If you’ve been thinking about adding a new home theater to your house, it’s important to consider all the factors involved with Home Theater Installation. You may have the perfect seating options and an extensive movie library, but what sort of theater equipment will be best for your home? At Turn-Key Smart Homes in Houston, we can provide professional installation for your new theater space, creating a beautiful room where you’ll love spending as much time as you can.
Choosing a Room
Perhaps you already have a room that’s perfect for a viewing area, and you’re ready to get started on installation. However, if you’re renovating your home or you’re still contemplating which room will be best, there are some things to consider before contacting a home theater professional about Home Theater Installation.
The Ceiling and Walls
Every room has a ceiling and walls, and knowing the dimensions of your potential space can help you when it comes time to choose the audio and visual components for the room. A vaulted ceiling can be a drawback when it comes to watching TV and movies, as the sound can travel up and out instead of towards the viewers. You’ll also have to consider the dimensions of your new theater screen and where you will place the surround sound speakers for optimal audio performance. You’ll want the speakers to be mounted high enough so that the sound can travel down to the seating area. Standard eight- to 10-foot ceilings are often ideal for new theater rooms.
When it comes to the walls, you’ll have to consider how you will run and hide the wires that are necessary for your new home cinema. Integrating “smart panels” that contain your cables and wires for audio and video will help you hide everything for a clean and seamless look on the wall. This is especially helpful if you’re mounting a new flat screen TV instead of opting for a high-definition projector screen. It may require you to run new wires and cables behind your walls, so keep in mind the demolition and restoration that may be required to set up everything the way you want it.
Windows and Doors
You’ll have to have a door in order to get into your new home theater, but it’s important to know what type of door is best. Glass doors are not ideal, as they can let in light and sound from outside the room, and aren’t always the best for acoustics. You’ll want a door that isn’t hollow, and that closes securely when you’re watching something.
When it comes to windows, the biggest concern is natural light. Sunlight can cause glare on the screen, and while you can hang blackout curtains or add shades, these can absorb sound and affect the room’s acoustics. Basement rooms can be ideal for home entertainment areas, since they have minimal windows and the ones they do have are often smaller in size.
The Room’s Shape
You’ve most likely been to your local movie cineplex, and you’ve noticed how the each theater is arranged. The room is often longer than it is wider, and this can be something to keep in mind when designing your home viewing area. By placing the screen at one end of the room and arranging the seating far enough back from the screen, you can create the optimal area for TV, movies, and video games. You might be thinking about creating stadium seating, like the design found in commercial theaters, and having a room that is longer than it is wide can help retain the space and legroom you want. You’ll also want to be sure that everyone can walk in and out of the room without having to maneuver around a bunch of furniture.