A basement makes a great home theater if you plan for water. In this Northern New Jersey theater, Ryan Herd added a sump pump, sealed the walls and floor, and built hatches so the owners can reach trouble spots fast.
Basements are a prime spot for home theaters. They’re away from the rest of house so you can decorate them as you like and crank the audio without bothering anyone. They’re also a blank canvas, giving you and your contractor the liberty to build them out however you want. On the flip side, there’s always a possibility that the room could flood, and with few (if any) windows or doorways, it could be difficult to escape the room should you need to leave the house quickly. These were a few of the concerns Ryan Herd of 1 Sound Choice faced when building and designing a home theater for clients in northern New Jersey. While most of the newly dug basement’s water issues stemmed from poor grading on the exterior of the house, Herd installed a sump pump and sealed the concrete walls and floor with Drylok masonry paint for extra protection. Still, accidents do happen, and in the event that water did seep into the basement, Herd wanted to be sure that the homeowners could get to the source of the problem quickly. Cleverly designed hatches and doorways became his weapons of defense. For example, the tiered features a hatch that opens should the homeowners need to get to the concrete surface in the event of a flood. A door built into stage beneath the 119-inch Screen Innovations screen, meanwhile, provides quick and easy access to the sump pump that Herd installed there. Access to the home’s plumbing system and wiring was also considered during the build out. For this, Herd designed 4-by-8-foot panels for the ceiling that could be easily removed one piece at a time. Made of acoustical material and finished with fiber optic lights, the panels also help soundproof the room and provide a decorative touch. A larger acoustical panel on the wall pops off to reveal a window that can be used as a fire escape. (Click Here to view the rest of this article on ElectronicHouse.com)Want the family room ready for game day? See our family room game day page.
What One Sound Choice clients say
The service was timely, the process was easy and I’m very satisfied…the theatre came out phenomenal. The picture (quality) is phenomenal. The equipment (Ryan) recommended was fantastic and he was involved in the entire process (from the very beginning).
– Mr. & Mrs. Shatz (1 Sound Choice client testimonials)
Ryan listened to us – he understood what we wanted to accomplish. (The 1 Sound Choice team’s) commitment to post-installation support and service has been unbelievable. They are professionals in every aspect and have gained our trust throughout the completion of our project.
– Mr. & Mrs. Maytin (1 Sound Choice client testimonials)
We hired Ryan from One Sound Choice to install a movie theater in home we were building. His expertise was invaluable. In addition to being an informed person about every aspect of the theater, walls, insulation, lighting, seating, installation of the walls, screen and all of the equipment in the back room, he became a trusted contractor and we have complete faith in his work. Our movie theater is amazing to look at, sit in, and enjoy movies. If any work is needed as it is periodically Ryan is very reliable. Feel free to ask Ryan for photos of the room. Dr. and Mrs. Steven Stoller Saddle River, New Jersey
– ann327 (Houzz review)
Basement theater safety questions
Why are basements good for home theaters?
They are away from the rest of the house, so you can turn the sound up and design it how you like.
How was water kept out?
A sump pump was added, and the walls and floor were sealed with masonry paint.
Why build hatches into a theater?
So the owners can reach the floor or the sump pump fast if water gets in.
Where was the sump pump access?
Through a door built into the stage under the screen.
One Sound Choice, 8 Tilley Ave, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444. Call or text (973) 945-5275. We work in homes across Morris, Passaic, Bergen, Essex, Somerset, and Hunterdon counties. Written by Ryan Herd, founder of One Sound Choice.