When it comes to basement remodeling projects, the home theater is one of the most popular ideas. And for a good reason. Generally speaking, the basement has a few natural advantages unique to other parts of the home.
For example, one beneficial aspect is the basement floor. Most basement floors are made out of concrete. This means that the sound’s vibration is significantly reduced and is less likely to disturb others in the home.
The foundation walls also tend to be made using concrete. Thus, the sound will never escape the room, making it the perfect location for action-packed movies.
So as you can see, the basement is the ideal location for a home theater. However, before you decide to turn your basement into a home theater, here are a few crucial details you need to consider.
#1 – The Size of The Basement
Before you can do any type of project, you must consider the amount of space you have available.
When it comes to a basement home theater, all equipment must safely and comfortably fit the space. This would include the big screen, seating, wires, and anything else needed for your setup. Keep in mind, the bigger the screen, the more space you will need.
Ideally, you want your basement to be at least 12 feet wide, 20 feet deep, and 8 feet high. If your space is larger than that, then lucky you!
If it’s smaller, that’s okay too. Just know you will need to settle for a smaller overall setup.
#2 – Dampness
Basements are known for being damp. And as you very well know, dampness and electronics don’t mix. Even the smallest amount of water can cause severe damage to your electronics.
Also, due to the basement location, it’s not uncommon for them to flood during heavy rain seasons.
If you want your new home theatre to last more than a few months, it’s imperative you properly prepare for such situations.
In some cases, a humidifier may be all you need to keep the dampness at bay. In other situations, say, for instance, if you have a lot of water pipes running through the basement, you may need to take more drastic measures.
Properly sealing the water pipes and installing a sump pump will help control the water if your basement floods.
#3 – Flooring
We’ve already mentioned this earlier but let’s dive in a little deeper. Generally speaking, basement floors are made out of concrete. Because of this, the acoustics tend to be pretty good. Even still, sound may improve quite a bit by simply carpeting the floor.
However, before carpeting the basement floor, be sure to waterproof the basement first. The last thing you want is water seeping through the floor and ruining the carpet and electronics.
If there is already a problem with your basement floor seeping water, you should cover it with tiles instead of carpeting it. Just be sure to use waterproof underlayment before placing the tiles.
While there are other things you should consider before creating a home theater in your basement, these three are the most important. Consider them the foundation. When these three things check out, everything else will fall in place.
Once you have the foundation properly laid, you can start thinking about things such as wifi signals, seating, lighting, wiring, and all the gadgets and electronics you want to be a part of your home theater.
If you aren’t sure how you want to set up your new home theater, it is always a good idea to get a professional basement re-finisher to inspire you.
