Memone Family Theater Project
Project build begin date 11/03/2003 - Opening Night 1/26/2007
I began thinking of my theater build project years before I was even was married or owned a home. Mentioning this, I began to purchase High-End speakers and a few components here and there knowing I would use them in the future in my theater. I started with speakers because the technology doesn't drastically change like electronics do every other year in general. Then a power cleaner (Monster Power 5000)
So my wife and I found our home, only the foundation had been poured, right away I was eyeing up the basement as my domain.
So the house was built, and the wife had no interest in the basement or what i did with it, as long as it was useable.
Well here and there I would purchase a piece of equipment as our budget allowed, finally the first steps of the build which I was looking forward to.
I purchased some home design software and created the basement design. I wanted 3 rooms, a childrens playroom, a gameroom, and a theater!
the software was a great help in the early stages becasue I was able to put dimensions of the rooms in and do virtual walk throughs, really cool!!! It inspired me even more.
In my research I ran into a great webiste where a really nice guy designed his theater and had many of the same ideas which I had thought of all along such as stadium bi-level seating. His website was awesome!!! It gave step by step design and build ideas many of which I incorporated and modified to suit my design.
So finally it was time to prep the bare cement walls, even though my basement is bone dry I wanted to know to feel secure knowing I would not have to deal with any moisture problems. I painted all the walls with killz cement sealer bought by the gallon at home depot. Once the walls were bare cement walls were preped it was time for the studs and framing and sheetrock etc..... This part of the project took me about 1.5 years, I did everything myself with help of various friends in the trades which really saved me in labor costs. In fact, the only items which I did not do myself was the electrical connections (Licensed electrician) and rugs. Everything else was done basically 8pm to midnight for about 1.5 years. Now mind you there were times where I was just burned out so I would take a few weeks off just to get away or for budgetary reasons. If you plan on taking on a project this size here are some important lessons I learned.
1) Plan, Plan plan.... Meaning, think placement of outlets wire runs, heating and cooling systems just to name a few....
2) If you find yourself getting tired, take a break from the project to revitalize yourself
3) Dont cut corners, redoing work is no fun.
4) Plan plan plan
I wanted the theater to be as sound proof as possible, so I took steps to insure sound stayed in the room as much as possible. I lined the studs in the Theater room with pink thin sponge insulation using glue. This was barrier 1, next sound barrier ... I lined the bottom half of the room with carpet which further dampened the echoing effects and helped sound proofing, next I purchased 12inchX12inch acoustic foam panels and lined behind the speakers and the back wall. Finally I added a drop ceiling. All these steps make the room relatively sound proof, If a movie is on in the theater it isnt an annoyance through the rest of the house..which is great!!!!
Well attached are the pictures of the build and final product. Feel free to email me or contact me if you have any questions about equipment, design ideas or any other things I can help out with for your build. I could write a book just listing all the equipment and specifics so I will just leave it up to the reader to ask specific questions. Anyway enjoy and good luck!!!
Shop around on the internet look for bargins, you can really find some neat stuff!!!
I've had questions about the screen...well it was a "do it yourself project" bought the fabric on eBay approx $80 1.3 gain 96" X 54" built a fame for about $60 worth of materials. If any of you have been shopping for screens your looking at $600+ starting price for fixed frame screens.
SAFETY:
1 thing really never mentioned in any of the posts I have read is safety. For those people building their theaters in basements keep the following in mind. Have clearly marked EXITS in case of fire, and Extinguishers!!! Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors ($30) in key areas. Most of us building in basements share the basement with our furnace/oil burner MAKE SURE YOU BUY A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR!!! Have a exit escape plan/strategy, don't be caught off guard. You and your families lives are'nt worth a movie!
DATA:
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 Carbon Monoxide Detectors - 4 smoke detectors - 2 Escape Ladders - 3 extinguishers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Room Size: Theater = W12.5 ft X L22ft X H8.5ft
Consession = W12.5 ft X L17ft x H8.5ft
Estimated build cost Actual = $25,000 with 95% DIY
Retail = $60,000 - $75,000 easy
All Klipsch Speakers (7.1 Surround) SVS Subwoofer
All compunents run off of dedicated HTPC in association with cinemar control software. Including lighting effects.
