Installing wire and cables in existing drywall

[terrance]

What is the best method of trenching or otherwise installing speaker wire and cables into existing walls??

 

[Mudcat]

Pay someone else to do it.

 

[djoxygen]

buy a mask, a Saws-All, and prepare to get dusty.

going vertical isn't too bad - you can cut small holes and fish cable through - but if you want to go around the perimeter of the room, you might as well rip down the drywall, wire the way you want, and start fresh.

 

[Yamaman]

Or try this invisible, flat speaker wire (link below). You can apply tape/drywall compound directly over this wire, sand and then paint or wall paper over.

How good is this product? I have no idea; your tape and mudwork would have to be pretty good in order to create a smooth, seamless wall- but it would be less work than ripping out drywall.

www.decorp.com/dewire.htm

There are other manufacturers as well.

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

But wouldn't that flatten out the signal?

I've seen other flat paintable wire at Radio Shack but that looks a mite more sophisticated; pretty cool! Worth a bookmark. Can't imagine any trouble with the runs found in most domestic systems.

Anyway, yeah, it beats cutting drywall

 

[Rob Babcock]

Depends a lot upon how you paint it. Choosing the wrong shade of paint can "color" the sound.

 

[mtrycrafts]

But wouldn't that flatten out the signal?

Not only that but suffocating it as well.

 

[mtrycrafts]

What is the best method of trenching or otherwise installing speaker wire and cables into existing walls??

Can you go up into the attic or under neath? How much of a handyman are you? It is easy if you know how either way.

 

[plhart]

These guys have one of the slickest solutions around>

http://www.wiretracks.com/prod-rf.html

I've also used the flat wire which was equivalent to 16 gauge two-conductor and finish mudded over it. Had no problems with the flat wire in a 25 foot run.

Last way I've done it is with those 4' long 1/2' drill-rods that you buy at a home theater jobber supply. Using a 2500 RPM drill motor drill up through the drywall and into the attic if you've got enough crawl space. Then run a bent coat hanger up through the hole, tie on the wire and pull it through. Helps greatly with two people. It's a real bear by yourself.

 

[junkilo]

you can notch the drywall and run it, spackle and repaint over it.
rip everything and start from scratch
flat wire tricks
get some db speaker cable and mash it under baseboard
use pvc pipe as a decoration while using it to run your cable
pull it into the overhead and push it down
pull it down through the subfloor and under the house
use it as crown moulding on your baseboard

have fun!

 

[Mark Duncan]

That flatwire looks promising. I think under carpet might work well. I have a concrete slab under my theater, and I would like to have a Charging dock for my Pronto on the table beside the couch. They say they will have electrical cord available soon. I see potential...

Mark