PebHmong Discussion Forum

Life & Living => Home Improvement & Gardening => Topic started by: slude on November 06, 2015, 01:47:54 PM

Title: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on November 06, 2015, 01:47:54 PM
i posted this in another thread but thought i'd share it here. hoping to get some suggestions or inspire others to renovate their own room/basement.

here are some pix of my design and renovation work. still in the process of painting and putting up the center 8x8 drop ceiling, then adding optic fiber for a star ceiling.

3d design of the room. originally going with 7.1 but decided to go with 5.1 and added 2 ceiling speakers behind the theater seats.
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/01.png) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/01.png.html)
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/02.png) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/02.png.html)

plans for drywall ceiling studs
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/frame_soffit.png) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/frame_soffit.png.html)

early plans for 3 lcd's
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/65inch-2-32inch.png) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/65inch-2-32inch.png.html)

decided to do one 100" projector screen
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/100inch.png) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/100inch.png.html)

putting up drywall ceilings and wiring. projector mount and 2 hdmi cables from 12' center of room to opposite wall for 100" screen.
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/b7a15c54c94e9db86c6c5e2adcf81637.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/b7a15c54c94e9db86c6c5e2adcf81637.jpg.html)
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/6204ae02582b691fd294505adf77f881.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/6204ae02582b691fd294505adf77f881.jpg.html)
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3570.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/IMG_3570.jpg.html)

made a closet for av components with built-in shelves, access from back thru lower level
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3563.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/IMG_3563.jpg.html)
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3562.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/IMG_3562.jpg.html)

a lot of planning and work. still in progress, just finished sanding the ceiling and put a coat of paint. finishing with another coat tonight and adding crown molding trims around. star ceiling is next and new carpet tiles to complete.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on November 09, 2015, 01:38:15 PM
weekend progress...

crown molding is not easy
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3595.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/IMG_3595.jpg.html)

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3596.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/IMG_3596.jpg.html)

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3594.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/IMG_3594.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on November 09, 2015, 02:02:26 PM
yes the white trim, usually installed high against the ceiling. the lower white trim is a rail/chair trim, typically install to prevent back of chair from hitting the wall. i installed for decor purpose only and not for chairs.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on November 09, 2015, 03:01:22 PM
not to exceed 3k. it would be cheaper if i didn't have to buy new electronics. you could renovate a room and do just the walls, ceiling, paint, trims and materials for $300-$700.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: SummerBerry on November 09, 2015, 03:41:07 PM
Cool!  I think I would paint last after everything is done and up.  Crown molding must be the two end that meet in the corner that is hard to trim.  I always wonder how that part is done.  I do have crown molding in my home on the ceiling and floor or bottom against the wall.  Make it easier to clean if semi-gloss paint. 

Show more update.... Or final...
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on November 09, 2015, 04:09:39 PM
you always want to paint before the trims. if you do it last, you will need to tape a lot of areas, plus paint will bleed thru the cracks of the tape into the trims.

cutting crown molding corners is a very confusing process even with youtube tutorial. each corner is different and your house is not always straight 90 degrees. my advice to anyone doing crown molding is to buy a few extras and use it cut and make an 'inside corner' and 'outside corner' and use them as your template. once you destroyed and tested a few, it's pretty straight forward.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: Hamster_Hero on November 10, 2015, 02:41:28 PM
Good stuff, bro..... keep it up.  O0

What kinda of stereo reciever and speakers do you plan to use?  I don't know, some people over-spend on this area because it can get VERY EXPENSIVE.  My brother is a bit of an audiophile who likes the high end stuff, you know stuff you can't find at your local Best Buy kinda thing.  But I couldn't see myself spending like $2,000 or whatever it is on a set of speakers though, kinda crazy if you ask me.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on November 10, 2015, 03:55:34 PM
i settled for new entry level yamaha receiver, polk audio towers and 2 ceiling speakers. also a benq 3d projector. no sub yet, will probably go with a wireless powered sub.

i'm not a audiophile, as long as i can hear the dialogue then i'm happy. i almost bought a used higher end polk surround sound system from craigslist. i decided to cut back on expenses and use some of my existing speakers.

the most expensive items purchased are the projector and optic fiber star ceiling.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: Hamster_Hero on November 12, 2015, 04:33:26 PM
slude...... you need "Popcorn Ceiling" to help out with the acoustics from the sounds of your speakers.  Bare ceilings will send acoustic waves bouncing everywhere causing it not to sound true and echo, sort of like a how a cave is.  Just letting you know if you want it to be done right seeing how you've committed yourself to a pretty big project. 

I'm not familiar with wireless subwoofers.  If your amplifier (stereo) offers enough watts to power a sub decently, I would get a passive sub instead, it's cheaper.  But that's just a matter of personal preference, some prefer active subs.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on November 12, 2015, 05:07:17 PM
the original wall/paint is mixed with sand like texture, providing an almost 'popcorn' type ceiling. the new ceiling is flat drywall but i added sand textures to match the existing. hoping this will balance the acoustic.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on November 13, 2015, 08:55:43 AM
The white box in the first picture (bottom right).  Is that your refridgerator/storage unit? If not, you need one!  It's not a cave if you don't have a place for your drinks and food.

that's my koi fish tank tucked in the alcove. thanks for reminding me, i will try to fit a mini fridge somewhere.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on November 13, 2015, 10:04:24 AM
ceiling speakers are up.  O0 just screw the covers and the top pins will tighten together.
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3614.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/IMG_3614.jpg.html)

installed new carpet. the install requires some tools (knee kicker) to stretch and flatten the carpet at the outter edge before it goes under the wall. lots of knee pounding. make sure you have tacks with nails to grip the carpet at the outter edges. if your subfloor is concrete, get a concrete tool or use super strong gorilla glue to glue the tacks to the concrete. prepare glue 1 day prior to installing carpet for stronger grip.

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3608.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/IMG_3608.jpg.html)(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3609.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/IMG_3609.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: zena on November 17, 2015, 07:30:21 PM
Looks great!  O0
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on November 18, 2015, 09:04:25 AM
update on fiber optic star ceiling. drilled 288 holes on (2) 4x8 felt polystyrene foam boards.
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/image.jpeg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/image.jpeg.html)

finished product
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/star%20ceiling.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/star%20ceiling.jpg.html)

link to video
http://vid288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3636.mp4 (http://vid288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3636.mp4)

Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: winerice on November 19, 2015, 08:25:01 AM
looking good brother...
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on November 19, 2015, 10:45:38 AM
looking good brother...

thanks. next time i'm using glow in the dark star stickers.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on November 24, 2015, 08:42:12 AM
after one month of hard work, it's finally done. now i can relax and enjoy the show. learned a lot from this project. if anyone is curious or have questions about doing something similar, just ask. it's worth it!

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3654.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/IMG_3654.jpg.html)

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3651.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/IMG_3651.jpg.html)

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3655.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/IMG_3655.jpg.html)

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3656.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/IMG_3656.jpg.html)

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3659.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/IMG_3659.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: Hamster_Hero on November 24, 2015, 02:38:49 PM
Good job dude.   O0

But I would have prefer that long shelf be cleared of toys, etc sitting on top of it.  AND maybe perhaps replace the fish tank with a mini bar in the corner instead complete w/ a mini fridge full of beer.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on November 24, 2015, 05:00:21 PM
Good job dude.   O0

But I would have prefer that long shelf be cleared of toys, etc sitting on top of it.  AND maybe perhaps replace the fish tank with a mini bar in the corner instead complete w/ a mini fridge full of beer.

thanks. still some have minor tweaks and touch ups on the decors. maybe popcorn maker or mini fridge.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: SummerBerry on November 25, 2015, 11:14:45 AM
You did a good job and the color of the paint or the room look so much better.  My boys was like it look like our dentist office because of the ceiling.  Their dentist office theme is air space, astronaut, etc. 

All those sport player frame just remind me of my oldest daughter sports medicine doctor that has plenty autograph of nba and nfl players plastered in his office. He's a known top sport medicine doctor. 
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: Ron Burgundy on December 03, 2015, 05:13:24 PM
Looks awesome! O0

But I would prefer all wall and ceiling mounted for the surrounds to eliminate the need for floor standing speakers, since you had that capability from the get go.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on December 07, 2015, 08:50:14 AM
Looks awesome! O0

But I would prefer all wall and ceiling mounted for the surrounds to eliminate the need for floor standing speakers, since you had that capability from the get go.

i was going to do all ceiling/wall mounted but didn't want to throw away my existing tower speakers. i ran the speaker wires in the ceiling and down the wall, and can install ceiling/wall speakers in the future if i wanted to.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on December 14, 2015, 09:59:31 AM
updates.

added some final touches over the weekend. calling it done! maybe. took some wide images with the gopro. i think it turned out okay, not too cheesy :)

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/GOPR0347.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/GOPR0347.jpg.html)

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/GOPR0350.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/GOPR0350.jpg.html)

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/GOPR0345.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/GOPR0345.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: Ron Burgundy on December 14, 2015, 01:10:17 PM
Looks great! O0




Is there a powered sub in the back?? :dontknow:
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on December 14, 2015, 02:17:54 PM
i put a small 8" yamaha sub under the white outlet by the window in the second pic. it's connected to wireless receiver/sender. i'm not a sound guy so still trying to calibrate the speakers/sub.

there are 2 ways to control the volume of the sub. the sub has its own volume control in the back. the av receiver has sub volume control in the menu. do i turn the menu volume to max and then adjust the volume manually on the back of the sub, or do i set the sub volume in the back to max, and then control the volume from menu? make any sense? :)
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on December 14, 2015, 02:24:59 PM
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll162/s_lor/IMG_3702.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/s_lor/media/IMG_3702.jpg.html)

i don't think i could ever go back to a smaller screen. playing star wars battlefront, watching the walker go by is as real as it can get. the house rattles as gunfire echo across the room, is a fun experience. wish you guys can come play and watch with me  O0
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: Superan on December 14, 2015, 02:34:03 PM
Man, bro... You have a small family. Looks nice!
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on December 14, 2015, 02:54:42 PM
Man, bro... You have a small family. Looks nice!

thanks. large family back at hometown, here is just 5 of us. living away from family is a good and bad thing. lonely sometimes but you learned to make the best of your time.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: Superan on December 14, 2015, 04:14:47 PM
thanks. large family back at hometown, here is just 5 of us. living away from family is a good and bad thing. lonely sometimes but you learned to make the best of your time.


I need a man cave like yours.  O0 how about you come help me when you come to twin cities.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on December 14, 2015, 04:29:54 PM
i'm no expert but from this little project, i've learned a lot and will help in any way possible. let me know when you're ready to build  O0
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: km1 on December 23, 2015, 03:01:54 PM
Great job there. I was wondering what kind of equipment you currently have? Did you installed bass traps behind those walls or just standard drywall?
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: Ron Burgundy on December 24, 2015, 02:52:30 PM
i put a small 8" yamaha sub under the white outlet by the window in the second pic. it's connected to wireless receiver/sender. i'm not a sound guy so still trying to calibrate the speakers/sub.

there are 2 ways to control the volume of the sub. the sub has its own volume control in the back. the av receiver has sub volume control in the menu. do i turn the menu volume to max and then adjust the volume manually on the back of the sub, or do i set the sub volume in the back to max, and then control the volume from menu? make any sense? :)

The sub has an actual volume or gain knob?:dontknow:  Either way, I'd turn the sub knob 1/4 - 1/2 up with the receiver setting at zero and then increase the receiver boost to your liking.  That way there's room to increase output directly at the sub when Dre Day comes on.  O0 ;D

For my 5.1, I like my center close to fully maxed out since that's the most important channel when the surround is on.  I'll increase the fronts a little and more boost for the surrounds as I want a really nice surround effect.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on January 04, 2016, 10:45:33 AM
Great job there. I was wondering what kind of equipment you currently have? Did you installed bass traps behind those walls or just standard drywall?

just some beginner's equipment; yamaha rec, 8" yamaha sub, polk 5.1 speakers. no i didn't put any insulation in the wall.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on January 04, 2016, 11:09:04 AM
The sub has an actual volume or gain knob?:dontknow:  Either way, I'd turn the sub knob 1/4 - 1/2 up with the receiver setting at zero and then increase the receiver boost to your liking.  That way there's room to increase output directly at the sub when Dre Day comes on.  O0 ;D

For my 5.1, I like my center close to fully maxed out since that's the most important channel when the surround is on.  I'll increase the fronts a little and more boost for the surrounds as I want a really nice surround effect.

sub has volume control. i set the sub control to high and receiver to low.
Title: Re: Man Cave - Theater Room Renovation
Post by: slude on January 04, 2016, 11:15:33 AM
damn that's awesome..

How much did you spend?

have about 50+ receipts from home depot/menards, and various online stores, total close to $5k. i spent most on equipment and gadgets. the building materials cost around $1k that's b/c i chose to do trims and 3 diff colors. the optic fiber star ceiling is $280 not including the panels and led strip light.