Re: pre-wire home - best practices?

["John J. Bengii" <nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Nice. I am beginning to think about those items in my house, in
progress. I have a stand up spot the full length of the house and
around the corner. I need to float some planks above the insulation
levels for full access. OTOH. mine is a one story and the walls are
usually always accessible with difficulty.

"Frank Olson" <use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
message news:j7Dej.60897$DP1.5734@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> John J. Bengii wrote:
>> Don't bother with rg59 cables. Use RG-6 which is capable of
>> satelite signal bandwidth also. Same connections.
>>
>> Dual cat5e (I think will handle 1Gbit) is a good idea. Just install
>> plaster rings and staple a loop above it on the studs. Dummy plate
>> the plaster rings off after drywall installation. If you ever need
>> them, pull out the cable from the stud cavity and put a connector
>> on both ends for use. If you don't ever use them, it will only cost
>> you the wire and plaster ring (about $0.79). Leav lots of cable in
>> the wall cavity for a direct connection to your entertainment
>> server or computer. Forget the fancy wall connections. They cost
>> big bucks and make another weak spot in your connections
>>
>> If you are building a two story or split level the upper floor is
>> hard to access after the fact. Intsall a couple pieces of plastic
>> pipe from attic to basement where you can put later cables through
>> to the attic and drop to the needed place via the interior walls.
>> You will need a to find a way to suspend the pipe so it doesn't
>> fall through. Usually an exact sized hole and have the flange
>> (female end) hang in the hole. Plug/tape  the ends for insulation
>> and bug purposes. If you ever need another connection in the upper
>> floor, attic diving will get your there. Wear a dust filter mask!
>>
>>
>> Don't forget you back speakers and ceiling allows everybody to hear
>> with both ears. Mine bounce off the back wall for an enhanced delay
>> and lower sound image that is actually behind you.
>>
>> Heavy speaker wire? Cheap extension cords with heavy gauge wire
>> used to be cheaper than buying the wire on a spool. Cut the ends
>> off. Even drill all the holes and put a pull string in for later
>> use. Make it a good one and pull another one with the new
>> conductor, when you need it.
>>
>> Check out the price and life of those projector bulbs. $600 each
>> and 2000 hours max life turned me off. YMMV There is a product
>> called "goop" that can be painted on walls to avoid the $2K for a
>> projector screen. Rim it with black felt trim so light spillover is
>> not seen.
>
>
> Also...  If the OP has any input at all as to where the attic access
> point is, try to make it in an area of the roof that you can
> actually stand up in (or where don't have to crouch and risk having
> the roofing nails "hook you" or worse as you try to get inside).
> One customer built a 8' x 8' square "landing pad" around the hatch.
> He achieved this by nailing down 5/8" plywood on top of the joists
> (after filling the space underneath with insulation batting).  He
> also provided a couple of convenient plug ins for work lights (which
> were controlled by a light switch in the access closet).  Nicest
> attic I ever worked in.