall guy called and wanted to know how I was progressing and stated he could be here next week if I was ready for him.


DOH! I agreed because if I don't commit now who knows when his schedule will open up again. Another time crunch! Working much faster than RTROSE speed. Lots to due before he gets here.


Regards,


RTROSE
 
#246 ·
All,


I spent the entire weekend working in the basement. I purchased "regular" insulation to fill in where I did not have the foam applied. 13 rolls total 7 R13's and 6 R19's and they will be going up in the storage area, equipment area, and a couple of other places around the basement. I have most of the the insulation up already as I started on Friday after they finished with the foam application. Menards had the doors I needed for the basement on sale so I picked four of them up. Heck fire after replacing all of my interior doors last year I'm now a "self proclaimed" door installation specialist.


I have also decided to go with a subfloor just to cover (no pun intended) all aspects of comfort and have chosen to go with the Certainteed product called Platon which is available at my local Menards. I figured on six rolls of the Platon and approximately 35 sheets of 5/8ths 4 x 8 OSB for the project so I went ahead and purchased the material to get started with that as well. I will also post my impressions here with the Platon product.


All in all a very productive weekend and I'm happy with the progress, although there is a lot to do before next Saturday when my drywaller shows up. More info and pics to come, yeah I know promises, promises.


Regards,


RTROSE
 
#247 ·
Hey, Howdy, Ho,


I have been a very busy camper here in the past few days. Here are a couple more photos of the foam application.



Overview of the area looking from the kitchenette to the pub table area.




Photo showing a sample of what the wall and ceiling joists look like after foam application.




Overview of the theater area from the theater entrance looking towards the screen wall.




I wanted to comment about my experience with Custom Comfort Spray Foam. When I called initially to schedule a quote I spoke with Jason (who I found out is the owner of the company) he showed up and took great interest in what I wanted to do. He even has a theater in his home so he understands the needs of a home theater. I had only planned on doing the basement walls and the ceiling of the theater with foam. I had him quote everything separately so I could choose what I wanted covered in foam sort of ala cart. Jason left and then I agonized over what to do and after much contemplating on what I wanted to do I just finally bit the bullet and told Jason to just foam everything in the basement that was standing still.


Jason showed up with his right hand man Matt. Both of them took great care in prepping the room(s), and protecting all my items in storage. They even used a tarp to block the door/stairway from the basement to the kitchen and laid tarps down over the flooring in the main level so as not to track anything on our floors. The actual spraying took about three/four hours total with the rest of the time about eight hours in setup/prep/cleanup duties. Very professional and also very personable as well. These two guys were the type of guys you would want hanging out with you at a BBQ. A very positive experience.


Regards,


RTROSE
 
#248 ·
Ok, there is more.


I wanted to post a few pics of the flooring.


Here are the players.




Laying out the first strip.




So forth and so on.




Finished product.




There are a few tricks working with the flooring but nothing too complicated just time consuming. The biggest fly in the ointment is the out of square layout of the rooms, but not what I built. The main wall down the center varies in distance from the outside concrete walls. MY walls are closer to square than the "professional builders" so that makes me smile. I would warn anyone doing this type of flooring be sure to get as many of the ripples or humps out of the material as you can. It is impossible to get them all but smoothing the seams and taping as you go helps as well as laying down your OSB sheets temporarily to hold the flooring in place. Due to the out of square condition on the last row I had to cut out a small "v" in the material to get the flooring to lay flat and to lay square at the end of the roll. There is a learning curve but the DIYer should have no major problems installing this type of product. The wife and I have noticed an immediate improvement in the "feel" of the floor and there is no longer that cold feeling underfoot. I have no regrets in deciding to use this type of flooring.


If I had to do it over again I would have put the flooring in first and then built my walls on top of the flooring. It would have just been easier to do it that way.


Cost of the flooring approximately $ 0.37 per sq. ft.

Cost of the OSB approximately $ 0.26 per sq ft.

Total per sq. ft. $ 0.63. I think this is a very affordable flooring option considering the DriCore panels are approximately $ 1.25-1.50 per sq. ft.


I'm very pleased with the results so far.


I also talked with my drywaller this evening and we are still on for Saturday. My drywall gets delivered on Friday morning and my drywaller shows up at 0800 on Saturday.


Still lots to do and the clock is ticking ever more loudly and quickly.


Regards,


RTROSE
 
#249 ·
Great progress!
 
#251 ·
RT - Coming along nicely! Im' getting to the point of having to clean up my room too! Curious about the use of the "solid" foam. does that not re-couple the wall? Or did I miss that discussion?

Quote:
Cost of the flooring approximately $ 0.37 per sq. ft.

Cost of the OSB approximately $ 0.26 per sq ft.

Total per sq. ft. $ 0.63. I think this is a very affordable flooring option considering the DriCore panels are approximately $ 1.25-1.50 per sq. ft.

This is interesting. Seems to me all of the prvious threads had the two costing about the same. Unfortunately, since I used dricore and built on top, and then had to remove it, I'm stuck putting the dricore back in. You may remember that we went around the room and pulled out all that we could. This left the tiles that were still under the walls. So now the plan is to cut the remaining tiles as close to the wall as possible and then put the dricore back in, in the inside perimeter of the walls. At least this will make it easier if it EVER happens again.


Keep up the great progress!
 
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