Home theaters systems have become a popular part of many homes, as larger screens and more powerful stereos make it possible to recreate the experience of the movies right in your own living room. In fact, many homeowners are even devoting entire rooms to their home theaters, installing theater style seating, complete surround sound systems and truly massive screens. The basement is the perfect spot for this type of home theater, offering plenty of open space and a naturally dark environment that allows movies to appear clearer and more vibrant.

The first element to consider in your home theater is the screen. There are two main routes you can take, either a flat screen TV or a projector, both of which have their own strengths and weaknesses. TVs provide a clear picture and image quality isn’t impacted by ambient light, however they are often too heavy for the walls or subfloor of a finished basement. Projectors on the other hand are more compact and lighter than TVs, but require a large screen (usually 80″ or more) to provide a clear picture and can be difficult to view around other light sources. Generally, these features make projectors the preferred choice for basement home theaters, where weight is generally more problematic than light interference. It’s also initially more cost effective per inch of screen to use a projector, and modern specialty paints make it possible to use them on a wall without the need for a specialized screen. However, the powerful bulbs used in these projectors can cost $300 or more to replace and must be regularly replaced, so over time their cost can increase.

The other important element of remodeling your basement into a home theater is the sound system. These systems are generally labeled based on the number of speakers and number of subwoofers in the system, for example 5.1 indicating 5 speakers and 1 subwoofer. As a rule of thumb, the more speakers in a system, the more immersive the sounds they can produce, however most modern movies are encoded for a 7.1 format, providing a diminishing returns for larger system. While the number of speakers contribute to how immersive the sound in your theater is, it’s also important to consider the response, wattage and range of your speakers. Faster response times provide better sound clarity, more wattage allows for louder sounds and a broader range allows for a wider variety of sounds to be generated.

Once you’ve gotten these two crucial elements for your basement remodeling project, you can start filling in the little details. Acoustic tiles, wall coatings and sound proofing insulation can help movie watchers enjoy the show without interference and keep the sound from bothering those in the main house. You may also want to consider adding in extras like movie theater-style seating, a popcorn machine, snack bar and other small features to create a fully immersive experience.

While it’s possible to create these theaters on your own, it’s often easier to get some professional help. Basement finishing contractors can help you install the various components need to remodel your basement, ensuring your new theater is protected from dangers like water damage. Specialty audio video contractors can then install, wire and fine tune your theater system to ensure it operates at peak performance. With this help, you’ll soon be enjoying movies and TV shows just like you would in your local megaplex.

Christopher Behan is a professional writer specializing in the home improvement industry. His writing focuses on basement remodeling, replacement windows, sunrooms, and other home remodeling products and services, and his work has been featured on multiple home improvement websites.

Christopher Behan is a professional writer specializing in the home improvement industry. His writing focuses on basement remodeling, windows, sunrooms, and other home remodeling products and services. His work has been featured on multiple home improvement websites. http://www.1800basement.com/

Author Bio: Christopher Behan is a professional writer specializing in the home improvement industry. His writing focuses on basement remodeling, replacement windows, sunrooms, and other home remodeling products and services, and his work has been featured on multiple home improvement websites.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: basement remodeling