Garage to HT project help

[evnash]

Originally Posted by roar

Colour is a personal taste I think... I went from a very dark flooring, to a very light carpet and have quite enjoyed the change to light carpet, it really brightens the room up when the lights are on and the projector off, which is nice for conversation pre/post viewing.

As far as identical speakers across the front sound stage??? Oh ya! That is the way to fly if you can do it and one of the if not the main reason to go with an acoustically transparent screen when doing front projection.

yeah my screen should be up on the wall above the height of the polk 70s.

[evnash]

Hey guys, too some pics of the space to let you get the idea. again its 20' by 20' with high ceilings. We are planning to carpet and paint. i plan on having the projector on the wall between the windows, with seating near the middle of the room. i want to be able to walk behind the couches to get to the stairs.

outside looking in


standing on the stairs going into the rest of the house





water heater in the corner

[tilallr1]

One major issue/cost I think alot of people have had with using the garage as a home theater has been ventilation. Obviously to heat in winter or cool in summer (not sure where your located, so this can all depend). As well as keeping the air moving well through the space, which can get extremely warm once a couple of bodies plus all that equipment is running. The last thing you need is to sink a lot of money renovating a space, only to find out its uncomfortable to sit in for long periods. And trust me, once a 120" screen goes up with an HD picture, you may never want to leave it.

To run ventilation from your existing home setup is an expensive process. But no one I know who has done it, has ever regretted it.

Also, thoroughly suggest the subfloor option Beta Man recommended. As well as Projection technology of course.

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by roar

Might I recommend Google SketchUp for floorplans? It's a great, easy to use, free tool for modeling.

Throughly recommend Google SketchUp for floorplans or 3D designs. Here are my before and afters using it. Not too hard to use and allowed me to play with colors, room orientation and the lot, without screwing up first.

Before (google sketchup):





After (final product):

[MrFattBill]

What are you planning on doing with the actual garage door? Since it looks like a standard metal door, even adding insulation to it isn't going to make a HUGE difference in the temperature, I did this to both of mine.

Bill

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by MrFattBill

What are you planning on doing with the actual garage door? Since it looks like a standard metal door, even adding insulation to it isn't going to make a HUGE difference in the temperature, I did this to both of mine.

Bill

I think he mentioned they are removing the garage door and building a new wall with a door entry.

"removing the garage door and replacing with a entry door and new wall, and hang heavy draps to cover the windows during movie time."

I assume he will be properly insulating the new wall. Might I suggest sound proofing it as well.

[MrFattBill]

Originally Posted by tilallr1

I think he mentioned they are removing the garage door and building a new wall with a door entry. I assume he will be properly insulating the new wall. Might I suggest sound proofing it as well.

Reading comprehension owns me

Bill

[evnash]

Originally Posted by tilallr1

One major issue/cost I think alot of people have had with using the garage as a home theater has been ventilation. Obviously to heat in winter or cool in summer (not sure where your located, so this can all depend). As well as keeping the air moving well through the space, which can get extremely warm once a couple of bodies plus all that equipment is running. The last thing you need is to sink a lot of money renovating a space, only to find out its uncomfortable to sit in for long periods. And trust me, once a 120" screen goes up with an HD picture, you may never want to leave it.

To run ventilation from your existing home setup is an expensive process. But no one I know who has done it, has ever regretted it.

Also, thoroughly suggest the subfloor option Beta Man recommended. As well as Projection technology of course.

ive thought about the ac unit. the houses AC unit is in the attic only about 20 ft away from the start of the garage. i will have to get a pro out there to check it but i believe that we should be able to just add a couple vents to the garage, run the hoses back into the house, and just add two outlets to the plenum. if its too hot or cold after that, i will have to go with a small window unit in the garage. of course we will be removing the door going out to the garage so air should circulate fine.

[evnash]

Originally Posted by MrFattBill

What are you planning on doing with the actual garage door? Since it looks like a standard metal door, even adding insulation to it isn't going to make a HUGE difference in the temperature, I did this to both of mine.

Bill

garage door is coming down and a new wall is going up. with a door for entrance. all the walls and ceiling is already insulated so the new wall will be as well.

[evnash]

Originally Posted by tilallr1

I think he mentioned they are removing the garage door and building a new wall with a door entry. I assume he will be properly insulating the new wall. Might I suggest sound proofing it as well.

not too worried about sound proofing. we live on 10 acres at the end of a county road surrounded by heavy woods on two sides. not going to disturb anyone. i actually have a shooting range in my back yard.

i will be using a extra thick carpet pad tho.

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by evnash

not too worried about sound proofing. we live on 10 acres at the end of a county road surrounded by heavy woods on two sides. not going to disturb anyone. i actually have a shooting range in my back yard.

i will be using a extra thick carpet pad tho.

Awesome.

[evnash]

question about surround speakers. i plan on 7.1. speakers on side walls directly across from seating area, and speakers on rear walls behind. should i go with traditional front firing speakers or some dipole?