Carpet or Hardwood?

[Therickus]

We are working on designing a theater for our downstairs. The rest of the house is hardwood, and we would like to keep that theme, but I wonder if anyone has any reason as to why we wouldn't do hardwood. Anyone?

[RUR]

Originally Posted by Therickus

We are working on designing a theater for our downstairs. The rest of the house is hardwood, and we would like to keep that theme, but I wonder if anyone has any reason as to why we wouldn't do hardwood. Anyone?

Hardwood is highly reflective and usually not desired. If you're building a dedicated home theater, your best bet is to invest in proper sound treatments. This will have as much effect upon your audio enjoyment as will the sound system, itself. A qualified evaluation with planning for room treatments (and not the treatments themselves) will cost you ~$1,500.

If you're willing to do some research, there are plenty of forum discussions of room treatments at AVS and other fora.

[sticks4legs]

I would agree that hardwood will not give you the best results.
Simply clap in a quiet room that currently has hardwood and listen to the echo and bounceback....

[LOTR07]

Originally Posted by Therickus

We are working on designing a theater for our downstairs. The rest of the house is hardwood, and we would like to keep that theme, but I wonder if anyone has any reason as to why we wouldn't do hardwood. Anyone?

I just re-modeled the family room where i have my main set up and went with ceramic tile and am utilizing a large wool rug and the sound is much more dynamic and crisp. the room was formally carpeted and sounded great but in comparison with some tweaking and calibration the room sounds even better. if you want to keep the aesthetics with the hardwood you can accomplish this very well with tile. It worked well for me. When i get home tonight i can post before and after pics if one so desires. My $0.02 worth.

[Brian Cash]

i used carpet for mine

[rogman]

Originally Posted by Therickus

We are working on designing a theater for our downstairs. The rest of the house is hardwood, and we would like to keep that theme, but I wonder if anyone has any reason as to why we wouldn't do hardwood. Anyone?

We went thru the same decision at our house. I finished the basement with the focus being on creating an awesome home theater space. As mentioned in another post, all hardwood will create nasty echos, and the "clap test" will prove it. What we did was carpet most of the basement, with a 'kitchen area' in the back where we used a laminate floor. Turned out great, no echos!

When you say 'downstairs', I'm assuming you mean basement. As far as I know, there aren't ANY hardwood floors approved for use below grade. There are some engineered hardwoods that will work, and most laminates are fine. If you do decide to do all wood, make sure it's approved for below grade.

One thing that might help acoustics (if you do go the all wood/laminate route) is a large area rug to cover the floor. You may also have to put something on the walls (acoustic panels, tapestries, etc.) to 'deaden' the room. You'll get much better sound that way.

I hope you'll check out my site at: www.finishabasement.com. It sounds like you're going thru a lot of what I did, and hopefully the stuff on the site will help...

[LOTR07]

I hope you'll check out my site at: www.finishabasement.com. It sounds like you're going thru a lot of what I did, and hopefully the stuff on the site will help...[/QUOTE]


Nice site, to bad it was just posted, it certainly would have been helpful earlier. you did alot of work. i wished i had the time to do more of that.

[richteer]

Another disadvantage to using hardwood--in addition to the audio ones mentioned by others--is the damage the spikes on speakers or speaker stands will do.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by richteer

Another disadvantage to using hardwood--in addition to the audio ones mentioned by others--is the damage the spikes on speakers or speaker stands will do.

There are spike cups for hardwood floors. About 1cm wide with a center dimple for the spike tip.

[stardalo]

Hardwood always looks great though. Put down an area rug and add some nice curtains.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by richteer

Another disadvantage to using hardwood--in addition to the audio ones mentioned by others--is the damage the spikes on speakers or speaker stands will do.

I would just get a few carpet samples, and cut to size.

I have hardwood floors, and I just use carpet samples that you can't even see under the speakers (without spikes though) and a large area rug for the rest, but I also don't currently have a dedicated home theater room, so I have furniture/plants/curtains that all provide accoustic treatments to the room. I've said it before, and was ridiculed, but plants are a great natural way to absorb sound.

[Deadset]

Originally Posted by rogman

We went thru the same decision at our house. I finished the basement with the focus being on creating an awesome home theater space. As mentioned in another post, all hardwood will create nasty echos, and the "clap test" will prove it. What we did was carpet most of the basement, with a 'kitchen area' in the back where we used a laminate floor. Turned out great, no echos!

When you say 'downstairs', I'm assuming you mean basement. As far as I know, there aren't ANY hardwood floors approved for use below grade. There are some engineered hardwoods that will work, and most laminates are fine. If you do decide to do all wood, make sure it's approved for below grade.

One thing that might help acoustics (if you do go the all wood/laminate route) is a large area rug to cover the floor. You may also have to put something on the walls (acoustic panels, tapestries, etc.) to 'deaden' the room. You'll get much better sound that way.

I hope you'll check out my site at: www.finishabasement.com. It sounds like you're going thru a lot of what I did, and hopefully the stuff on the site will help...

Cool, I'm finishing our basement this year. I'll most likely do engineered hardwood, laid on top of drycore subfloor. I'm running the speaker / network etc through the walls, going to try to keep things clean.

Did you get the book from Roger German? It's been helpful for me.

[rogman]

Originally Posted by Deads3t

Cool, I'm finishing our basement this year. I'll most likely do engineered hardwood, laid on top of drycore subfloor. I'm running the speaker / network etc through the walls, going to try to keep things clean.

Did you get the book from Roger German? It's been helpful for me.

Yup. That's one of the ones I recommend on the site. Very good book! I decided to make the site because I couldn't find one that walked me thru all the steps, so I figured I'd try make the site as part of the project. If you have any Qs as you go along, hopefully the site will help. Or contact me at: postmaster@finishabasement.com. Not an expert, but I learned a lot in the process. I'll be glad to help if I can.

I ran my speaker cable and HDMI cable for the projector thru the walls before I drywalled. I installed an empty outlet box, drilled a hole in the top, and ran PVC pipe down a stud to it. Made life much easier afterwards! The only problem was I used too small of a pipe and all the wires wouldn't fit! (I had to have my electrician fish the HDMI cable separately.)

I'd recommend a 1 1/2 - 2" pipe to fit all the wires.

[Bullseye]

Most theaters have carpets on the floor and the walls are also treated. I would go with carpet.

[yellowblanket]

Mine is wood, it's just look alot nicer and i don't have to worry if someone spill drink or food, ect... I do however have thick rug right in front of the center channel, covered left and right as well for first reflection treatment.
My saying is this, you shouldn't have to worry about echo and stuff because there are numerous way to treat it. (carpet, panels, traps, ect...) Just go with the one you would think look best and easy for you.

[mgonzo2u]

I prefer no carpet for hardwood.

[Deadset]

Originally Posted by rogman

Yup. That's one of the ones I recommend on the site. Very good book! I decided to make the site because I couldn't find one that walked me thru all the steps, so I figured I'd try make the site as part of the project. If you have any Qs as you go along, hopefully the site will help. Or contact me at: postmaster@finishabasement.com. Not an expert, but I learned a lot in the process. I'll be glad to help if I can.

I ran my speaker cable and HDMI cable for the projector thru the walls before I drywalled. I installed an empty outlet box, drilled a hole in the top, and ran PVC pipe down a stud to it. Made life much easier afterwards! The only problem was I used too small of a pipe and all the wires wouldn't fit! (I had to have my electrician fish the HDMI cable separately.)

I'd recommend a 1 1/2 - 2" pipe to fit all the wires.

Ok, I'll check out the site. Right now, I'm at about month 3, working just on the weekends and some during the week...just depends how motivated I am. I've got the framing done, 2 pocket doors, HVAC extensions, and have the plumbing for the bathroom roughed in. Right now, I've ran over 1300' of copper wire, made up all the boxes etc, just have to hook them to the breaker. I'm an electrical engineer by trade, more so on the discrete logic side, but I can also do this stuff.

It's a hella lot of work, but fun. I'm hoping to have my plumbing / electrical inspections done by the end of April so I can drywall in May.

For the flooring, I've been reading up on drycore subfloor. Looks good, will keep the floor warmer and has black plastic nubs for keeping it dry, just in case... then i'll put the laminate floor on. I just like the way it looks, plus I don't like the idea of carpet in a basement, even though I have a sup pump, still it stays more humid down there.

[rogman]

Originally Posted by Deads3t

Ok, I'll check out the site. Right now, I'm at about month 3, working just on the weekends and some during the week...just depends how motivated I am. I've got the framing done, 2 pocket doors, HVAC extensions, and have the plumbing for the bathroom roughed in. Right now, I've ran over 1300' of copper wire, made up all the boxes etc, just have to hook them to the breaker. I'm an electrical engineer by trade, more so on the discrete logic side, but I can also do this stuff.

It's a hella lot of work, but fun. I'm hoping to have my plumbing / electrical inspections done by the end of April so I can drywall in May.

For the flooring, I've been reading up on drycore subfloor. Looks good, will keep the floor warmer and has black plastic nubs for keeping it dry, just in case... then i'll put the laminate floor on. I just like the way it looks, plus I don't like the idea of carpet in a basement, even though I have a sup pump, still it stays more humid down there.

Sounds like you're pretty far along!

Although I did most of the basement myself, I had contractors do some of it. Sounds like you don't need help w/electrical (I hired that out). One thing I'd highly recommend (unless you're really good at it) is hiring someone to finish the drywall. I did (because I know I suck at it) and I'm SOOOO glad I did! I found a guy who was really good that did it for $25/hr. He finished and sanded my whole basement (about 1200 sq. ft.) in 17 hours! He did three coats, plus sanding! All I did was the cleanup and then prime/paint. The BEST decision I ever made!

I fixed a few cracks before I started and then bought a dehumidifier for the moisture. (Bought it to help the mud dry faster.) It really helps keep the basement warm & cozy. You'd be amazed at how much removing the extra moisture helps make the basement feel warmer.

[Deadset]

Originally Posted by rogman

Sounds like you're pretty far along!

Although I did most of the basement myself, I had contractors do some of it. Sounds like you don't need help w/electrical (I hired that out). One thing I'd highly recommend (unless you're really good at it) is hiring someone to finish the drywall. I did (because I know I suck at it) and I'm SOOOO glad I did! I found a guy who was really good that did it for $25/hr. He finished and sanded my whole basement (about 1200 sq. ft.) in 17 hours! He did three coats, plus sanding! All I did was the cleanup and then prime/paint. The BEST decision I ever made!

I fixed a few cracks before I started and then bought a dehumidifier for the moisture. (Bought it to help the mud dry faster.) It really helps keep the basement warm & cozy. You'd be amazed at how much removing the extra moisture helps make the basement feel warmer.

Thanks, every weekend since Jan 12 Don't really have to think about what I'm going to do on Saturday and Sundays since it's a must finish, I really do need my mancave.

Drywall, I have no idea how to finish it, I have a book, but it's more of an artform it seems. I'll probably install the board and have someone else finish it and texture it for me. Good idea and you got one hell of a deal at $25 an hour. Is the housing market tanking so bad they are actually dropping the labor rates? could be.

How do you like your projector? I've thought about it, but I'm very picky when it comes to how games and movies will look and am very skeptical that I can produce LCD/Plasma quality on a projector. Which model did you go with? Do you like it?

[rogman]

Originally Posted by Deads3t

Thanks, every weekend since Jan 12 Don't really have to think about what I'm going to do on Saturday and Sundays since it's a must finish, I really do need my mancave.

Drywall, I have no idea how to finish it, I have a book, but it's more of an artform it seems. I'll probably install the board and have someone else finish it and texture it for me. Good idea and you got one hell of a deal at $25 an hour. Is the housing market tanking so bad they are actually dropping the labor rates? could be.

How do you like your projector? I've thought about it, but I'm very picky when it comes to how games and movies will look and am very skeptical that I can produce LCD/Plasma quality on a projector. Which model did you go with? Do you like it?

I can totally relate to the every weekend thing. I started a year ago February. Furniture & carpet were in and theater was set up by Christmas. Did all the baseboard in January. Still trying to get the Mrs. to decide on cabinetry. Our laminate is a cherry so we're going with like a coffee colored maple glaze over a lighter finish. Went to Lowe's over the weekend- estimate was around 3k (+ the granite countertop she wants).

It was pretty stressful on the family life, but the end result was worth it. My wife loves it, and we really enjoy our 'family movie nights'. I found that creating a project plan (MS-Project) helped me make sure I didn't miss any of the tasks. The sample plan at my site might help you (although you may be too far along). It's at: http://www.finishabasement.com/proje...ning_tools.htm.

I did get a great deal w/my drywall guy. He works for my brother-in-law's biz, and did great work. I gave him a decent tip and I paid him just under $500. I had another company give me an estimate of $1300 or so. If you look you should be able to find someone competent at a decent rate with the economy the way it is.

I have an Epson Powerlite Home 1080P and a Carada 102" bright white screen. I just love it! Trying to get pics together for a photo gallery now. I have a Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH receiver and Aperion speakers: 533T (fronts), 533C (center), 534SS (dipole/bipole surrounds) and a 12" sub. I am so thrilled with the way it turned out I never want to leave the basement!

The projector is great for games too! I've been playing MLB The Show- and it's awesome. We also play Rock Band quite a bit. Costs a bit more to run than a TV, but the basement is the perfect place for it. From the back of the room (28 feet) you can still see everything great!

I was also glad I bought the Lutron Spacer System for my lighting. It wasn't too expensive, and now I can set 4 different lighting scenes all using my Harmony 880 remote.

This was the first time I tried a project of this magnitude, and I couldn't be happier. Hope yours turns out great too!