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Pimping Out a New House
Jason Michael Perry writes "I just got pre-approved to buy some gutted property in New Orleans. A lot of the houses I'm looking at are blank canvases that need new wiring, new walls, new everything. I've always dreamed of a high-tech house that says my name when I walk in the door and now is my chance to get a close as I can with current technology. So I'm looking for ideas to pimp out a newly renovated house with all the best technology. If you had a blank canvas to start with, what would you do? Run CAT-5 or fiber optics? Build a closet for servers and A/V equipment? Build a 7.1 speaker system into the living room walls and ceilings? Install automated lights and intercom (with support for Apple equipment)? How about appliances, the kitchen, and other spots... what cool tech can I use there? My only rules and requirements are support for the four Macs I have in the house, and reasonable support for technology on the fringes."
Step one is not getting stuck whatever happens. .. you will cuss :)
Passing wire is nice but when it's time to add
and change things around
think : conduits
Whatever you put in for the a/v and the networking
think ahead and pass it under conduits.You can then
change wiring easily.
Also think ahead and so pass networking cable to most
device locations at the same time you pass the other
cables. Most projectors, video, and audio devices are moving in that direction.
I highly recommend to plan ahead for automation like
amx or crestron. it's not only fun , it's also very
usefull to have. If you love high tech , just take a
look that way.
Ric
Having just built, here was my list
- Do not use wooden I beams, uses floor trusses.
- Run conduit if you can, otherwise use flexible tubes. I agree with the string idea, it works great. Just make sure to label the strings and run your design by a contractor before cutting holes in 2x4s. A conduit hole sometimes will reduce the structural integrity of the wood and you will not pass inspection. Most holes also have to be fire proofed by packing the outside with caulk.
- 10' ceilings in the basement. It gives you room to finish with drop ceilings or drywall with room for vents. It is normally only about another $3000 - $5000 and adds more value than that upon resale.
- Don't run a single water heater, use two tankless ones on each side of your house for fast, efficient hot water.
- Ask your heating/cooling contractor about zoning your house if it is over 2700 sq. Depending on your climate it is worth the extra payment to have properly heated/cooled rooms.
- A central vacuum system with the unit in the garage. Easy to empty as your trash cans are right there. Also doubles as your car vacuum.
- 4' wide stairways. Especially into the basement (if you do not already have a walk out basement with a patio door). It is much easier to bring up stuff from your shop or move furniture.
- I put in-wall speakers for my surround sound. I wish I had used wall mount. Only use ceiling mounted in-wall speakers. Of course you will have to know EXACTLY where your furniture will be: it makes a big difference.
- I ran a lot of CAT 5e and I use only two of them. Everything else uses wireless. Even my security system is wireless with an internal cellular modem. You can run it, but I doubt you will use all the wires. I can get an "excellent" signal in my whole 1.25 acre property with my single draft-N router.
- Go to a lighting specialist with your plans and make sure you look REALLY hard at where you want your lights. It make a huge difference.
- Do the same with your electrical. Place your furniture and look at placing floor outlets, outlets above your fireplace mantle, above your cabinets, inside tiered crown moulding (rope lights for accent), etc.
Just remember. Pimping out the electronics may makes you and your geek friends happy. Designing lighting, electrical, and convienence items (closet systems, central vac, etc.) makes the other 90% of the world love it. Oh, and don't forget to budget for landscaping. That was another $55K for me.